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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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News Articles

  • Depression in Youth Ups Odds for Adult Illnesses: Study

    Having depression during childhood or in the teen years appears to increase the odds of illness and early death later on, researchers say. More...

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  • COVID Fuels Depression Among Pregnant Women, New Moms

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  • 'Body Issues' Raise Depression Risks for Teens

    Body dissatisfaction significantly increases teens' risk of depression, researchers say. More...

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    • Coping With Lockdown Loneliness During the Holidays

      Pandemic lockdowns will increase Americans' risk of loneliness and depression this holiday season, an expert warns. More...

    • AHA News: People With Depression Fare Worse in Heart Health Study

      Heart disease and depression are interwoven, and a new study is helping unravel that connection by linking depression with poorer scores on seven important measures of heart health. More...

    • Two Key Lifestyle Factors May Ward Off Depression

      Less screen time and more sleep are critical for preventing depression, a new study suggests. More...

    • Birth Control Pill Won't Raise Depression Risk

      Women who struggle with mental health problems will sometimes forgo the most effective forms of birth control because of concerns about worsening those issues, but a new study delivers a reassuring finding: The pill and other forms of hormonal birth control do not raise depression risk. More...

    • Depression Has Strong Ties to Stroke, Study Finds

      The more symptoms of depression people have, the higher their risk of stroke, researchers say. More...

    • For Some Women, Postpartum Depression Lingers for Years

      Many women have depression symptoms after giving birth, but for some postpartum depression hangs on for years, a U.S. government study finds. More...

    • Severe Morning Sickness Linked to Depression Before and After Birth

      Women who suffer severe morning sickness may have higher risk of depression during and after pregnancy, according to a new British study. More...

    • Depressed Teens May Struggle in School

      By about age 16, teens diagnosed with depression have substantially lower educational attainment, a new British study finds. More...

    • More Are Turning to Pot When Depressed – But Does It Help or Harm?

      Folks struggling with depression are much more likely to turn to marijuana to ease their symptoms these days, and that's not necessarily a good thing, researchers report. More...

    • Depression Can Deepen Over Time for Alzheimer's Caregivers

      Add a heightened risk for depression to the list of challenges facing the caregivers of loved ones who have Alzheimer's disease. More...

    • A U.S. Pandemic of Depression, Too? Rates Are Triple Pre-COVID Levels

      Since the pandemic began, the prevalence of depression symptoms has roughly tripled, with the poor who lost jobs and savings most affected, researchers report. More...

    • Seniors With Depression Show Resilience in Face of Pandemic

      Older Americans with depression have held up well to the threat of COVID-19, a new study finds. More...

    • Blood Pressure Meds Don't Raise Risk of Depression

      Although previous research hinted there might be a connection between high blood pressure medications and depression, a new study of dozens of commonly used drugs found no such link. More...

    • Depression May Hinder Recovery From Narrowed Arteries

      People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and depression have worse recovery than those who aren't depressed, a new study finds. More...

    • Vitamin D Won't Reduce Risk of Depression

      For those battling debilitating depression, a new study delivers some bad news: Vitamin D supplements won't make a dent in improving mood. More...

    • Could Botox Injections Relieve Depression?

      Patients who received Botox injections for any of six conditions reported suffering depression 40% to 88% less often when compared to patients who received different treatments for the same conditions. More...

    • Can Probiotics Help Ease Depression?

      Researchers found that across seven small clinical trials, various probiotics seemed to improve symptoms in patients with clinical depression -- at least in the short term. More...

    • AHA News: Persistent Depression Might Increase Heart Disease Risk for Women With HIV

      Women with HIV who experience persistently high levels of stress or depression have a significantly greater risk of plaque building up in their arteries than those who rarely or never report these symptoms, a new study finds. More...

    • Mom's Depression Can Lead to Behavior Problems in Kids

      Children of mothers with long-term depression have an increased risk of behavioral problems and poor development, researchers say. More...

    • Insomnia May Forecast Depression, Thinking Problems in Older People

      Insomnia may significantly increase the risk that older adults will be unable to shake off depression, researchers say. More...

    • Isolation During Coronavirus Pandemic a Trigger for Depression

      The isolation of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic could trigger depression, British researchers say. More...

    • Dodge Depression During Coronavirus Pandemic

      There's no doubt about it: Staying at home, worrying about jobs and finances, is a recipe for depression during the coronavirus pandemic. But one expert offers some tips on how to maintain good mental health during this difficult time. More...

    • Therapy by Phone Helps Parkinson's Patients Manage Depression

      A type of talk therapy by phone may help treat depression in people with Parkinson's disease, researchers say. More...

    • Magnetic Brain 'Zap' Shows Promise Against Severe Depression

      Intensifying a standard form of brain stimulation may bring relief to people with hard-to-treat depression, a preliminary study suggests. More...

    • Is the 'Gratitude Movement' Overrated? Study Finds It Has Limits

      "Ultimately, I think these results suggest that depression and anxiety are complex indeed," said study co-author David Cregg, a doctoral candidate in psychology at Ohio State University. "And giving individuals simple exercises to try to feel more positive or express more gratitude may not be the best advice." More...

    • Depressed Pregnant Women 3 Times More Likely to Turn to Pot

      Could depression prompt a pregnant woman to use marijuana? More...

    • AHA News: Stroke Survivors Might Need Better Screening for Depression

      Depression among stroke survivors peaks during the early months of recovery and persists for a full year, a new study finds. Experts say better screening methods are needed for this population to more effectively prevent and treat depression. More...

    • General Anesthesia Boosts Postpartum Depression Risk After C-Section: Study

      Women who receive general anesthesia during a cesarean section delivery are at higher risk of severe postpartum depression that requires hospitalization, as well as self-inflicted harm and suicidal thoughts, a new study finds. More...

    • AI May Help Guide Patients to Most Effective Antidepressant

      Choosing the right antidepressant for someone who is depressed can be hit or miss. But a new study shows that artificial intelligence (AI) technology may be able to help. More...

    • Online Bullies Make Teen Depression, PTSD Even Worse: Survey

      Cyberbullying can worsen symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in young people, new research shows. 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...

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