Can Depression Last For Years

Can Depression Be Cured

“I’m Fine” – Learning To Live With Depression | Jake Tyler | TEDxBrighton

When someone is experiencing a depressive episode, it can feel like thedepression may never end. Unfortunately, there is technically no cure for depression, as its always possible for the condition to occur again in the future. However, there are many different therapeutic approaches that can help treat depression and alleviate the symptoms.

The focus of depression treatment should be to build coping mechanisms and support systems that can be used when depression symptoms occur. It is important to remember that no two people have the same experience with depression, so depression treatment should be tailored specifically to each person.

How Is Depression Treated

Depression, even severe depression, can be treated. Its important to seek treatment as soon as you begin noticing signs. If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your doctor or health care provider.

Certain medications or medical conditions can sometimes cause the same symptoms as depression. A doctor can rule out these possibilities through a physical exam, learning about your health and personal history, and lab tests. If a doctor finds there is no medical condition that is causing the depression, he or she may suggest a psychological evaluation and refer you to a mental health professional such as a psychologist to perform this test. This evaluation will help determine a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Common forms of treatment for depression include:

Seeing A Doctor About Depression

Big changes in your life, like bereavement, losing a job, or even having a baby, can cause symptoms of depression. You’re also more likely to experience depression if you have a family history of depression. However, it’s also possible to become depressed without there being an obvious reason.

You can learn more about depression causes here.

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Depression May Be Progressive

Dr. Meyer and team worked with 80 people aged 1875. Of these, 25 had lived with depression for longer than 10 years, 25 had had the condition for less than a decade, and 30 were depression-free. This final cohort made up the control group.

In a study from 2015, Dr. Meyer and his colleagues saw that during episodes of major depression, peoples brains would exhibit markers of inflammation.

Based on that knowledge, in the new study, he wanted to explore whether the brain inflammation worsened over time in people with long-lasting depression.

The scientists determined the severity of the neuroinflammation using a type of brain scan known as positron emission tomography . This allowed them to monitor the activity of microglia, a type of cell found in the central nervous system, which are associated with the inflammatory response to injury.

Active microglia produce translocator protein , which is a key marker of inflammation.

Through the PET scans, Dr. Meyer and team found that the concentration of TSPO was 2933 percent higher in the brains of people who had lived with depression for more than a decade.

These inflammation markers were seen in three brain regions in particular: the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the insula.

Consistent with previous findings, the brains of those who had lived with untreated depression for shorter periods of time still had higher concentrations of TSPO than the brains of healthy controls.

Risk Factors For Recurrent Depressive Episodes

Risk factors for depression can include a combination of genetic and environmental factors as well as personal experiences, like stressful events or trauma.

Some examples of risk factors for recurrent depressive episodes:

How old the person was when they had their first depressive episode
The severity of the first depressive episode
The presence of other mental health problems
Family history of depression
The presence of stressful life events

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Diagnosing And Treating Depression

There’s no physical test for depression.

If you experience depression symptoms most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks, you should visit your GP. This is especially important if:

you have symptoms of depression that aren’t getting any better
you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
your work, relationships with friends and family, or interests are affected by your mood

It can be hard for people with depression to imagine that anything can help them but the sooner you seek help, the sooner the symptoms start to get better.

Your GP may examine you and perform blood or urine tests to make sure there isn’t another condition causing your depression symptoms, like an underactive thyroid.

When you see your GP, they’ll try to find out if you have depression by asking you questions. These are likely to be about your health, how you’re feeling, and how that is affecting you mentally and physically.

Telling your doctor your symptoms and the affect they are having on you will help your GP to tell if you have depression, and how severe the condition is. It’s important to be as open as possible.

Your conversation with your GP will be confidential. This rule can only be broken if your GP thinks there is a significant risk of harm to you or others, and that telling a family member or carer would make that risk lower.

Helping A Suicidal Friend Or Relative

If you see any of the above warning signs:

get professional help for the person
let them know they’re not alone and that you care about them
offer your support in finding other solutions to their problems

If you feel there is an immediate danger, stay with the person or have someone else stay with them, and remove all available means of committing suicide, such as medication.

Over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers can be just as dangerous as prescription medication.

Also, remove sharp objects and poisonous household chemicals such as bleach.

