Key Symptoms of Depressive Disorder, Common Causes & Treatment

Depressive Disorder: Key Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

On a global level, about 280 million people suffer from depression. Approximately 5% of these are adults.

Depressive disorder is a prevalent mental health issue, often characterized by persistent sadness, a low emotional state, and a diminished interest in previously enjoyable activities. It alters a person's thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and impairs day-to-day activities. In severe cases, individuals may engage in self-harming behaviors or face an increased risk of suicide. Depression is a more general term for depressive disorder.

A timely and correct depressive disorder diagnosis based on characteristic symptoms and other factors can help in its prompt treatment. Prescribed medications, talk therapy, or both help treat depression effectively.

Read more for a comprehensive idea of the key symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of depressive disorder or depression.

What are the Key Symptoms of Depressive Disorder?

Though the symptoms of different types of depressive disorders can vary, there are some general symptoms common to all depressive disorders or depression. 

These are as follows:

• Incessant sadness or low mood
• Despair and helplessness
• Irritability, crying spells, and anxiety
• Low self-esteem and guilt
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
• Lack of energy or fatigue
• Cognitive dysfunction, such as a lack of focus, poor decision-making, and memory issues
• Eating too much or very little, causing a gain or loss in weight
• Disturbed sleep or oversleeping
• Wanting to self-harm or suicidal ideation
• Physical symptoms include slow speech, headache, indigestion, sluggishness, aches and pains, and loss of libido.

What are the Causes of Depression?

There is no single cause for depression. Various factors can lead to depression.

These are as follows:

● Different Brain Chemistry

A smaller hippocampus in the brain can cause an imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin, increasing the risk of developing depression.

● Family History

Depression can run in your genes. If you have a family history of depression, you are at a higher risk of inheriting it.

● Gender and Age

Depression is estimated to be 50% higher in females than in males.  It could be due to the hormonal changes women experience at various stages of their lives. Old age can be a risk factor for depression due to feelings of loneliness and lack of support.

● Childhood Trauma

Individuals who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during childhood are more likely to develop depression as adults.

● Life-Changing Events

Stressful life incidents that involve loss, like bereavement, loss of employment, divorce, and even retirement, can invariably lead to depression.

● Chronic Illness

Serious long-term medical illnesses like chronic pain, diabetes, cardiac disease, arthritis, hypothyroidism, and Alzheimer’s can increase the risk of depression.

● Certain Medications

Depression can occur as a side effect of certain medications such as benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, gabapentin, opioids, and isotretinoin.

● Substance Abuse

Drugs or excessive alcohol intake can also lead to depression or worsen it.

How is Depression Diagnosed?

Earlier, all depressive disorders were diagnosed together under the same category. Nowadays, different depression diagnoses help assess the various types of depression that could include a clinical depression diagnosis or any other depression, like seasonal affective disorder, persistent depressive disorder, etc.

These evaluations help mental health professionals distinguish between various types of depression diagnosis, ensuring that each patient receives the most appropriate care.

Diagnosing depression primarily includes a mental health assessment.

A mental health assessment is an evaluation of the physical, emotional, and mental state of an individual by a primary healthcare provider or a qualified mental health professional to ascertain whether they have a mental illness.

It includes:

Initial Interview

The doctor asks about the patient's day-to-day health, including mood, energy levels, sleep, appetite, and more, to identify any existing symptoms and how they affect daily life. Questions about the lifestyle, family environment, and any recent stressful events are asked to understand the reason for any symptoms.

Physical Assessment

Physical assessment includes making a note of existing medical and mental health conditions. Blood and urine tests or brain scans can help detect medical conditions like an underactive thyroid, anemia, or brain disease that may be the underlying cause of depression symptoms.

Medicines for any existing mental illness of the patient can also affect medical test results and can indicate a more specific treatment.

Cognitive and Mental Evaluation by Questionnaires or Depression Scales

The mental health professional can use various screening tools that help in diagnosing depression. These help assess specific symptoms in detail, including mood, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

These tools can include :

• Patient Health Questionnaires
• Beck Depression Inventory
• Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
• Center for Epidemiologic Studies- Depression Scale
• Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale
• Geriatric Depression Scale

DSM-5

A mental health professional can also use the standard criteria for depressive disorder diagnosis given in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, to identify the type of depression.

For example, for clinical depression diagnosis, one must have at least five symptoms from the standard list of clinical depression symptoms in the DSM-5.

How is Depression Treated?

Effective treatments are available for depression. About 80- 90% of patients who reach out for treatment respond positively. Response rates vary by severity; ~30-40% achieve remission with first-line treatment.

Medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both form an efficacious treatment approach for depression. In cases of psychotic depression, electroconvulsive therapy may be needed.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy involves speaking to a mental health professional about depression and related issues. It can be conducted in-person or virtual sessions. It can be needed for short periods or longer spans, depending on the symptoms.

• In mild or moderate cases of depression, talk therapy can be sufficient to alleviate depressive symptoms. In more serious cases, medication may also be needed.

• There can be several forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal approaches.

• The most common form of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, which helps a person change their distorted thought patterns and negative beliefs to alleviate symptoms. It involves learning skills and coping mechanisms for addressing low mood and other symptoms, viewing things in a more positive light.

Antidepressant Medications

Depending on the severity of symptoms, depression may need prescribed medicines called antidepressants to normalize brain chemistry, the most common of which are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It may take some time, a minimum of two weeks, to decide which one is most suitable for you.

These medicines include:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, eg, Escitalopram
• Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, eg, Duloxetine
• Tricyclic Antidepressants, eg, Amitriptyline
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, eg, Phenelzine
• Antipsychotics given in combination with Antidepressants, eg, Quetiapine

Early depressive disorder diagnosis allows for faster and more effective treatment. Consult a mental health professional for a customized treatment plan based on the severity of symptoms.

In severe cases, hospitalization may be needed for depression. To ensure quality treatment and financial assistance, contact Star Health Insurance. We provide coverage for psychiatric disorders, including depression, under our Medi Classic Insurance Policy for Individuals.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward treating depression effectively. With the right clinical tools and professional guidance, individuals can better understand their condition and begin the journey toward recovery. Early mental health assessments and proper depressive disorder diagnosis help ensure the right support at the right time. For continued care, Star Health Insurance offers coverage options that support mental wellness through consultation, diagnosis, and therapy benefits.