Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that can range from mild to moderate or severe.
It affects daily life by disrupting eating habits, sleep patterns, and social interaction. Moreover,
people may withdraw and feel isolated. Depression should not be linked directly to sadness. Feeling sad or grieving is a normal part of life. Everyone experiences sadness during difficult times, such as failing an exam, losing a job, or losing a loved one. The problem arises when this sadness persists and begins affecting daily functioning. Hence, daily activities, relationships, and self-care may suffer. When these feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and isolation continue for at least two weeks and interfere with normal life activities, it is called depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Here are some common symptoms of depression. These symptoms usually last for at least two weeks and can affect daily life in many ways.

• Feeling very sad or low most of the time
• Constant lack of energy or feeling tired easily
• Guilt and regret over past
• Sleep problems, such as not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
• Lack of appetite or over eating
• Feeling easily irritated or frustrated
• Repeated thoughts about death or suicide
• Suicide attempts
• Feeling worthless or having very low self-esteem
• Avoiding social interaction and withdrawing from others

What Triggers Depression?
Triggers are emotional, mental, or physical situations that can cause depression symptoms to start or come back.

Some common triggers include:

• Stressful life events, such as losing a loved one, family problems, or changes in personal relationships
• Stopping depression treatment too early, before fully recovering
• Medical issues, especially sudden health problems or long-term conditions like heart disease or diabetes

Causes of Depression

Depression usually doesn’t happen because of just one reason. It develops due to a mix of different factors, including genetic, biological, psychological, and social causes. Research shows that depression can run in families, so if a person has a genetic risk, they are more likely to experience it. Recent studies involving families, twins, and adopted individuals suggest that genetics plays an important role in the development of depression. Research shows that about 30–50% of the risk of developing this condition is inherited.

Changes in brain structure and low levels of certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, can also contribute to depression.

In addition, difficulties in handling psychological issues like feeling worthless, having negative thoughts, and poor mental health can increase the risk.

Social factors such as poor parenting, financial problems, childhood trauma, academic struggles, and social stigma also play a major role in causing depression.

What is Functional Depression/ Severe high functioning Depression?

Functional depression refers to the non-clinical concept, as is not officially diagnosed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR. This term is used to describe hidden symptoms of depression, such as sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in managing and performing daily responsibilities and work. You may look fine as you are fulfilling your daily life activities, but struggling with sadness, fatigue, hopelessness, and emotional pain, hence others, and maybe you can’t realize and notice the hidden symptoms. It reminds us to be kind even to those who seem strong, as they are fighting silent battles.

What are the reasons behind the increasing functional depression?

• We live in a culture where mental illness is considered a weakness or a bad thing, and hence, people are not supposed to talk about mental illness.
• People think depression is something shameful or a blow to their personality, and hence, people will abandon you.
• People are afraid that their job or family relationships, reputation with friends or work will not be disturbed.

Some people do not consider themselves comfortable showing vulnerability or perceived weakness. 

Depression in Women

Research shows that depression is more common in women than in men. The exact reasons for this difference are still unclear. However, gender-related factors are believed to play a direct or indirect role. Certain life stages, such as pregnancy, after childbirth, and menopause, can increase emotional vulnerability. Women who manage household responsibilities along with careers, especially without emotional support from a spouse or family, are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Support can make a real difference. Learning about the life stages they are going through helps build understanding. Taking time to listen without rushing to give advice matters. Sharing daily responsibilities like chores or childcare can ease their burden. Most importantly, encouraging them to talk to a doctor or mental health professional can help them take the first step toward healing.

Medications for Depression

Medication can play an important role in treating depression, especially in moderate to severe cases. Antidepressants work by affecting brain chemicals that influence mood. There are different types, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, and MAOIs, and each works in its own way. These medications should always be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. They often take time to show results, so patience is important. Stopping them suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and reduce their benefits. If someone wants to stop or change their medication, it’s best to speak with a doctor and follow a gradual plan.

Treatment of Depression

Depression is influenced by a mix of social, biological, and emotional factors, which is why its treatment depends on the underlying causes of the symptoms. There is no single treatment that works for everyone, as each person’s experience with depression is different. The approach to care varies based on what is contributing most to the condition. In many cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is considered the most effective way to manage depression. This balanced approach helps individuals cope better, regain stability, and live a more fulfilling life.

Below are some psychotherapies that are commonly used to treat depression along with prescribed medications.

Psychoeducation

It involves giving helpful information to people who are dealing with mental or physical health problems. It is often the first step in treating depression. This is because patients need to understand what is really causing their symptoms. When people learn that their struggles are linked to depression, it reduces confusion and fear. Psychoeducation helps them recognize their symptoms and understand the reasons behind them. It also prepares them to follow and trust the treatment plan.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT techniques are evidence-based methods to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and improve overall life satisfaction and functioning. Some techniques for dealing with depression are as follows:
Cognitive restructuring. It is a cognitive behavior therapy technique aimed at helping people identify thinking patterns responsible for negative moods and ineffective behavior. There are numerous
techniques employed during cognitive restructuring. The most common technique is
tracking dysfunctional thoughts on a thought record form, finding out cognitive
distortions, and devising healthier, more psychologically flexible patterns of thinking.
Activity scheduling. Activity scheduling is a cognitive behavior therapy technique designed to
help people increase behaviors they should be doing more. By identifying and
scheduling helpful behaviors, such as meditating, going for a walk, or working on a
project, it increases the likelihood of them getting done. Additionally, this technique is especially
helpful for people who do not engage in many rewarding activities due to depression.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) uses a structured, goal-oriented approach to help you work through problems in personal relationships and build healthier communication skills. It’s based on the idea that relationship conflicts or changes can deeply impact your emotional well-being — and may even trigger or worsen depression. IPT helps you identify unhelpful patterns in your relationships and gives you tools to break those cycles, reducing your vulnerability to depressive symptoms. Hence, Identifying these
Patterns mean you can focus on improving relationships, coping with grief, and finding new ways to get along with others.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

It focuses on relapse prevention after successful treatment for recurrent
episodes of major depression. It is based on the assumption that a person becomes
vulnerable to relapse because of repeated associations between sad mood and patterns
of negative thinking. The goal of MBCT is to help clients with depression learning how
to avoid relapses by not engaging in those automatic thought patterns that perpetuate
and worsen depression.

Concluding Remarks

Depression affects more than 300 million people around the world. It can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender, culture, or background. Today, it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It also adds a heavy burden to overall health. Even though effective treatments exist, less than half of the people who need help actually get it. The main reasons are limited resources, a shortage of trained professionals, and the stigma around mental health. This is why awareness matters so much. Talking openly about depression, its signs, and treatment options can truly change lives and, in some cases, even save them.