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Does Depression Go Away On Its Own

While more severe cases of depression usually require professional mood disorder treatment to see improvement in symptoms, some depression may go away without treatment. This is usually the result of more mild cases or types of depression that tend to only be temporary such as postpartum depression or seasonal affective disorder.

Although there is a chance that some depression will go away without treatment, the best way to decrease the amount of time that depression lasts is to get professional help. Especially in the case of major depressive disorders, a professional inpatient mental health treatment could reduce the severity and duration of symptoms drastically. Treatment usually includes a combination of psychotherapy techniques and medications.

Can Depression Be Prevented

Can a Depressed Person Have Good Days? – Atypical Depression

You can help prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If youve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help. Care can help you feel better sooner.

Depression In The Golden Years

We all have emotions that can be difficult to understand. But those occasional blues can turn into something more serious if they are not addressed.

Around six million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from depression, but only 10 percent seek professional help for it. Depression can be a part of aging, but prolonged depressive symptoms should not be ignored. Below are ways you can recognize and treat depression in yourself or a loved one to keep your later years truly golden.

A first look at depression

Depression is recognized as feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness that can affect ones ability to function. The National Institutes of Health cites three main forms of depression:

Minor depressiona milder form that lasts two weeks or less.
Major depressiona severe form that can last up to six months while disrupting life functions, such as working, sleeping, eating and finding fulfillment.
Dysthymic disorder a form of depression with moderate symptoms that typically last 2 years or more.

Depression is often linked to genetics, brain chemistry and stress levels. And the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight the connection between depression and other illnesses. Seniors are at a higher risk since about 80 percent have chronic health problems that can cause stress and trigger depressive symptoms.

Depression varies from person to person, but common symptoms include:

Treating Depression

How Is Depression Syndrome Treated

Depression can be serious, but its also treatable. Treatment for depression includes:

Self-help: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and spending time with people you care about can improve depression symptoms.
Counseling: Counseling or psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional. Your counselor helps you address your problems and develop coping skills. Sometimes brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy longer.
Alternative medicine: People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with complementary therapy. Therapy may include massage, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback.
Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change brain chemistry that causes depression. Antidepressants can take a few weeks to have an effect. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they dont, talk to your provider. A different medications may work better for you.
Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy , transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation .

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Looking After Someone Who Has Depression

If you’re close to someone with depression, their condition can affect you too. Your relationship, and family life in general, can be strained, and you might not know what to do or how to help.

Talking about the situation can help. Finding a support group, or talking to other people in a similar situation, can make it easier to cope. If the condition is causing difficulties in your relationship with your partner, you could contact a relationship counsellor who can talk things through with both of you.

When suffering from depression, men are less likely to ask for help than women. They’re also more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the symptoms.

Make A Bedtime Routine

Sleep can have a huge impact on mood and mental health. A lack of sleep can contribute to symptoms of depression, and depression can interfere with sleep. To combat these effects, try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even at weekends.

Establish a nightly routine. Start winding down from 8 pm. Sip chamomile tea, read a book, or take a warm bath. Avoid screen time and caffeine. It may also be helpful to write in a journal before bed, especially for those whose racing thoughts keep them up.

Ongoing Mood Cognitive Changes May Require Professional Help

Depression is not only hard to endure, it is also a risk factor for heart disease and dementia. “Depressive symptoms can occur in adults for many reasons. If you are experiencing mood or cognitive changes that last for more than a few weeks, it’s a good idea to bring this up with your doctor or consult a mental health specialist to help sort out possible causes,” says Dr. Nancy Donovan, an instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.The four most common types of depression are major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.

Major depression. The classic depression type, major depression is a state where a dark mood is all-consuming and one loses interest in activities, even ones that are usually pleasurable. Symptoms of this type of depression include trouble sleeping, changes in appetite or weight, loss of energy, and feeling worthless. Thoughts of death or suicide may occur. It is usually treated with psychotherapy and medication. For some people with severe depression that isn’t alleviated with psychotherapy or antidepressant medications, electroconvulsive therapy may be effective.

What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline

SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

Depression And Drugs And Alcohol

“Drowning your sorrows” is actually a bad idea when it comes to depression. Alcohol is categorised as a “strong depressant” which can make depression worse, and drinking or taking drugs to cope can lead to a downward spiral by having a negative affect on other parts of your life.

