Depression is more than feeling sad. Intense feelings of sadness and other symptoms, like losing interest in things you enjoy, may last for a while.
Depression is a very common form of mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the condition is so common that sometimes it’s referred to as the “common cold” of mental health. Learn more about this common mental illness.
Different Kinds of Depression
Depression can manifest in many ways. Here are symptoms of a few of the different kinds of depression to keep an eye on:
- Major Depression: This kind of depression has symptoms of extreme sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep or eating habits, physical pain, and thoughts of death or suicide, all lasting more than two weeks.
- Bipolar Disorder: This condition is marked by periods of extreme lows followed by periods of extreme highs.
- Dysthymia Depression: This condition causes a low mood over a long period of time such as a year or more. Symptoms include trouble concentrating, fatigue, and changes in sleep habits and appetite.
- Postpartum Depression: This kind of depression is characterized by feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, fears about hurting your baby, and feelings of disconnect from your child. It can occur anywhere from weeks to months after childbirth.
Common Triggers for Depression
Depression can begin due to a number of different triggers. If a person has trouble managing conditions like diabetes, cancer or heart disease, he or she can become susceptible to depression.
Some behaviors can also contribute, including the following:
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Excessive drinking
- Lack of sleep
You Are Not Alone
As common as mental health problems are, there remains a general stigma regarding people who struggle with mental health. Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily living.
Similar to common conditions such as diabetes, which is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that affect how a person manages everyday life. They can impact all people of every age, race, religion and income bracket. They are not the result of a personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.
Nearly one in five American adults— 43.8 million people—had a diagnosable mental illness in 2013, according to recent national reports. These findings are similar to a study in 2012 from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and it is interfering with your life, talk to your doctor or other health care professional. If a friend or family member shows signs or symptoms, offer your support by encouraging the individual to get help.
