Depression can happen to anyone. Feeling blue, however, does not mean being depressed. Depression is an illness with severe symptoms that impair our ability to function. Some signs should alert us and lead us to consult with a professional.

Am I depressed?

People often misuse “I feel depressed” to describe feelings of sadness or grief. Sadness and grief are healthy emotional responses to adverse life circumstances. Depression goes beyond feelings of sadness. It is a disabling state of suffering that can impair one’s ability to function and damage family, social, and professional relationships. It is this confusion between sadness and depression that can lead individuals suffering from the disorder to overlook their symptoms and experience guilt for not being able to feel better.

 

A person with clinical depression will have several, but not necessarily all, of these symptoms. One can suffer from a depressive disorder without experiencing feelings of sadness and despair or only show physical symptoms such as low energy, changes in appetite, or poor sleep. Some sufferers may experience irritability or anger. Others may isolate, withdraw, or let go of their hobbies. In any case, it is difficult to establish your own diagnosis or that of a loved one. Therefore, it is preferable to consult with a mental health professional.

Why am I depressed?

Depression is a complex disorder with causes rooted in genetic vulnerability, biology, environment, stressors, and lifestyle.

Genetics

We have known for a long time that depression can run in families. Scientists have shown that some genetic variations are associated with a higher risk of depression. These genetic variations affect, for instance, the production of certain chemicals in the brain that have an influence on our propensity to experience positive emotions. These findings do not mean, however, that clinical depression is a genetic disorder.  Depression typically arises from a conjunction of other causes and people with these genetic vulnerabilities are simply more at risk of developing depression when confronted with these other factors.

Environmental and physical factors

The most important of these other factors are environmental. Stressful or traumatizing events can trigger depression or increase vulnerability to depression. There is an infinity of stressful events that can contribute to depression. They may be traumatic events such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. It could be the loss of a loved one, through death or separation, especially when unexpected. It can be stressful events such as financial instability, legal problems, relationship difficulties, etc. Also, physical conditions can increase the risk of developing depression. Chronic pain, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances coming from physical illnesses have been associated with a higher risk of depression. The list is endless and each of us reacts differently to these hardships.

Personality

Our beliefs and views about life and the world will have a strong influence on our susceptibility to depression. In the same situation, two individuals will react differently. Their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors will be different. Some people are more vulnerable to depression because of the way they approach life. For instance, people with pessimistic tendencies or who are prone to black and white thinking are more likely to develop depression.

Seasons

Finally, the lack of exposure to sunlight can contribute to depression. Seasonal changes in sunlight affect the internal biological rhythms of individuals, especially if they live at higher latitudes. These disruptions can trigger chemical imbalance in the brain and lead to depressive episodes.

Treatments for depression

Treatments for depression aim at helping individuals restore a biological, social, and psychological balance and stability to their lives. There are different types of therapies and most of them are more effective when combined with others.

Medications

Depressive disorders are illnesses that affect the brain. Perceptions, thoughts, and emotions arise from messages traveling within our nervous system and between our organs through hormones and neurotransmitters. Among those, we find that melatonin, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are linked to depression. When we are depressed, these molecules do not fulfill their role as they should, either because they are not produced in enough quantity or because something is preventing them from transmitting signals. Antidepressant medication can help address these chemical imbalances and they are the medications that are most often prescribed for depression. Sometimes, other classes of medications (anti-anxiety, hypnotic, or antipsychotic medications) are used, especially when the depression is severe and persistent⁶. Prescriptions are issued by psychiatric providers and primary care physicians.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy is a procedure in which small electric currents are passed through the brain while patients are under anesthesia, intentionally triggering a short seizure. It is particularly effective for treatment of persistent depression.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS is a non-invasive technique where a magnetic field applied through the skull stimulates or inhibits brain cells. It typically requires 25 to 30 treatment sessions. This treatment has been shown to ease persistent depression, although the underlying mechanisms of its effectiveness are still unknown.

Psychotherapies

Psychotherapy is a generic name applied to various techniques, based upon scientific approaches, that allow elimination, control, or adaptation to symptoms so that individuals can restore an ability to function, feel better, and heal.

 

Ready to enjoy your life again?