Depression

Depression is a mental health condition which causes a persistent feeling of sadness, and changes in thought patterns and behavior. In most cases, depression is treatable through therapy, medication or both, but cases do exist where we do not see full remission, but only alleviation. Seeking treatment early tends to increase effectiveness of the treatment, and shorten the duration of the depression.

Depression is classified as a mood disorder, but just like anxiety, there are several different diagnoses related to depression. These include: Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, but also Depressive Disorder due to another Medical Condition. Major Depressive Disorder can be specified further, and includes Seasonal Affective Disorder, Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, and Atypical Depression.

Some people are more prone to experiencing depression than others, and we do see that people who live with chronic health conditions, or long-term mental health conditions such as anxiety or prolonged burnout, as well as neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, or personality disorders, tend to have higher rates of depression as well.

What does depression feel like?

Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to:

  • Feeling very sad or hopeless – note that in children and adolescents especially, we may instead see increased irritability.
  • Not enjoying things that used to be fun or bring joy.
  • Being easily irritated or frustrated – that is, a shorter ‘fuse’ than usual.
  • Unintentional changes in eating habits, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
  • Changes in sleep, especially trouble falling asleep, or suddenly sleeping much more than usual.
  • Low energy or fatigue.
  • Difficulty with concentration, decision-making, and/or with remembering things.
  • Physical (somatic) issues such as headaches, stomachaches, difficulty with getting sexually aroused.
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
  • Additionally, non-existence ideation can be a symptom. Frequently referred to as ‘passive suicidal ideation’ by professionals, this presents not as an active wish to die, but rather as more passive thoughts, for example: ‘It would be nice if it could just all stop’, or feeling a sense of relief at the thought of dying in one’s sleep. These are different from suicidal ideation in that the person isn’t thinking about the act of suicide, or the process of death, and is not actively thinking about how they might go about it.

The internal experience can be muddied, however, especially because people expect these symptoms to be constant and unchanging.

  • A generally lower mood. Think of depression not as a constant low, but as a lower average mood. There are still ups and downs, but the periods of joy or happiness are briefer and not felt as deeply, whereas the periods of sadness, hopelessness, or numbness, tend to be more frequent, longer lasting, and more intense.
  • Loss of motivation. It can be extremely hard to make yourself do anything at all when it feels like there is no point. We often see that people’s habits change significantly, and they report feeling either too fatigued, or having lost motivation to do it.
  • This potentially includes almost every major habit, such as social interactions, how often a person goes outside or for how long, exercise and dietary habits, hygiene, and engagement with hobbies.
  • We often see that sedentary activities increase, especially screen time. Use of social media, computer or television can rise slowly over a period of time, and the person themselves may not recognize the change as it is happening. However, if they think of now versus a year ago, for example, there is often a significant difference.
  • Possible change in personality. Close friends and family may report that the person’s personality has changed, as they see the social withdrawal and mood changes, but they may not know why. However, it is important to know and recognize, that some people suffering from depression mask their experience from their surroundings and spend large amounts of energy pretending to be okay.

What should I do if I think I have a depression?

The first step is to seek treatment. This treatment can be either therapy – and different forms exist that are effective – or medication, or both.

We tend to recommend that medication is always accompanied by some amount of therapy, as medication usually cannot work alone. It can alleviate the symptoms, but frequently when medication stops, the symptoms return if the underlying cause has not been treated.

A formal diagnosis of depression will also give you access to medication. There are several different types of medication prescribed, depending on the type and severity of the depression. Remember that each person reacts differently to medication, so it may take time to find the right one for you.

Keep in mind that not every form of therapy works for everyone, and that is okay. If you begin Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is often the first recommended, and you don’t feel that it is working, please do find a therapist who uses different methods and try that. Also keep in mind that it is important to work with a therapist you feel safe and comfortable with.

Energy Accounting can be a part of your therapy program, as it can be a great way to investigate where your energy resources are spent and what might make better sense for your recovery from depression. Likewise, the method can be used to identify your symptoms of depression or stress, as well as ‘symptoms’ of recovery. If you continue to use Energy Accounting after your depression has alleviated or resolved, Energy Accounting can also help you to recognize any potential relapse into depression early on, allowing you to act quickly on any warning signs.