Understanding depression-causes, symptoms and treatment.

By Ana Brown B.A. Psychology. Reviewed by Dr. Pascale Piron Psy.D., M.A., LCPC Published Jan. 23, 2025

Let me just start by saying: THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

As I was doing my research on what is depression, causes, symptoms and treatments for depression, I realized how familiar all of this content was to me, how personal and to be honest at times even brought back painful memories. Reality is depression sucks. And we need help, period. And how wonderful that help for depression symptoms is available. It is paramount that depression be discussed, understood and destigmatized. According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 21 million adults, not mentioning teenagers, are living with depression in the US today. Let’s dig deeper into the possible causes, symptoms and treatments for depression. Educating yourself is the very best first step to learn how to live and cope with depression.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?:

The medical definition of depression according to John Hopkins Medicine is “serious mood disorder that affects your whole body, including your mood and thoughts.”. Hence the need to find professional help to properly treat the causes of depression and symptoms associated with the onset of depression. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION?

Scientific research shows that depression is caused by different components, from chemical imbalances of the brain to sudden difficult life changing events. Harvard Health Publishing lists the main possible causes of major depression as “Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability and stressful events.”. We cannot choose our genetic make up, but we can certainly choose a good mental health provider along with the best treatment options that fit our needs and enhance our quality of life even if we have to deal with depression on a daily basis.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?

Although the list below shows the most common symptoms of depression, these symptoms vary from person to person. We all experience pain in different ways. It’s important to remember that sadness for a short period of time, it’s very normal, but deep sadness that lasts longer than a few days, weeks, even months and years need immediate attention from a trained professional. Here are the common symptoms of depression according to a publication by Psychology Today Magazine:

• Feelings of hopelessness and emptiness
• anxiety
• agitation
• sleep disturbances
• fatigue and lack of energy and motivation
• loss of interest in activities enjoyed before
• changes in appetite
• weight loss or overeating
• frequent crying
• isolation
• recurring thoughts of death (require immediate professional help).
• unexplained aches and pains
• decreased sex drive

You may experience a few or all of these symptoms, or even symptoms not listed here, but the main point is, if something doesn’t feel right, then it’s time to get help and get better. Self-awareness can save your life. Changes in your mental health which impact your work, your relationships with family and friends, your overall health and all the activities that you enjoyed before, must be addressed prior to evolving into a long term chronic depression state. Doing this alone is overwhelming and requires a community to support you, by being there for you during your journey with depression. It’s important to discuss your feelings with people you trust, or seek professional help.

Let’s get to a safer place.

HOW TO MANAGE DEPRESSION: TREATMENT AND COPING STRATEGIES:

Once you have recognized it’s time to get help, your mental health provider will guide you toward the best options available. Fortunately, nowadays there are many efficient treatments for depression, certainly, you can start by doing self-care daily on your own, but it is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing long term symptoms associated with depression. You do not need to do this alone. There is help and there is hope.

Most common treatments are therapy or medicine, or a combination of both.

But why is Therapy so important in the treatment of depression? According to Dr. Pascale Piron, Psy. D., M.A., LCPC , the founder of Emerge Psychology Group in Chicago, IL, “Therapy is important to determine the onset and causes of depression, to change thought processes, improve quality of life by learning coping mechanisms, just to name a few, especially when it affects daily functioning.”

I can personally attest to the benefits of having a trained mental health professional to create a plan to cope and perhaps overcome depression.

In addition to receiving professional help and treatment for depression, self-care practices on a daily basis can only help coping with your mental health. Here are some of the most common used treatment options to cope, live and possibly overcome depression:

• Interpersonal Therapy: Choosing a professional who you feel at ease to connect and share, has incredible benefits, since safe human connection is such an important element in the healing process from depression. Once you start your treatment it’s very important not to skip any sessions even if you start to feel better.
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): The patient learns how to recognize harmful patterns of thoughts, behaviors and replace them with healthier positive ones.
• Medication: According to The Mayo Clinic different types of antidepressants can be used in the treatment of depression, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), they are most prescribed and have been proven efficient. Your Prescribing Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatrist can prescribe the best medication in the treatment for clinical depression. Once you start your treatment, do not stop taking your medication without talking to your provider first.
• Hospital and/or Residential Treatment programs: If you have been diagnosed with a more severe form of depression, your psychologist, therapist, primary physician or psychiatrist can recommend a partial or full hospital stay, to keep you safe and properly cared for at all times, until your symptoms have subsided, and you are ready to go back to your daily routine.

Other treatment options for depression:

• ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy): Procedure done under general anesthesia, that uses small electric currents to pass through the brain causing brief seizures. ECT is known for changing the brain chemistry which may improve some symptoms of depression. The American Psychiatric Association explains “is a medical treatment most common used in patients with a severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments.”
• TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): Approved by the FDA in 2008, this is a treatment option for patients coping with severe depression symptoms, again, that do not respond to traditional medicines and/or therapy treatments. UC San Diego Health publication explains that “TMS stimulates and resets areas of the brain that regulate your mood to provide relief and break the cycle of depression.”

Self -care Practices for Mental Health:

Aside from all the professional help and treatments available for depression, we should also pair these treatments with self-care as a priority on a daily basis, to help alleviate the impact of life stresses and burdens on our mental health. The basic self-care practices that should be part of everybody’s routines are:

• Sleep – create healthy habits specially in the evenings, such as no sugar and no electronic devices before bedtime. Sleep is one of the best opportunities to reset our brains and wake up with a fresher mind.
• exercise routine: if you don’t like going to the gym like me, a brisk walk (check with your doctor first before you start your exercise routines) in your neighborhood or a park will do wonders for your mental health. Being physically active can improve the release of “feel good hormones”.
• Healthy diet: I don’t believe in fad diets; they are not sustainable. Understanding your body and dietary needs and changing your lifestyle will improve your overall health. Avoid sugar and alcohol, increase your intake of protein, grains, vegetables and fruits. Always consult a doctor or nutritionist prior to changing your diet.
• meditation/mindfulness: taking time in the morning or evening to meditate and stay present, can elevate your spirituality and your inner peace.
• For more self-care practices for mental health, click here

Mental Health awareness has finally gained some attention in the last few years, and the more we openly talk about it, the better the treatments will become available.

Learning how to live with or overcome depression is not easy, but it is possible. Soldiers don’t go to war without proper training, adequate equipment and a team they can trust. They focus and prepare for the next battle ahead. One step at a time. One win at a time. They don’t give up. And neither should you.

I leave you with light, hope and compassion, from someone who has seen darkness and know that the sun will always shine again.

AB

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION, DON’T HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO A PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER FOR SUPPORT.

helpful links:

Emerge Psychology Group: https://emergepg.com

Suicide prevention and Crisis Line: CALL 988

Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741

National depression hotline: (866)629-4564