MDD

A treatable, medical disorder

You’ve been feeling “off” for weeks to months. Doing anything seems like a chore. Things you once enjoyed now feel pointless. Friends encourage you to “think positive” and the dreaded “SMILE” but it’s just not that simple. You can’t sleep, or all you want to do is sleep, but you don’t feel rested. This isn’t weakness, laziness, or something you can simply “snap out of.’ This is depression-a medical condition that affects 21 million American adults.

Normal SadnessGriefClinical Depression
Triggered by a specific event or situationTriggered by an eventMay occur without a clear trigger, or present with more significant symptoms than the trigger might seem to warrant
Improves with time (days to weeks)May hit in waves, with intermittent relief followed by a new surge of griefPersists for weeks, months or longer
Doesn’t significantly impair functionMay transiently impair functionInterferes with work, relationships and daily life
Responds to support and self-careResponds to support and self-careRequires professional treatment
Occasional low moodPeriods of sadness punctuated by partial reprieve, with an overall positive mood trajectoryPersistent, pervasive hopelessness
Can still experience joyCan intermittently experience joyInability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)

Signs and Symptoms of Major Depression

You do not need to have every symptom on this list to have depression. If several of these symptoms resonate with you, for two weeks or more, consider seeking professional advice.

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day
  • Loss of interest of pleasure in activities you used to enjoy (anhedonia)
  • Significant changes in appetite or weight (increase or decrease)
  • Sleep problems–insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Physical restlessness or feeling slowed down
  • Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive problem, or chronic pain
  • Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities
  • Irritability or frustration, even over small matters

Types of Depression

Major depression (MDD): Persistent depressed mood or loss of interest for at least two weeks with symptoms that significantly impair daily living. This is the most commonly diagnosed form, and can have two subtypes:

  • Melancholic: persistent low mood, poor appetite, insomnia, hopeless, lose weight, suicidal thoughts
  • Atypical: low mood, mood reactivity, increased appetite, increased sleep, leaden paralysis (body feels weighted down), interpersonal rejection sensitivity. May have suicidal thoughts.
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Chronic depression lasting at least two years. While symptoms may be less severe than major depression, their long duration significantly impacts quality of life.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression following a seasonal pattern, typically beginning in fall/winter and improving in spring/summer.
  • Postpartum Depression: Depression during pregnancy or after childbirth, affecting approximately 1 in 8 women. Postpartum depression is the most common pregnancy complication in the United States. It’s different from the “baby blues” and requires professional treatment.
  • Perimenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affecting emotional and physical health.Symptoms typically occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, before menstruation starts.Common symptoms include:severe mood swings, severe mood swings irritability, depression, and anxiety.
    Physical symptoms may include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.Diagnosis is based on symptom tracking and must meet specific criteria in the DSM-5.
  • Bipolar Depression: Bipolar depression (alternating with elevated mood), is usually an atypical type depression that occurs in the context of bipolar disorder.
    Major depression is a real medical illness…with real medical treatment available. From pharmaceutical options to lifestyle resources to interventional treatments, there IS an answer for major depression. Fight back!