Skip Navigation Link
secslider

Major Depressive Disorder and Related Conditions

Depression Resources

Everyone has days where they feel blah, down, or sad. Typically, these feelings disappear after a day or two, particularly if circumstances change for the better. People experiencing the temporary "blues" don't feel a sense of crushing hopelessness or helplessness, and are able, for the most part, to continue to engage in regular activities. For people dealing with depressive disorders, negative feelings linger, intensify, and often become crippling. With normal sadness, people are still able to experience pleasure when positive events happen. With depressive disorders, the hopelessness and failure stay even when good things are happening. Other, more intense sorts of symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts and hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices), are also often present. These symptoms suggest that serious varieties of depression may be present, including the subject of this center: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or (more informally), Major Depression. Major Depression.

...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What is depression?

  • Major Depressive Disorder is a common yet serious medical condition that affects both the mind and body.
  • It creates physical (body), psychological (mind), and social symptoms.
  • Informally, we often use the term "depression" to describe general sadness. The term Major Depressive Disorder is defined by a formal set of medical criteria which describe symptoms that must be present before the label may be appropriately used.
  • According to the World Health Organization, depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 15% of people affected.
  • Depressive disorders are a leading cause of absenteeism and lost productivity.
  • We also know that people who are depressed cannot simply will themselves to snap out of it. Getting better often requires appropriate treatment.

For more information

What are the symptoms of depression?

  • Symptoms can vary a great deal from one person to the next. Typical symptoms include:
    • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
    • Being tired and have no energy
    • A dramatic change in appetite resulting in weight loss or gain
    • Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt
    • Inability to concentrate, think clearly, or make decisions
    • Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
    • Inactivity and withdrawal from typical pleasurable activities
    • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
    • Thoughts of suicide or death
  • Symptoms can also change over time, such as with someone who is initially withdrawn and sad becoming very frustrated and irritable as a result of decreased sleep and the inability to accomplish simple tasks or make decisions.
  • When depression is severe, people may even experience symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions.

For more information

What are the causes of depression?

  • The biopsychosocial model says that biological, psychological and social factors are all interlinked causes of depression.
  • Depression has been linked to problems or imbalances in the brain with regard to the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
  • A person who has a parent or sibling with depression is almost three times more likely to develop Major Depression than someone with no history of depression in their parents or siblings, which suggests that genetics play a role in the causes of depression.
  • Long-term stress that lasts for a year or more can affect the body's immune system and lead to an increased risk of developing physical illnesses and an increased likelihood of becoming depressed.
  • Psychological factors influencing depression include negative patterns of thinking, low coping skills, judgment problems, and difficulty in understanding and expressing emotions.
  • Personality factors, history and early experiences; and relationships with others are seen as important factors in causing depression.
  • People can also become depressed as a result of social factors such as: experiencing traumatic situations (a family death, divorce, job loss, abusive relationship, etc.), lack of social support/relationships, or harassment (bullying).

For more information

When should I seek help for depression?

  • If your depressed mood lasts for more than two weeks, or is seriously interfering with your ability to function at work, with your family, and in your social life, you should consult with a mental health professional as soon as possible.
  • If you find yourself thinking seriously about suicide, you should make an appointment with a mental health doctor (a psychiatrist, or psychologist) as soon as you can.
  • If you are feeling like you will commit suicide within hours or days unless you receive some relief, then skip making an appointment with a doctor and go immediately to your local hospital emergency room and tell them there that you are feeling suicidal.

For more information

How is depression diagnosed?

  • The diagnosis process often starts with a visit to a primary care doctor who may ask simple questions about your feelings and experiences.
  • A physical examination, medical history and lab tests will be done to determine if your depression is related to a physical condition.
  • If a physical condition is ruled out, then you should see a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who will talk with you to learn more about your current problems and symptoms, as well as to obtain a complete history of previous symptoms, a family history, a history of significant stressful life events, and information concerning your lifestyle, social support, alcohol or drug use, and any suicidal thoughts or tendencies you may be experiencing.
  • In order to compare your symptoms to those of other people in order to determine the severity of your symptoms, you may be asked to complete one or more standardized questionnaire forms.

For more information

How is depression treated?

