Overview
Feeling sad or anxious is considered normal, but for some, it becomes relentless and begins to impact their daily life. If this sounds familiar with the situation of someone you deeply care about, this article will assist you in understanding why their struggle should not be overlooked or downplayed.
Don’t let the fear of doing the “wrong thing” prevent you from offering your support. Your compassion could be the crucial factor in encouraging your loved one to seek help. Continue reading, and you will gain valuable insights into depression as a mental health condition, as well as practical guidance to support the one you cherish during this challenging time.
Types, Symptoms, and Impacts of Depression
Mental Health Awareness and Depression
People facing mental health challenges are often hesitant to disclose their struggles due to the stigma, judgment, and criticism associated with it. It is ironic that the pandemic has amplified mental health awareness as a somber response to the resulting mental health epidemic.
Increasing mental health awareness is expected to foster greater understanding of mental health conditions and their impact on individuals, encouraging people to openly discuss their struggles and seek help proactively.
Depressive disorder, also known as depression, is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, low self-worth, and significant impairment in daily functioning and life activities. [1]
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 21 million of US adults (or 8.3% of all US adults) had at least one major depressive episode in 2021. [2]
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a whole-body illness that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. At its core, depression involves symptoms like changes in sleep, appetite, interest in activities, concentration, and thoughts of death. [3] These core symptoms must last at least two weeks and cannot be attributable to normal grief, a medical condition, or substance use.
No one is immune to depression, while those who have experienced abuse, severe losses, or other stressful events tend to be more likely to develop depression. This mental health condition also tends to affect more women than men. [4]
Types of Depression
Depression may be classified as mild, moderate, and severe/major depression, depending on the types and severity of symptoms, frequency of occurrence, and potential symptom spikes. Healthcare providers usually consider more than a single factor in the process of classification evaluation. [5] The types of depression include the following:
- Major depression is a serious mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of interest.
- Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a chronic form of depression where a person experiences a depressed mood for most of the day for at least two years.
- Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
- Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth.
- Seasonal affective depression is a type of depression related to changes in seasons, typically starting in the fall and continuing into the winter months.
- Depression with symptoms of psychosis, also known as psychotic depression, is a severe form of depression in which a person experiences depressive symptoms along with delusions or hallucinations.
Impacts of Depression
Depression impacts one’s physical, mental, and neurological health. It may raise blood pressure and heart rate while reducing an individual’s motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle (e.g., through an unhealthy diet and inactivity). Therefore, depression can heighten the risk of heart disease over time by affecting both physical and behavioral factors. [6]
The most distinctive impact of depression as a mood disorder is that it can cause emotional distress such as sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and suicidal thoughts. Moreover, depression has been linked to memory problems such as forgetfulness and confusion, which can impair focus on tasks, decision-making, and clear thinking. In particular, depression is associated with short-term memory impairment, while long-term and procedural memory remain intact. [7]
In terms of neurological harm, depression causes both structural changes and disruptions to communication in the brain over time. It significantly alters brain area such as the frontal lobe, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and amygdala, which support our behavior, and memory. Additionally, it disrupts the way neurons signal to each other. Furthermore, increased inflammation in the brain can further damage brain cells. If depression goes untreated long-term, the brain may suffer serious and permanent damage. [8]
Behaviors of Individuals With Depression That Are Easily Misunderstood
Depression can manifest in a variety of ways and can often be misunderstood due to its complex nature, especially when individuals display the following behaviors:
- Withdrawal: People with depression often isolate themselves from others. This can be misunderstood as they are unsociable or uninterested in others, when in reality, they may be struggling with feelings of worthlessness or fear of burdening others with their problems.
- Irritability: Depression can cause people to become easily irritated or frustrated. This can be misunderstood as being rude when it’s actually a symptom of their mental health condition.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Depression can make it hard for people to focus or make decisions. This can be misunderstood as laziness or lack of motivation when it’s actually a cognitive symptom of depression.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns: People with depression may sleep too much or too little. This can be misunderstood as lack of discipline, when in reality, it’s a common symptom of depression.
- Neglected Hygiene: Depression can sap motivation for basic self-care like brushing teeth, showering, or grooming. Sufferers may struggle with pains and thoughts that discourage these routines.
- Physical Symptoms: Depression can also cause physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. These can be misunderstood as unrelated health issues when they may be linked to depression.
How to Support Your Loved One With Depression
Providing support to a loved one with depression can be a challenging task that necessitates personalized assistance tailored to his/her unique needs. Yet, there are several effective strategies that can be employed:
- Educate Yourself: Learn about depression so you can understand what your loved one is going through. This can help you provide more effective support and reduce any stigma you may have about mental illness.
- Provide Emotional Support: Be there for your loved one emotionally by practicing non-judgmental listening, offering reassurance, and validating feelings. It’s important to be patient, as recovery from depression takes time.
- Offer Practical Assistance: Depression can overwhelm sufferers even with simple tasks. Help lighten the load through shared chores, errands or meal prep. Small acts of kindness alleviate some burdens and demonstrate your support.
- Foster Open Communication: Cultivate a safe space for your loved one to share his/her feelings freely without judgment and check in sensitively on a regular basis. Mostly importantly, you should be an active listener and don’t interrupt your loved one’s expression.
- Avoid Minimizing or Dismissing Feelings: Depression is a real and debilitating condition, and such feelings should be acknowledged as valid. Instead of offering platitudes or telling your loved one to “snap out of it,” express empathy and understanding.
- Encourage Social Connection: Encourage your loved one to stay in touch with friends/family or join a support group to counter the negative effects of social isolation on depression.
- Recommend Professional Help: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help. Offer to assist with research, scheduling appointments, or transportation to show your support and make the process less daunting.
Final Thoughts
While depression’s grip may feel relentless, with understanding and compassion, hope and healing are within reach. By educating yourself on depression and providing helpful support, you can help guide your loved one toward wellness. Though the path ahead is long, acceptance and offers of assistance will bring brighter days closer.
Sources:
- World Health Organization. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). Retrieved May 16, 2024, from Who.int website: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2021, July). Major Depression. (2021). Retrieved May 16, 2024, from National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, December). Depression. (2023). Retrieved May 16, 2024, from Hopkinsmedicine.org website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/depression
- Same as 1
- Cherney, K. (2017, March 27). Signs and Symptoms of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Depression. Retrieved May 16, 2024, 2023, from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/mild-depression
- Villines, Z. (2018, July 9). How does depression affect the body? Retrieved May 16, 2024, from Medicalnewstoday.com website: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322395#what-is-depression
- Scaccia, A. (2016, July 5). Can Depression Cause Memory Loss? Retrieved May 16, 2024, from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/depression-and-memory-loss
- Pietrangelo, A. (2014, September 30). The Effects of Depression on Your Body. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body#fa-qs