Depression Overview

Not everyone suffering from depression will experience all of the same symptoms or the same severity of symptoms. Typically, five or more of the following symptoms must be present for at least two weeks before a depressive disorder is diagnosed:

Men, women and children are susceptible to symptoms of depression but often experience the symptoms differently -- mood disorders are not one-size-fits-all.  

At least one in eight adolescents and one in 33 children experience major depression [source: Mental Health America]. Symptoms for teens and children are slightly different than in adults and may additionally include:  

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from major or chronic depression; however, the discrepancy between the sexes remains unclear. Researchers are studying a myriad of possible links to higher rates of depression in women, including hormones, genetics and biology as well as psychosocial factors. One theory is that men are less likely to seek help. While men tend to be willing to admit to fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in activities and changes in sleep patterns, they typically don't share feelings of sadness and worthlessness. They are more likely than women to use alcohol or drugs to mask their feelings. Women, though, are more likely to acknowledge feelings of sadness, guilt and worthlessness.

Learn about the causes of depression on the next page.

There is no single cause for depression, but research suggests four factors from which it likely results: genetic, biochemical, psychological and environmental.

While scientists haven't discovered a "depression gene," they have seen evidence based on family histories suggesting there may be a genetic link. Children of people with major depression are more likely to experience depression than the general population. But because depression also occurs in individuals without family histories of the illness, researchers continue to study additional factors.

Research with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals that depressive illnesses are brain disorders. The brains of people with depression have abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, the messengers between the brain and the body.

Psychological factors also come into play. People with certain characteristics such as pessimism and low self-esteem have a tendency to develop depression. These characteristics, combined with environmental stressors such as relationships, illness, financial problems or major life events, contribute to patterns of depressive illness. Depression's onset is frequently a combination of these causes.

Next, we'll discuss how mood disorders are diagnosed, including a look into a video game that may help detect depression.

Depression is a highly-treatable clinical illness and early treatment has the greatest effect. But first, it needs to be determined if the symptoms suggest a temporary case of the blues or point to a depressive illness.

There's no easy test, like a blood test or X-ray that diagnoses depression. Major depression is diagnosed based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The criteria call for the presence of at least five symptoms that last at least two weeks. Chronic depression is diagnosed with fewer symptoms than major depression [source: Mental Health America].

For some people, symptoms of depression occur only in the wintertime, a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This mood disorder is associated with depression and has similar symptoms; a diagnosis is typically made after three consecutive winters.

The first step toward diagnosis of any mood disorder is to visit a doctor. Many people begin with their family doctor. While a family doctor is able to diagnose and treat mental illness, he or she will often refer the patient to a mental health professional. A doctor will first complete a physical examination and an evaluation of family history. Then he or she will talk with you about your symptoms and your mood -- determining what symptoms are present, when they began, what medications you take and your general state of mind.

To rule out other illnesses that may cause depression-like symptoms, your doctor might order the following lab tests:

Other diagnostic tests may include imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, or an electrocardiogram (ECG), to test the electrical activity of your heart (to rule out heart diseases) and an electroencephalogram (EEG) to test the level of electrical activity of your brain (to rule out illnesses such as epilepsy).

And depending on age:

Most screening tests are relatively sensitive (80 to 90 percent) and are quick and easy to administer [source: U.S. Preventative Services Task Force].

Once diagnosed, a person has a number of treatment options. Next, we'll look at the most common treatment methods along with some popular alternative therapies. Can depression be treated with exercise and herbs?

Depression's forms and symptoms vary from person to person, and so does its treatment. What works for one person may not work for another. Clinical depression is highly treatable and more than 80 percent of people who are treated show improvement [source: Mental Health America].

Effective and common treatments for major and chronic depression are antidepressant medications to relieve symptoms and psychotherapy to learn effective coping methods, or a combination of the two.

Antidepressant medications help to normalize levels of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain, specifically neurotransmitters called serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

The newest types of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), known commercially as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, among others. Also commonly prescribed are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), known to us as Effexor and Cymbalta. SSRIs and SNRIs generally have fewer side effects than the more established tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are known to have food and drug interactions. One type of antidepressant may work better than another from person to person, and doctors encourage patients to try different forms until the right one is found.

Antidepressants are taken regularly for at least four weeks (in some cases eight weeks) before improvement is noticed, and it usually takes six to 12 months for complete therapeutic effect. In cases of severe or chronic depression, long-term treatment may be needed.

Psychotherapy is typically used in conjunction with medication, although for mild cases of depression, it may be best used solo. In psychotherapy, also known also as talk therapy, people speak with a mental health professional about ways to deal with their depression and symptoms, thoughts of suicide and other problems. There are two main types of psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). CBT teaches people new ways of thinking and behaving, whereas IBT helps people understand and work on personal relationships that may be contributing to their depression.

One of the most misunderstood therapies used to treat severe depression is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT is used when medications and psychotherapy are not effective, usually in suicidal patients, patients who experience treatment-resistant depression or patients who suffer from depression and mania. Formerly known as shock therapy, ECT has improved since the 1940s and 1950s when stories of misuse and controversy were in the media. During treatment, a patient is given a muscle relaxant and anesthesia. Electrodes are affixed at specific placements on the head and are used to deliver electrical impulses of about 30 seconds, causing a seizure within the brain. ECT is usually given three times per week for several sessions.

For people looking for more natural remedies, St. John's Wort and other alternatives such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, biofeedback, massage and yoga have been gaining increased attention in the last several years. In recent scientific studies, St. John's Wort proved effective for mild depression, but acted no better than a placebo when treating major depression [source: National Institute of Mental Health].

For more information about depression and other mood disorders, including where to find help near you, visit the following resources.