  • It is important to know that depression is a HIGHLY treatable condition.
  • There is no single therapy that works equally well for every depressed person.
  • Depression is most often treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
  • Antidepressants help with some of the brain chemistry causes of depression. Typically this will include either a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil, or a SNRI (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), such as Wellbutrin or Effexor.
  • Psychotherapy helps people understand and then change the behavioral, cognitive and social patterns that cause or contribute to the depressed mood.
  • More severe cases of depression may require different and more frequent therapy than milder cases.
  • People with severe depression who may be engaging in self-destructive behavior, such as attempting suicide, refusing to eat, refusing to get out of bed, or may be showing signs of psychotic behavior, such as hallucinations and delusions, may require inpatient hospitalization.
  • People sometimes turn to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) techniques such as traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, and Herbal Therapy for relief from their symptoms. Very few of these approaches have been tested in clinical trials for depression, so there is often little scientific evidence to support these practices.
  • One of the best studied and most famous CAM remedies for depression is St. John's Wort, which is an herbal preparation of a plant extract. Research does support this as a stand-alone alternative treatment for depression and in parts of Europe this herb is often the preferred remedy for treating depression.
  • If you are interested in CAM approaches, the best plan is to consult with a qualified CAM practitioner who can help determine which combination of treatments, and in what dosages, would be most beneficial for you.

For more information

Are there self-help methods for depression?

  • Self-help approaches to treating depression are best thought of as additions to professional treatments.
  • People should not delay treating depression professionally, or attempt to treat it solely on their own.
  • The more that you take an active role in helping yourself recover, the better your chances of recovery are likely to be.
  • It is important to accept your diagnosis and to take the medications and other therapies that have been prescribed for you regularly.
  • Accept invitations to social events and maintain your typical social schedule as best you can even if you are not enjoying it as much as you used to.
  • One way to reduce the amount of stress you experience is to prioritize the demands you are facing and then to do only the most pressing tasks.
  • Talk about what is bothering you with a therapist or with friends or family members. If you don't feel comfortable talking, then keep a journal and vent through writing.
  • Regular physical exercise is thought to have an antidepressant effect.
  • One way to regain a sense of control is to educate yourself about your illness.
  • Choosing to make positive improvements in your sleep, eating, drug and alcohol use, exercise, social and spiritual habits can end up helping you improve your mood.

For more information


News Articles

  • Americans' Stigma Against Depression May Finally Be Fading: Study

    Americans may be dropping some of the stigma they once had toward depression, but attitudes toward other mental health conditions still seem stuck in the past, a new study shows. More...

  • Fish Oil Has No Effect on Depression, Study Finds

    Some experts recommend omega-3 fish oil supplements to help prevent depression in high-risk patients, but studies have yielded mixed results and there are no guidelines on using fish oil for that purpose in the general population. More...

  • Online Programs, Phone Apps Can Help Treat Depression

    People with depression symptoms might find some help from online programs or smartphone apps -- but the human component remains key, a new research review suggests. More...

  • Postpartum Depression Can Do Long-Term Harm to Women's Finances

    Besides its terrible impact on mental health, postpartum depression can also bring long-term financial struggles to affected women, new research shows. More...

  • Social Media Tied to Higher Risk of Depression

    The latest in a spate of studies investigating links between use of social media and depression suggests the two go hand in hand. More...

    • 35 More

    • AHA News: Researchers Start to Uncover the Pandemic's Impact on Mental Health

      Depression remained common during the pandemic and worsened for some people, according to a new study aiming to cast light on links between the pandemic and mental health. More...

    • Screening School Kids for Depression Boosts Diagnoses, Outcomes

      Schools could provide solutions for kids who are grappling with depression, a new study suggests. More...

    • After Clocks 'Fall Back' This Weekend, Watch Out for Seasonal Mood Changes

      As clocks are turned back an hour this weekend and it gets dark earlier, many people will begin grappling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). More...

    • Magnetic Brain Stimulation Helped Rid Him of Decades-Long Depression

      The treatment, called SAINT, is an intensive, individualized form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In the new trial, researchers worked with 29 individuals who had severe depression that was resistant to other treatments. More...

    • Vision Troubles Could Raise Midlife Depression Risk for Women

      Rates of eye problems and depression rise during midlife, but knowledge about how vision affects depression at that time has been limited. The new study identified a significant link between impaired vision and development of depression. More...

    • Antidepressants Plus Common Painkillers May Raise Bleeding Risk

      Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a mainstay of depression treatment, but a new study warns that taking common painkillers alongside SSRIs may raise the chances for intestinal bleeding. More...

    • Treating Depression Could Lengthen Lung Cancer Patients' Lives

      Persistent depression can significantly shorten lung cancer survival -- even if patients receive the latest cancer treatments, new research shows. More...

    • Depression in Early Life May Up Dementia Risk Later

      Happy young adults may be somewhat protected from dementia, but the reverse may be true, too: If you're a depressed young adult, your odds for dementia rise, a new study suggests. More...

    • First Year of Pandemic Saw Depression Rates Triple

      Depression rates rose three-fold among U.S. adults during the first year of the COVID pandemic, new research shows. More...

    • 'Personalized' Brain Zaps May Ease Tough-to-Treat Depression

      The new approach is called "closed-loop neuromodulation." By design, it's a highly individualized intervention, involving a multistep process. More...

    • Is Insulin Resistance a Recipe for Depression?

      Insulin resistance can make you more than twice as likely to develop major depression, even if you haven't developed full-blown diabetes, a new study reports. More...

