(**Both the names and the details of this case are fictitious in nature.)
Do you have depression or “the blues”?
“The blues” are the ebbs and flows of life that make us sad. Just as events swim into our lives, these events can leave us with the same level of swiftness. “The blues” are not the same as Depression.
Depression
Depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), has been described as a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. This can be a one-time event. Sometimes it can be chronic, which means that you have recurrent bouts of depression. If symptoms of depression persist, this is the time you might want to seek help from a mental health professional.
Some other forms and specifiers of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. The following are the different classifications of depressive disorders.
- Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered a persistent depressive disorder.
- Postpartum depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or their babies.
- Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt.
- Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.
Let’s meet Margie
“I can’t focus on anything. I am having such a hard time sleeping. I was at work today, and one of my co-workers said something to me. Before I knew it, I yelled at her. I don’t know what has gotten into me. I am constantly angry with my husband and my kids. It doesn’t matter what they do. I’m just angry. After I have a chance to calm down, I feel so guilty. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. The only thing that provides me the slightest pleasure is wine. I can drink about a bottle of wine a night.” Margie, 37, said.
Margie has signs of depression. Oftentimes, these symptoms can be overlooked because they are not accompanied by crying. While crying and sadness can be symptoms of depression, they are not always present. Now, does Margie have depression? Prior to diagnosing Margie, a psychological assessment is needed to administer her. Inside this assessment can be a series of interviews, where questions are asked by a professional during a session and then answered by the client, and some are psychological tests that will help to understand Margie’s situation.
Here is an online depression quiz you can take, but just a heads up, this quiz should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Always seek a mental health professional before anything else.
Being Depressed
Margie sought the help of a therapist. Based on her score, she was determined to have depression in a moderate form. Margie felt as if she was damaged goods. She felt that she was going to be stuck with the title of being depressed. Margie stated that she didn’t want to be responsible for taking medicines.
“I don’t want to be dependent on any type of substance. I don’t want to be weak. I am a woman of faith. I will lean in on my beliefs to make things easier for me during this time.” she said. To be like her, there are different things you can do to manage yourself through depression.
Managing Through Depression
There are many options that can be utilized to reduce the impact of depression, as well as “the blues”. With MDD, though, there is not an immediate cure that will cause a reduction in the effects of your moods, but you can do some things to help yourself as you work through your depression.
- Create a gratitude journal. Focus on the good that can be found in your life.
- Do a favor for someone who truly needs it. Nothing pumps out a good dose of dopamine, serotonin, and/or endorphins like doing a good deed.
- Get in a brisk 15-20 minute walk. Another way of getting the body to produce the feel-good hormones within the brain.
- Acknowledge your negative thoughts that bring displeasure. Once these items have been named and explored, allow yourself to make peace with them. Welcome the thoughts with glad tidings. Tell them “In spite of the pain, inconvenience, and total disruption of my hopes, I know that you are here to move me to where I am supposed to be by creating this level of discomfort.”
- Seek help. Help can be in the form of a therapist, psychiatrist, counselor, and religious leader.
If you are having the same experiences as Margie or just need to talk, reach out to us for your first free consultation.
And if you’re feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free at 1-800-273-8255.
References:
Bruce, D. F. (n.d.). Types of depression: Major, chronic, manic, and more types. WebMD. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-types.
Feeling blue vs. being depressed: What is the difference? Lindner Center of HOPE. (2020, July 4). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://lindnercenterofhope.org/blog/feeling-blue-vs-being-depressed-what-is-the-difference/.
