Depressive Disorders

Conditions

Depression is commonly characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and a lack of desire to engage in activities previously considered enjoyable for at least 2 weeks or more. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects a persons ability to function in their day-to-day life. In severe cases, depression may lead to suicide. It is important to note that suicide is preventable and depression is treatable — so don’t give up. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please text or call 988 for the suicide and emotional crisis hotline.

Depression can happen to anyone at any point in their life for a myriad of reasons including genetic, environmental, psychological, biochemical factors. Sometimes it occurs in response to an experience, side effect of medication, or as a co-morbidity of another disease. Depression is a serious mental illness that can be a life long struggle or a single episode. There are quite a few different types of depression, here are some of the main ones:

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

  • Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder

  • Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

  • Perinatal Depression

  • Depression with Psychosis

  • Substance or Medication Induced Depressive Disorder

  • Depressive disorder due to another medical condition

  • Other specified or unspecified depressive disorders

Symptoms of depression can include:

  • Anhedonia or a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, worthless, guilty

  • Issues with sleep and appetite (e.g., insomnia, hyper-somnia, increase or decrease in appetite)

  • Rumination

  • Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, fidgety behavior

  • Trouble concentrating and forgetfulness

  • Thoughts of not wanting to live, death, or suicide

  • For depression with psychosis one might experience paranoia, hallucinations, and/or delusions

  • Self-harm behaviors and attempted suicide

If you think you might be struggling with depression, you are not alone. Depression is a very common mental health disorder in the U.S., according to a 2023 Gallup poll, 29% of adults reported being diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Depression treatment sometimes takes patience to find the most effective treatment plan and might involve working with a psychiatrist and therapist for best results. Everyone is different, so it’s important to see a certified psychiatric specialist, like Dr. Aslam, to create and manage a treatment plan made specifically just for you. For suicide and emotional crisis help text/call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.