Is Depression a Mental Illness?

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder. It’s most commonly associated with feelings of sorrow, hopelessness, and listlessness. It can impact anyone regardless of age, race, financial circumstance, family history, and more. The most common age to first see signs of depression, however, are those in their late teens to mid-20s. As a condition, it is not something to be overlooked. It can often be linked with suicide, which is the fourth highest cause of death for people aged 15 to 29.

The Difference Between Depression as a Symptom and as a Condition

The feeling of depression is not uncommon. In fact, most people are likely to feel bouts of heavy sadness at one point in their lives. While, in general, the term depression relates to the mood disorder known as Major Depressive Disorder, it can also be used to refer to a collection of symptoms that are similar to the ones experienced with MDD. 

Depression is not an uncommon symptom. There are many medications and substances that can impact your brain and lead to feelings of depression. The biggest difference between depression as a symptom and as a condition is the frequency and length of time that the side effects occur. 

For those with Major Depressive Disorder, the side effects of depression last for most of the day, for multiple days in a week, and greatly impact your life and routines. 

What Causes Depression?

There’s no singular thing that is guaranteed to cause depression. In fact, there is no way to list every possible combination of factors that can influence a person’s mental health. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t multiple common factors that have been noted across the years. Being aware of some of these factors can help you better understand where your depression stems from.

A person’s history can often lend a lot of insight into how depression develops. For example, growing up in an unsteady home, whether financially or emotionally, can leave a lasting impact. This ties directly into another common link to depression – trauma. From adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to the loss of a loved one, trauma and how we deal with it can greatly affect our mental health.

There are also many small things in our lives that can compound into depression, one of the most common being stress. Stress can be more silent than people realize, slowly creeping in and building up until you’re at a breaking point. Learning how to better manage your stress levels and identify when you are stressed can greatly improve your mental health.

Finally, it’s important to know that sometimes depression can simply develop. A combination of hormones, uncertainty in life, and not knowing how to properly address emotional turmoil can truly take a toll on the psyche. Even when it might seem like someone has “no reason” to be depressed, it’s important not to judge. Depression doesn’t discriminate, and anyone can be impacted by it. 

Do Genetics Play a Role in Depression?

There have been studies over the years that show a link between depression and genetics. It’s often shown that if one family member has it, others are likely to develop it too. This can be both from the genetics itself as well as the shared environment that the two family members grew up in. 

How Can You Tell if You or a Loved One Has Depression?

Because of how depression manifests, and how it impacts your mind, many people go to great lengths to hide their depression from their loved ones. This doesn’t mean that you can’t spot it, you just need to know what to look for. 

Here are some of the common symptoms of depression:

Depression manifests differently in everyone, and many of the symptoms snowball together. For example, lowered self-worth often culminates in distancing from friends and decreasing self-care. The changes in sleep and appetite contribute to low energy, mood, and irritability. This is what makes depression sometimes very difficult to address as an individual because you’re unable to pull yourself out of the rut you’re in.

How Does Depression Affect People?

Depression is a condition that can come in waves, sometimes growing more intense over time. It can wear down a person slowly, making them feel more burdened by the weight of their feelings.

Imagine every day you wake up with weights draped over your shoulder. The lights are dim everywhere you go and you get a text that tells you something negative about yourself. Your appetite is missing and you feel both exhausted and unable to sleep at the same time. 

These are some of the many symptoms that people managing depression feel. It often results in a cycle, where people find it difficult to reach out for help because their mind is convincing them that they’re not worth it.

If you’re reading this, remind your loved ones that you care about them. Reach out and ask them about their day. Sometimes, even the smallest words can truly make a difference. 

Overcoming Stigma: How to Talk to Your Loved One About Treatment

Knowing how depression impacts a person is an important first step before talking to your loved one about seeking treatment. It can be incredibly difficult and disheartening to see your loved one withdraw from others when they’re clearly hurting on the inside. You can help, and often your help can mean the world.

As you’re deciding how to approach them, keep in mind how many of their internal thoughts are working against them. Don’t get frustrated when talking to them, show patience and remind them that you care.

Present them with facts. If other people in your life have expressed concern for them, while you don’t need to name them, tell them that others care and have expressed concern. Remind them that you want to see them happy and that they don’t have to go through this alone.

Finally, offering help in finding a place for them to start their healing can be a big deal. Depression causes low energy and motivation. You combine this with how they view themselves and the idea of scheduling an appointment can become overwhelming. Working alongside them to start this journey can make a world of difference.

What Depression Treatment Options Are Available in Arizona?

If you’re reading this article and recognizing many of these signs within yourself or a loved one, it’s important to know that there are depression treatment options available for you. Right here in Arizona, there are inpatient and outpatient services that can work with you to help you learn the skills to manage your depression.

It’s important to know that many people live with depression most of their lives, but through proper treatment and support it’s something they’re able to easily manage. The biggest obstacle with depression is not knowing how to combat many of the thoughts and feelings that come along with it. Just like we don’t innately know how to take care of ourselves when sick, we don’t know how to handle emotions without learning it from somewhere. This is where treatment will help you pave your path of healing, giving you the skills you need to handle obstacles as you encounter them. 

You’re not alone in this journey. You deserve help. You’re worth it.

If you’d like to get started with depression treatment today, our Pinnacle Peak team is here to help. With a large variety of evidence-based treatments available, we’ll work with you to find the right combination for your unique needs. Give us a call at 866-377-4761 and we can get you started today. 

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FAQs

Is depression considered a disability?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, depression can be classified as a disability. It is classified this way to protect people monetarily if their depression is greatly impacting their lives.

Can people with depression lead a normal life?

Yes. With the proper skills and support, depression is a very manageable condition. Many people, through treatment, also see a great reduction in the persistence of side effects.