What is Depression?
Depression is something that affects many Americans each year. It is classified as a mood disorder meaning that disturbance in mood is its predominant feature. Depression can affect one's mood, physical functioning, and social functioning.
Many people have difficulty differentiating between depression and sadness. Sadness is something that is short-term and does not usually affect one's daily life or normal functioning. Depression usually lasts at least two weeks and can last up to years at a time if it is not treated. Treating depression as soon as it is recognized is much more advantageous than waiting until the symptoms are exacerbated and more difficult to control.
General definition of depression:
Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that will interfere with normal life and daily functioning. It usually lasts at least two weeks or longer and will most likely require some form of treatment.
More precise definitions of depression:
Depression is centered on a sense of loss.
The depressed person feels that they have lost something that is essential for their happiness or survival.
Depression can also be defined as feeling that the gap between where you are in life and where you think you should be is too great.
Symptoms of Depression and Statistics
- Depressed or irritable mood.
- Lack of interest in pleasure from any or all activities.
- Significant weight loss or weight gain.
- Increased or decreased appetite.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Lack of interest in sexual activity.
- Excessive feelings of hopelessness or guilt.
- Inability to think clearly or concentrate.
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
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14.8 million (6.7%) adult Americans are affected by Major Depressive Disorder in a given year.(Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun; 62(6) : 617-27)
Women experience depression at twice the rate of men.(Journal of the American Medical Association, 1996)
Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of the 30,000 suicides reported every year in the U.S.(White House Conference on Mental Health, 1999)
Despite its high treatment success rate, nearly two out of three people suffering with depression do not actively seek nor receive proper treatment.(Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance, 1996)
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How Does Marriage Counseling Work?
Causes of Depression
There can be many different causes of depression because each individual is unique and can perceive life events differently than others. Listed below are some of the specific events that may cause depression (this is not a complete list):
- Problems within a close relationship.
- Failure to attain an important goal.
- Job loss.
- Financial Stress.
- Unexpected physical disability.
- Death of a loved one.
- Loss of reputation or social status.
Listed below are some of the more insidious events that may cause depression:
- Gradual withdrawal of affection from a loved one.
- Continual dissatisfaction with what one expects and what one actually receives.
- Consistent ridicule from other people.
Treatment for Depression
Even though depression can be a debilitating illness, it is highly treatable.
Up to 80% of those treated for depression show an improvement in their symptoms generally within 4-6 weeks of beginning medication, psychotherapy, attending support groups or a combination of these treatments. (National Institute of Health, 1998).
Counseling and psychotherapy is extremely beneficial for treating depression. A good counselor or psychotherapist will help one to figure out what the root cause of depression is. The root cause of depression will always be an emotional or psychological in nature, not medical. Psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants are a palliative treatment approach to depression. This means that they only work to eliminate the symptoms of depression and will not “cure” depression. Many people find that psychotropic drugs can provide relief from symptoms and help them to get to a point where counseling or psychotherapy can be more effective but, the drugs will not work on solving the root cause. Once the root cause is identified, talking through the emotions and/or psychological problems will help one to manage or overcome the depression.
How Counseling & Psychotherapy Can Help
- Get to the roots of your personal issues.
- Let go of pain & unrealistic expectations.
- Communicate more effectively.
- Discuss personal issues in a safe and confidential environment.
- Learn to stop repeating the same mistakes.
