If you or your loved one are struggling with depression, Vermilion is here to help. Learning about depression can help you or your loved one manage its symptoms.

Understanding Depression

Learn about depression

Depressive disorders can affect people of all ages, at all different stages of life. While sadness is something that everyone experiences, people who have a depressive disorder experience such profound, prolonged, and persistent feelings of sadness and despair that it leads to dysfunction in many areas of their lives. Individuals suffering from depression will find it difficult to make it through the day without experiencing overwhelming feelings of distress. These individuals are likely to isolate themselves, have difficulty sleeping, experience a change in their eating patterns, no longer care about their appearance, and lack the ability to experience pleasure. While the effects of depression can be devastating, with proper treatment, individuals can find relief from their symptoms and resume living a happy, productive life.

Statistics

Depression statistics

As one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders, depression is believed to affect one in ten people in the United States. Yet, it is said that only 52% of those suffering from a depressive disorder actively seek treatment. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that major depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44. The CDC has also reported that 15 of every 100 adults over the age of 65 are diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for depression

There is not any one identified cause that leads to the onset of a depressive disorder. Rather, it is believed by professionals in the field that a combination of genetic, physical, and environmental factors play a role in the development of depression. These factors may include:

Genetic: There is believed to be a strong genetic link in the development of depression because the illness is known to run in families. Research has shown that 40% of depressive disorder diagnoses have a hereditary tie.

Physical: Through neuroimaging studies, it has been shown that people who have depression have structural differences in the areas of the brain that regulate sleep, appetite, and behavior. Additionally, imbalances in neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that regulate emotions, are also said to play a role in the development of depressive symptoms.

Environmental: It is believed by many that experiencing certain life events, such as significant traumas or the loss of a loved one, can lead to the development of depression. Spending a great deal of time in turbulent or stressful work, school, or home environments can also impact one’s susceptibility to developing depression.

Risk Factors:

Being female (reports state that women are 70% more likely than men are to develop a depressive disorder throughout their lifetimes)
Family history of depression
Family history of other mental illnesses
Personal history of mental illness
Presence of significant health problems
Chronic stress
Unemployment
Low socioeconomic status
Death of a loved one
Suffering from trauma, especially during childhood

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of depression

The signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe and debilitating and can look very different from person to person. Additionally, symptoms will vary in their pattern, severity, and frequency. While some individuals are more prone to either mania or depression, others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have rather frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over their lifetime. Some common signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Depressive episode:

Misses multiple days of work
Participates in self-harming behaviors
Spends a great deal of time in bed
Isolates oneself from family and friends
Makes suicide attempts

Manic episode:

Participates in high-risk behaviors
Hyper sexuality
Makes grandiose statements or behaves in a grandiose manner
Speaks rapidly
Acts impulsively
Acts out aggressively

Physical symptoms:

Depressive episode:

Noticeable weight gain or weight loss
Increased need for sleep
– crapes, cuts, bruises, or other marks indicative of self-harming behaviors

Manic episode:

Decreased need for sleep, sometimes going days without sleeping
Lack of appetite
Extreme fluctuations in body temperature

Cognitive symptoms:

Depressive episode:

Inability to think clearly
Inability to make decisions
Difficulty concentrating
Having visual or auditory hallucinations

Manic episode:

Racing thoughts
Poor concentration
Flight of ideas
Having visual or auditory hallucinations

Psychosocial symptoms:

Depressive episode:

Overwhelming feelings of guilt
Lowered self-esteem
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
Excessive feelings of worry and anxiety
Suicidal ideation

Manic episode:

Inflated self-esteem
Excessive irritability or agitation
Feeling as though one is invincible and that nothing can harm him or her
Prolonged periods of emotional excitability

Effects

Effects of depression

The effects of untreated depressive disorders can be far-reaching and long-lasting. Not only will they impact the individual suffering from the illness, but they can affect those in his or her life as well. Examples of various effects that can result from untreated depression can include: