Depression, anxiety & mood

Understanding the symptoms of depression

Depression includes a range of normal negative emotions, and most women experience symptoms of depression at some point in their lives. However, clinical depression differs significantly from situational or mild depression, even though some of the symptoms can be the same. There are several types of depression, some of which are mood disorders, and it is important to understand where your symptoms fit in so that you can find the best help for depression. Here are some of the symptoms of depression of all types.

Symptoms of depression

• Overwhelming, persistent feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt or despair
• Feelings of worthlessness
• A sense of numbness or hollowness
• A loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, often including sex
• Decreased energy, dullness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Irritability
• Disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia or not being able to get out of bed
• Overeating and weight gain
• Reduced appetite and weight loss

Mild or situational depression

In mild or situational depression these symptoms ebb and flow and eventually lift. They are usually appropriate reactions to an identifiable cause, such as going through a major life transition, experiencing a crisis, loss or trauma, or placing too much physical stress on the body. Women also often experience post-partum depression or depression as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Many women are affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD), in which their symptoms of depression consistently follow a seasonal pattern.

Mood disorders

The difference between these mild or temporary types of depression and clinical depression is that mood disorder symptoms are more severe, and there isn’t usually a clear cause of depression. For people with clinical depression (called major depressive disorder or MDD), the symptoms are debilitating and often develop spontaneously. Mood disorder symptoms do not let up, and can spiral into a full-blown, entrenched mental health crisis.

Major depression is often accompanied by suicidal thoughts, obsession with death, or suicide attempts. If you or someone you know has these thoughts or feelings, or has considered or attempted suicide, you should find help immediately — don’t wait to see if the symptoms improve. Seek the advice of your doctor or a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker.

People with severe MDD sometimes experience psychotic symptoms. In this case, medical treatment is necessary.

Another form of clinical depression is dysthymia, also called double depression. Dysthymia is diagnosed as chronic depression that lasts for more than two years. The symptoms are not necessarily as severe as those of MDD, but are more persistent.

Some people experience bouts of depression, either mild or severe, interspersed with periods of intense energy or impulsivity. This is a sign of a mood disorder called manic depression or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is relatively rare but can become very debilitating without treatment. If you are having or have had symptoms of mania such as excessive energy, loss of the need for sleep, sudden and dramatic increases in productivity or creativity, periods of impulsive behavior, or feelings of grandiosity and invincibility, you should talk to a mental health expert or your doctor.

Treatments for depression

For people with major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or bipolar disorder, antidepressants or mood stabilizing drugs are usually an important part of their treatment. However, patients with these diagnoses will also benefit from additional, more holistic approaches that include examining lifestyle and diet. Be sure to discuss your symptoms of depression with your doctor or mental health provider.

Women experiencing the common types of depression that are mild or temporary can often find relief through alternative treatments for depression. For more information on depression relief without antidepressant medications, and why that might be the choice for you, please read our full article on antidepressants.

Finally, chronic physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and pain can be an indication of depression, but may be symptoms of an underlying physical condition that warrants further testing. Before taking antidepressants for these symptoms you should get a second opinion. Integrative medical practices (those that combine alternative and conventional medicine) are very successful at finding the true source of these seemingly mysterious ailments. (For more information see our article on how to make alternative medicine work for you.)

 

Last Modified Date: 04/18/2011