When someone is first told, “You have depression,” it can feel like a life sentence. The feeling of those words in the chest feels like someone has placed a stone there. Many people describe it as drowning, meaning they can’t breathe, even when everything around them is fine.
Most people struggling with depression often ask the same question: “Will my emotional state ever get better?” There’s no easy answer, but there is hope. Depression manifests differently in everyone. The answer to the question, “Does depression ever go away?” is like a doctor putting a cast on a broken bone; over time, the person feels better after the treatment, and the cast is finally removed. Still confused? Let’s understand more clearly here.
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The fact about living with depression
Depression isn’t just about feeling sad on a rainy day. It feels like something heavy has taken over your mind, making even the simplest tasks seem impossible. Getting out of bed to start the day is a real challenge. Taking a shower feels like running a marathon. Even eating becomes a chore that requires a huge amount of energy.
Consider a person with diabetes. A diabetic person wakes up one day and finds their sugar levels have completely dropped (aka normalized), meaning they’re completely cured. Generally, they’re managing their condition with the right medications, a diet plan, and regular checkups, so it’s not a major problem. As long as they take care of themselves, they can live the life they want. Depression works the same way.
For others, depression is like the ocean waves. Most of the time, the waves are small and easy to handle. Other times, they can be scary and uncontrollable. Yet, just as stormy seas eventually calm, so too do episodes of depression.
Two types of depression patterns
According to the medical profession, depression is either a chronic illness or it can occur in episodes.
- Episodic depression: This means that depression occurs in cycles, so there are periods when a person may feel depressed, followed by periods of feeling better when symptoms subside. However, depression may return after a while. Just as someone can get the flu, recover, and then come back, depression can be episodic.
- Chronic depression: This is a condition that lasts a long time and can be really difficult to get rid of. People with chronic depression may experience symptoms for years. These feelings are more persistent because they rarely subside, even when everyone else is feeling the same way.
People with chronic depression are more likely to have more severe symptoms. They are more likely to feel depressed and have other health problems even before the actual diagnosis.
Why does depression affect people differently?
Family history matters:
According to research studies, if a family member (sibling or parent) has a depressive disorder, they are 2 or 3 times more likely to develop it. However, a genetic predilection does not necessarily mean you are going to develop depression. It’s like a key to a locked door: the key (genes) is the one that can open the door (develop depression), but a person still needs to turn the key (environmental factors like stress, any trauma, or other factors) for the door to open.
Brain chemistry:
The human brain contains certain chemicals that significantly influence and maintain mood. When there is an imbalance in these chemicals, such as a lack of serotonin and dopamine, depression occurs. It is best thought of as a situation in which a car cannot run without the right amount of oil.
Physical health connection:
Physical illnesses and other health problems can worsen depression. For example, some include:
- Chronic pain (such as persistent back pain)
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
On the one hand, physical problems that cause pain can worsen mood. In effect, this creates a vicious cycle where the pain of depression becomes even more unbearable, and depression, in turn, makes physical pain even more difficult to bear.
Thinking patterns:
How people think about things can impact depression. In fact, negative thoughts can even become habits. For example, someone may constantly think, “I’m not good enough” or “Nothing will ever get better.” As a result, these thoughts contribute to the persistence of depression.
Support system:
Many studies show that a person’s support system is a key factor in their happiness and has a positive impact on the onset of depression. The presence of a family member, friend, or mental health professional plays a vital role. When someone is alone or without support, their depression often worsens.
Life events:
Some major life changes can trigger depression:
- Death of a loved one
- Marriage breakdown or other relationship problems
- Job insecurity
- Moving to a new environment
- Money problems
Similarly, life events (such as marriage, having a baby) can sometimes trigger depression because any change in life increases stress levels. This way, the ability to move forward is increased enough to overcome any setbacks.
Treatment options that work
Medications:
Antidepressants are medications that help rebalance chemicals in the brain. However, as one might expect, recovery isn’t immediate; patients usually take a few weeks of taking them regularly before they can start feeling better. Some people may need to try different medications before finding one that works. But don’t worry, this is normal and doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your treatment.
Talk therapy:
Different types of talk therapy are effective depending on each person’s symptoms and circumstances. Talk therapy includes:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This intervention aims to shift patients from negative thoughts to positive ones.
- Interpersonal Therapy: Effectively discusses issues related to relationships and communication.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This type of support helps regulate emotions and responses.
Lifestyle changes:
Adopting a daily health and wellness routine can improve symptoms of depression:
- Exercise: A 20-minute walk is enough to boost one’s morale.
- Sleep: Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep daily helps the brain maintain better mindfulness.
- Nutrition: When a person eats regularly and meets the FDA’s nutritional requirements, the brain receives energy that is beneficial for its functioning.
- Social Connections: The bonding that comes from hanging out with people who share some of your interests, even if you don’t feel like it, is a mentally healthy practice.
Don’t forget the follow-up plan. Follow up with an expert to help monitor treatment effectiveness. A psychiatrist is familiar with the varying effects of medications and adept at adjusting them as needed.
Many people often describe depression as a chronic illness they’ve learned to live with, not something they’ve fully recovered from. Such stories shouldn’t be interpreted as simply living in misery, but rather as finding new ways to cope when times get tough.
Now, online psychiatry service platforms, such as GABA Telepsychiatry, have transformed the way people with mental health problems access psychiatric care, eliminating the need for travel. They provide the best patient experience and focus on care and safety when treating people in an online setting. Parents can also consult with a medically skilled specialist, board-certified child psychiatrist, to address their child’s mental or emotional health from the comfort of their own homes.
Thus, if you or your loved ones are feeling depressed, lonely, or mentally disturbed, please don’t suffer silently. To stay mentally healthy, seek professional help via a psychiatrist appointment today.