Depression Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is depression?
  2. What causes depression?
  3. How do women experience depression?
  4. What are the treatment options for depression?
  5. What important information should be discussed with a healthcare provider about managing depression?

1. What is depression?
Major depressive disorder (depression) is a serious medical condition with a broad range of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, thoughts of death or suicide, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness. Physical symptoms can include restlessness or slowness of speech, thought, or activity; trouble concentrating or making decisions; lack of energy; and changes in weight/appetite or sleep. Associated symptoms of depression may include aches and pains, tearfulness, constant worry, dwelling on negative thoughts, constantly turning things over in your mind, irritability, and anxiety.

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2. What causes depression?
There are many theories about the cause of depression. One common theory is that depression is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring substances in the brain.

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3. How do women experience depression?
Typically, more women experience depression than men. There may be many reasons for this difference, including biological, life cycle, hormonal, and psychosocial factors. While research has shown hormones have a direct effect on the brain chemistry that controls mood, scientists are still unsure why some women develop depression and others do not.

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4. What are the treatment options for depression?
Your primary care physician or a psychiatrist can provide a comprehensive treatment plan—seeing a healthcare professional is an important step toward getting better. Before diagnosing you with depression, the doctor may get a complete diagnostic evaluation, including a family history (if any) of depression and symptom history. Symptom history will include severity and duration of symptoms, as well as when the symptoms first began.

Once a healthcare professional has diagnosed someone with depression, they may recommend a number of treatment options. Medication and talk therapy are two common methods of managing depression.

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5. What important information should be discussed with a healthcare provider about managing depression?

Questions to ask your healthcare provider RC:

  • Do I need to see a specialist such as a psychiatrist or psychologist to treat my depression? If so, can you recommend someone?
  • Do I need counseling? If so, can you recommend someone?
  • What is talk therapy, and how will I know if it's working?
  • Are there any self-help strategies or lifestyle changes you'd recommend?

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Talking With Others About Depression

Take that important step in getting help for depression. Don't wait—depression is an illness that can, and should, be treated.

Talk to a loved one or a friend today about how you are feeling so they may help you talk with a doctor. In fact, print out your results from the Depression Impact Tool to help start the conversation with a friend or loved one.

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