    • Depression During Menopause: How to Spot It and Treat It

      Emotional changes in the run-up to menopause can sometimes lead to depression. More...

    • Could You Help Prevent a Suicide? Know the Warning Signs

      Suicide is the 10th leading overall cause of death in the United States, and number two among people between the ages of 10 and 34. More...

    • The Bigger the City, the Lower the Depression Rates?

      Americans living in big cities have relatively low rates of depression, despite the hustle and bustle -- or maybe because of it, a new study suggests. More...

    • Shock Therapy Safe, Effective for Tough-to-Treat Depression

      "Shock" therapy often helps lift severe depression, but fear and stigma can deter patients from getting it. Now a large new study is confirming the treatment's safety. More...

    • Depression Plagues Many Coal Miners With Black Lung Disease

      Mental health problems and thoughts of suicide are common among U.S. coal miners with black lung disease, a new study finds. More...

    • 1 in 4 People With Anxiety, Depression Couldn't Get Care During Pandemic

      In the middle of a pandemic that sent many Americans into bouts of emotional distress, one-quarter of them couldn't get counseling when they needed it the most, new research shows. More...

    • Dads of 'Preemie' Babies Can Be Hit by Depression

      Postpartum depression strikes fathers of premature babies more often than previously thought, and it can linger longer in fathers than in mothers, a new study finds. More...

    • Treating Teachers' Depression Could Boost Young Students' Grades: Study

      When depression strikes teachers, they can suffer mightily, but a new study suggests their students' ability to learn might also be harmed. More...

    • 'Laughing Gas' Shows Promise Against Tough-to-Treat Depression

      When antidepressants fail to rein in hard-to-treat depression, the common anesthetic most know as "laughing gas" might be a safe and effective alternative, new research suggests. More...

    • 'Early Birds' May Have Extra Buffer Against Depression

      Could getting out of bed just one hour earlier every day lower your risk for depression? More...

    • Tennis Star Naomi Osaka's 'Time Out' Highlights Common, Crippling Mental Health Issue

      On Tuesday, tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from the French Open. The reason: An ongoing battle with depression and anxiety. More...

    • Massive Gene Study Probes Origins of Depression

      Researchers who pinpointed 178 gene variants linked to major depression say their findings could improve diagnosis and treatment of a disorder that affects 1 in 5 people. More...

    • AHA News: Link Between Depression and Heart Disease Cuts Both Ways

      Feelings of depression following heart surgery -- or any type of cardiac event -- are common. But they also can substantially raise the risk for complications and even death. More...

    • AHA News: Depression and Anxiety Linked to Lower Levels of Heart Health in Young Adults

      Young adults with depression or anxiety may be more likely to have lower levels of cardiovascular health, new research shows. More...

    • Nothing to Sniff at: Depression Common for People With COVID-Linked Smell Loss

      Loss of the sense of smell and taste is often an early and enduring symptom of COVID-19. Now, research suggests that for many COVID survivors with long-term sensory loss, it's also depressing. More...

    • Pandemic Is Leading to More Depression for Pregnant Women Worldwide: Study

      Depression and other mental health problems have become much more common among pregnant women and new mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, an international study finds. More...

    • 'Non-Drug' Approaches Can Fight Depression in People With Dementia

      Exercise, mental stimulation and massage are among the drug-free therapies that are as good or better than medication in treating depression in dementia patients, researchers say. More...

    • Half of COVID Survivors Struggle With Depression: Study

      To the lingering damage of COVID-19 infection, add this side effect: New research shows that more than half of those sickened by COVID-19 report depression. More...

    • Depression Often Follows Stroke, and Women Are at Higher Risk

      The trauma and loss of stroke can often leave survivors with long-term depression, and women appear to be at special risk, new research shows. More...

    • As Lockdowns Cut Into Exercise Time, Depression Rates Are Rising

      Exercise has long been considered a "natural antidepressant." Now, research suggests that as lockdowns kept people from regular exercise, depression rates started to rise. More...

    • Common Antidepressants Won't Raise Risk for Bleeding Strokes: Study

      The most widely prescribed antidepressants in the United States don't appear to increase the risk of the deadliest type of stroke, according to a new preliminary study. More...

    • Feeling SAD? Here Are Ways to Ease Winter Blues

      The COVID-19 pandemic can make mental health struggles even worse for some people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). More...

    • Treating Mom's Postpartum Depression Could Help Baby's Brain, Too

      Talk therapy for new mothers with postpartum depression may also benefit their babies' brains, Canadian researchers say. More...

    • Preventive Intervention for Premature Infants Effective

      A home preventive care program for very premature infants and their caregivers results in improved behavioral and emotional regulation at age 2, as well as less depression and anxiety among caregivers, according to research published online June 14 in Pediatrics. More...

Share This

Resources

Topics