What Is Depression?

What is depression, you ask? Well, for starters, is one of the most common mental health disorders. If you or someone you know have depression then you know that it is not just feeling sad and it is definitely not something you can ‘just get over’. While it is common for all of us to feel down from time to time, it is not healthy or ‘normal’ to feel down more days than not. We all go through times when life throws us circumstances that are difficult to navigate and overwhelm us. However, when this happens it should not stay around for eternity. If you feel like you are suffering from depression, please keep reading to learn more about the causes and some false beliefs about it.

Causes of Depression

The causes of depression vary among each individual. There are several theories about what causes depression but two of the most commonly agreed upon are chemical imbalances and life circumstances.

Circumstances or ‘life happens’ depression will be an identifiable event. It is usually understandable and can happen to anyone. Examples include the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, an illness, and the list goes on and on. Circumstances vary greatly and are numerous.

Chemical imbalances are often termed ‘clinical’ and refer to an imbalance of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) found in the brain. The imbalance of neurotransmitters is often the cause of feeling depressed when the person can’t identify an external cause. When diagnosing depression, a professional will do a complete evaluation looking for trends, history, and other data to determine the cause and proper treatment.  

Myths

Myths about depression or mental illness are vast and hurtful to those of us who know what it feels like. For example, common myths include: depression isn’t that bad, it’s just attention seeking, they like self-pity, it’s not really a medical condition, just suck it up, and medication isn’t needed. This simply is not true and this extensively studied medical condition should be taken seriously. Studies identify that genetics and personality affect depression. However, the fact remains that it is real and disrupts the lives of many people.

Treatment

Depression can be treated and if you feel depressed, you should seek out professional advice. Your provider will complete a thorough exam and provide you with specifics related to you. Some official diagnoses could include Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.  There are several treatment options available ranging from talk therapy with a counselor to medication management with a psychiatrist. While depression is more prevalent in women, it affects everyone, so don’t think it couldn’t happen to you.

Depression left untreated can disrupt your life, as well as, those around you. It can steal away time for happiness, joy, and making wonderful memories and ultimately lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. Call your primary care provider for a consult. If you or someone you love is suicidal call the suicide and crisis lifeline @ 988 for help, now.