I Am Overwhelmed By Depression - How To Overcome And Available Treatments

Content Warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention topics that include prescription medication, abuse of medication, and addiction. The information found in the article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have.

Major depressive disorder, which is also known as clinical depression, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. In the United States alone, it is estimated that, in 2017, 17.3 million adults and 3.2 million adolescents were struggling with depression. Despite being so prevalent, depression can be impairing and, sometimes, life-threatening, which is why it needs to be cared for immediately. This article will discuss how depression can be managed and even beaten, as well as what methods are used to treat it.

How is depression diagnosed?

Long after you asked yourself, "Am I depressed?" and realize that you in fact are depressed, although you already may know that you are depressed, based on how you feel and how it is affecting your life, it is important to discuss how major depression is diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association. These are a set of standards put in place for doctors and mental health professionals used to diagnose mental health conditions in patients accurately.

According to the DSM-5, an episode of major depression is defined as follows:

Five or more of the following A Criteria (at least one includes A1 or A2):

A1. Depressed mood-indicated by subjective report or observation by others (in children and adolescents, can be irritable mood).

A2. Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities-indicated by subjective report or observation by others.

A3. Significant (more than 5 percent in a month) unintentional weight loss/gain or decrease/increase in appetite (in children, failure to make expected weight gains).

A4 Sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia).

A5 Psychomotor changes (agitation or retardation) severe enough to be observable by others.

A6 Tiredness, fatigue, or low energy, or decreased efficiency with which routine tasks are completed.

A7 A sense of worthlessness or excessive, inappropriate, or delusional guilt (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).

A8 Impaired ability to think, concentrate or make decisions-indicated by subjective report or observation by others.

A9 Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255, and is available 24/7.

1. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
2. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drug abuse, a prescribed medication's side effects) or a medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).
3. There has never been a manic episode or hypomanic episode.
4. MDE is not better explained by schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders.

All of these symptoms must be new or have worsened over time, and have lasted for at least two weeks and persisted every day for most of the day. The reason why the last two are so important, especially D, is because that would warrant a different diagnosis and medication.

For example, If an episode of major depression is also coupled with manic or hypomanic symptoms, this would indicate bipolar disorder, not just depression. Individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder will require mood stabilizers and possibly antipsychotics, whereas if a person has depression by itself, an antidepressant will typically be prescribed.

Nonetheless, if this criterion matches what you are feeling, it advised that you make an appointment with your doctor so you can get help for your depression.

What is causing my depression?

Depression can be the response to the various circumstances such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, and being terminated from a job; however, in many individuals who are dealing with major depressive disorder, their feelings are unexplainable, and there may be no particular external event for how they feel.

For these individuals, brain chemistry may be to blame, and specific neurotransmitters, or a lack thereof, can cause people to become severely depressed without being heavily impacted by something troubling that has happened. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit information across the body, and in this case, the brain is the focus here.

One of the most prominent neurotransmitters that are associated with mood and well-being is serotonin, and this is one of the primary ones that will be adjusted through medication as a first-line treatment for clinical depression. For example, a lack of serotonin can be the reason why you are not enjoying activities that you once used to because it is associated with pleasure.

This is also why people may lose their appetite and sex drive when becoming depressed. It is also connected with sleep, which is something that can be compromised in a major depressive episode.

Another significant neurotransmitter that can be involved in depression is norepinephrine, and like serotonin, it can also be targeted with medication. Norepinephrine is associated with arousal and attention, which is why medication that increases its levels can help uplift a person's mood.

Lastly, low dopamine levels can also contribute to symptoms of depression; however, it is not typically targeted as a first-line treatment, like the previous two neurotransmitters.

In the next section, you will learn more about these specific types of prescription medications designed for these neurotransmitters, which help improve symptoms of depression.

Treating depression through pharmacological methods

Since neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine have a major role in how we feel and what our mood will be, severe depression is often correlated with a deficiency in one or more of these chemicals, which will need to be addressed through antidepressants such as:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
• Atypical Antidepressants

While this may seem foreign and possibly overwhelming to absorb, the most common drugs in this list will be the SSRIs and SNRIs. The majority of medications prescribed to those with major depression will belong to these classes. SSRIs, are quite diverse in its uses and is frequently recommended for people who have anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

There are several different individual drugs within each category, and if one does not work, your doctor or psychiatrist can provide you with a different one. For many people, the first medication they are given will work, whereas for others, there might be some trial-and-error. This also applies to the different categories as well - for example, if SSRIs or SNRIs do not work, which is somewhat rare, MAOIs and the other ones are available.

Many people are hesitant to try medication, either due to side-effects and other personal beliefs, but great strides have been made to make these drugs as safe as possible and to minimize side effects. This is especially true with SSRIs and SNRIs, and these are considered to be less burdensome than TCAs and MAOIs in terms of side-effects. Therefore, currently, the pros of using antidepressants outweigh the potential cons.

Note: Prescription medication should not be sought after without the guidance of a health professional. Before taking any prescription medication, consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action for you.

Non-pharmacological ways of addressing depression

Medication can be an effective way to combat depression, but so can other methods like therapy, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. In fact, people who choose to take advantage of both aspects can have significant improvements and positive outcomes. However, it is possible to beat depression without the use of drugs, and those that are not keen on using medication or do not have admission to a doctor will prefer to use other options.

Therapy can be an excellent outlet for those with depression because it can allow a person to talk about what is on their mind to a non-judgmental professional who can give advice, like talk therapy and counseling, and other methods can actively try to change how you feel and think about issues, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is designed to change a person's negative thinking patterns into ones that are positive and productive, and this type of treatment has been highly successful not only in treating those with depression, but it is also a primary method for helping people overcome anxiety and other conditions like OCD and PTSD.

Exercise is also another practical way to address depression because studies show that it is essential to a person physical and mental health, and it can aid in improving appetite, sleep habits, and overall mood. You may even find that you enjoy having some physical activity in your life, which makes it much easier to stick to a routine and stay consistent with it.

While medication can help you, especially if there is a chemical imbalance, it is things like exercise and therapy that will benefit you in the long-term because it will give you the skills to overcome depression and how you think about things instead of just controlling the symptoms.

Takeaway

If you have been struggling with severe depression and you have a hard time performing ordinary tasks and activities, you can put an end to it with the right support from your friends, family, a doctor, and a therapist.

If you are unsure where to find a counselor or therapist who specializes in depression, or don't know where to begin to look, Regain offers online sessions that are convenient and affordable and have helped countless individuals overcome their issues with depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions.

Hopefully, this article has encouraged you to take the initiative and seek the treatment that you deserve. Depression may have a tight grip on you right now, but with help, it will loosen, and you can regain control of your life and start enjoying it once more and never have to say the words "I am overwhelmed by depression" ever again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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