There’s evidence that cannabis can cause depression, particularly in teenagers, even if it helps you relax.

Depression Rates Tripled And Symptoms Intensified During First Year Of Covid

Depression is an Illness, Not a Weakness

A new study found that people with lower incomes and who experienced multiple COVID-related stressors were more likely to feel the toll of the pandemic, as socioeconomic inequities in mental health continue to widen.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. Depression among U.S. adults persisted, and worsened, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, found a new study by public health researchers at Brown University and Boston University.

Published in the journal the Lancet Regional Health Americas, the study found that 32.8% of U.S. adults experienced elevated depressive symptoms in 2021, compared to 27.8% of adults in the early months of the pandemic in 2020, and 8.5% before the pandemic.

Rates of depression did not decrease over time, nor did they stay the same surprisingly, they went up, said lead author Catherine Ettman, a doctoral candidate at Browns School of Public Health and chief of staff and director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Dean at Boston Universitys School of Public Health.

The most significant predictors of depressive symptoms during the pandemic were low household income, not being married, and the experience of multiple pandemic-related stressors. The findings underscore the inextricable link between the pandemic and its short- and long-term impacts on mental health, Ettman said.

These outcomes are notably different than those observed after other national crises, the researchers said.

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Symptoms And Causes Of Depression

Symptoms of depression can be very different from person to person. However, as a general rule, if you are depressed you feel hopeless, sad and lacking interest in things that used to make you feel happy.

Depression symptoms are bad enough to interfere with work, social life and family life, and can persist for weeks or months.

Doctors describe depression in one of three ways, depending on how serious it is:

mild depression it has some impact on daily life
moderate depression it has a significant impact on your daily life
severe depression this makes it nearly impossible to get through your life day to day

A few people with severe depression may have symptoms of psychotic depression.

Below is a list of depression symptoms it’s unlikely that one person would have all of them.

Electroconvulsive Therapy Electric Shock Treatment

If you have severe depression and other treatments, like medication, haven’t worked, ECT might be recommended for you.

When receiving ECT, you will be given an anaesthetic and medication that relaxes your muscles to begin with. Electrodes will be placed on your head that give an electrical “shock” to your brain.

ECT is given over a series of sessions, normally twice a week for three to six weeks.

ECT can cause side effects including nausea, headaches, aches in the muscles and memory problems.

Most people find that ECT is good for relieving severe depression, but the beneficial effects tend to wear off when several months have passed.

What Should I Do While Im Waiting To Come Down

If youre currently experiencing a manic episode, there are a few things you can do.

Reach out to your treatment team. Your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist can help you navigate your episode. They may recommend that you start or change medication.
Avoid mind-altering substances like alcohol or recreational drugs. Becoming intoxicated can worsen your manic episode or interfere with your medication management.
Get plenty of sleep. It might be hard to sleep during a manic episode, but try to go to bed and wake up at a regular time. You might find that certain sleep hygiene practices help.
Eat according to a regular schedule. Hunger can destabilize your mood. Reduce your consumption of caffeine and sugary foods, as these can also affect your mood.
Spend time with others. If you attend a support group, this might be helpful. Spending time with people close to you and your condition can help you feel more validated and less isolated.
Stay consistent with meds. No matter whether youre experiencing a manic episode or not, its important to consistently take medication thats been prescribed to you according to your doctors directions. Setting a reminder on your phone might help you during episodes.

How Do I Know Which Type I Have

Blood test for depression developed after scientists discover the ...

If you think you might have any type of depression, its important to follow up with a doctor. All depression types discussed in this article are treatable, though it might take some time to find the right treatment for you.

If youve had a previous episode of depression and think it may be happening again, see a therapist or another mental health professional right away.

If youve never had depression before, start with a primary care physician. Some symptoms of depression can be related to an underlying physical condition that should be addressed.

Try to give your doctor as much information about your symptoms as you can. If possible, mention:

when you first noticed the symptoms
how theyve affected your daily life
any other mental health conditions you have
any information about a history of mental illness in your family
all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, including supplements and herbs

It might feel uncomfortable, but try to tell your doctor everything. This will help them give you a more accurate diagnosis and refer you to the right type of mental health professional.

Worried about the cost of mental health services? Here are five ways to access therapy for every budget.

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