Depression Frequently Asked Questions
Patient stories about depression
Hear patients and caregivers talkabout depression. Open Real Stories
- What is depression?
- What causes depression?
- How do women experience depression?
- How do men experience depression?
- What are the treatment options for depression?
- What important information should be discussed with a healthcare provider about managing depression?
1. What is depression?
Depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating or making decisions. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, vague aches and pains, headaches, and changes in weight or sleep patterns. For some, depression can include thoughts of death or suicide.
2. What causes depression?
There are many theories about the cause of depression. One of the most commonly accepted theories suggests that two naturally occurring substances, serotonin and norepinephrine, are believed to affect core mood and pain symptoms of depression.
These substances aid communication in many areas of the brain and spinal cord that affect emotion. They are also important in "controlling the volume" of messages about pain between the body and the brain.
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.
4. How do men experience depression?
Though men and women may experience similar symptoms, men are more likely to talk about physical symptoms, such as fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to discuss emotional symptoms like feelings of sadness, guilt, and/or worthlessness.
5. 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 a great first step toward getting better. Before diagnosing you with depression, the doctor will 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 of the most common methods of managing depression.
6. What important information should be discussed with a healthcare provider about managing depression?
Questions to ask your healthcare provider include:
- Can you treat my depression or do I need to see a specialist such as a psychiatrist or psychologist? 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?
Take the First Step
Take that important first 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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