Depression, Depressive Mood Disorder - Anxiety Like Medical Condition

Last updated: May 30, 2020

Depression, Depressive Mood Disorder

Depression: Seventeen million Americans each year are affected by depression. Depression is classified as a mood disorder affecting people’s ability to function with everyday life due to feelings of anger, frustration, loss, or sadness. Individuals may experience mild, moderate or severe depression and it may manifest as a single episode, recurring episodes, or chronic depression lasting more than two years.

The primary types of depression include:

Major depression

five or more symptoms must be present
an episode must last at least 2 weeks, but tends to continue for 20 weeks

Dysthymia

a chronic, generally milder form of depression
symptoms are similar to major depression but more mild in degree

Atypical depression

depression accompanied by unusual symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and physical rigidity

Other common forms of depression include:

Postpartum depression

experienced by 8% to 20% of women
occurs following the delivery

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD)

experienced by 3% to 8% of women
depressive symptoms occur 1 week prior to menstruation and disappear following menstruation

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

experienced by 5% of adults
the majority of those affected are women
occurs during the fall-winter season and disappears during the spring-summer season

Depression may also occur with bipolar disorder. Moods cycle between mania and depression in this disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

Most people feel depressed on occasion. However, a person experiencing major depression feels substantially depressed for an extended period of time, experiences difficulty enjoying activities that were once pleasurable, and experiences at least five of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more:

Either agitation, restlessness, and irritability or inactivity and withdrawal
Extreme difficulty concentrating
Fatigue and loss of energy
Feelings of hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Significant change in appetite (often resulting in either weight loss or weight gain)
Sleep disturbances—at least 90% of people with depression have either insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
Sudden bursts of anger and a lack of sex drive may also be associated with depression.

Causes

The causes of depression are thought to be multifaceted and involve a combination of biologic, genetic, and environmental factors. Abnormal levels of certain brain chemicals exist in individuals experiencing depression. Included are serotonin, acetylcholine, and catecholamines such as dopamine. Factors that may alter the levels of these brain chemicals and contribute to the development of depression are:

Amount of exposure to light
Certain medications, including those for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or irregular heartbeat
Chronic stress such as experienced from loss, abuse, or deprivation in early childhood
Heredity (We believe the connection is more environmental - how behaviors are passed from generation to generation - than genes.)
Nutritional deficiencies (especially folate [vitamin B9] and omega-3 fatty acids)
Serious medical conditions, such as heart attack or cancer
Sleep disturbances
Social isolation

For a more detailed explanation about all anxiety symptoms, why symptoms can persist long after the stress response has ended, common barriers to recovery and symptom elimination, and more recovery strategies and tips, we have many chapters that address this information in the Recovery Support area of our website.

RECOVERY SUPPORT

Advertisement - Article Continues Below

Common Anxiety Symptoms

The combination of good self-help information and working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist is the most effective way to address anxiety disorder and its many symptoms. Until the core causes of anxiety are addressed - the underlying factors that motivate apprehensive behavior - a struggle with anxiety disorder can return again and again. Identifying and successfully addressing anxiety's underlying factors is the best way to overcome problematic anxiety.

Available Therapists Make Appointment

Additional Resources: