Have you ever wondered why sadness sometimes fades on its own for some people, but for others, it seems impossible to shake off? When a low mood lingers, it can be difficult to tell whether it’s just a “rough patch” or a sign of something more.
Depression can creep into every corner of your life. But, because it’s often misunderstood as just feeling “a bit blue,” many people wonder Is depression a mental illness?
Understanding that, yes, depression is a recognized medical condition, not a personal failure, is an important step toward mental illness awareness and treating yourself more compassionately.
A mental health professional can provide you with personalized guidance on whether you have depression and the right treatment options for your needs and lifestyle. This page can also help you understand the depression medical condition, as it covers:
To put it simply, mental illness is a medical condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors (or a combination of all three). It can also cause distress and make it difficult to cope with everyday life. In fact, mental illness is actually highly common, with more than one in five adults in America being diagnosed with a mental health disorder every year.1
Just like a physical illness can affect the heart, lungs, or blood sugar levels, a mental illness affects the brain and how it processes emotions and experiences. Mental illnesses range from anxiety disorders and schizophrenia to depression, the latter of which is one of the most common mental health conditions.
Having a mental health diagnosis is important for accessing the right treatment. Additionally, it may help you see that your feelings are real and shouldn’t be dismissed by others as a “phase” or weakness.
Understanding what mental illness really is helps reduce stigma and can encourage people to be more compassionate toward themselves and their experiences. After all, when we recognize depression as a real medical condition, it can become easier to reach out for the help we need and begin healing.
So, let’s take a closer look at how depression is defined in clinical terms.
You may wonder, Is depression a mental illness, or is it just feeling a bit down for longer than usual? The answer is a resounding “Yes. Depression is a recognized mental illness.”
Clinically speaking, depression falls under a mood disorder classification. This means it primarily affects a person’s emotions, such as happiness, sadness, or feeling numb. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, depression can seriously impact work, relationships, and daily functioning.
Depression is different from occasionally feeling sad or blue. It’s an extreme feeling of sadness that can last weeks, months, or even years. In addition to altering your mood, it can also affect your sleep, energy, thoughts, and actions.
Furthermore, depression is diagnosed based on specific criteria. This is where major depressive disorder information often plays an important role. Knowing the symptoms, severity, and duration helps clinicians and patients understand what’s happening and guide them to the treatment needed for recovery, because depression doesn’t usually improve on its own.
Depression is relatively common. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), around 21 million U.S. adults experience at least one major depressive episode.2 Understanding this can help reduce stigma and encourage people to reach out for help.
Now that we understand that depression is a real mental illness, the following sections explain exactly how it’s defined and diagnosed.
If you’ve asked the question “Is depression a mental illness?”, you may be interested to learn more about how it’s diagnosed. Are there specific criteria? And, who decides whether or not someone has depression?
There are actually several different types of depression, each with its own criteria. For instance, you may have heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or bipolar disorder, both of which are types of depression. However, major depressive disorder (MDD) is probably the most well-known and is the focus of this article.
The clinical definition of depression is guided by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition). This provides clear-cut criteria for diagnosing clinical depression (MDD). We discuss these below.
MDD is a mood disorder that causes an array of persistent symptoms, meaning they involve more than the occasional “down” day.
According to the DSM-5, symptoms must last for at least two weeks, and include five or more of the following:3
Depressed mood
If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 988 for free, confidential help, 24/7. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or attend your nearest emergency room for help.
Additionally, one of the symptoms must include one of the first two symptoms in this list. Symptoms must also be a change from the person’s previous ability to function and cause significant distress or impairment. Plus, they cannot be better explained by any other condition.
You may wonder why the depression definition matters. You may even think it’s just another label. A diagnosis often matters because it tells you when sadness has ticked over into a clinical condition. Therefore, with a diagnosis, effective treatment options become available and can be tailored to your needs. But to receive a diagnosis, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms.
The next section takes a closer look at the depression symptoms, as well as what potentially causes it.
It’s important to know that the symptoms of depression extend far beyond just mood; they can alter how you think and how you physically feel. Plus, as we are all unique, symptoms can vary between people, from mild to debilitating.
Some of the most common depression symptoms adults experience include:4
However, if some of these symptoms are familiar, you may want to talk to a healthcare professional for guidance, as they may be signs you need depression help. You may be surprised to learn that, unfortunately, depression accounts for nearly 40,000 suicides each year in the U.S.3 It is a serious illness, but with the right support and effective treatments, recovery is possible.
Depression isn’t caused by just one thing. Research shows that depression develops as a result of several different risk factors, including family history, brain chemistry, life events, trauma, hormonal changes, and other medical conditions.3
Depression also doesn’t discriminate: it can happen to anyone, at any time, for any number of reasons. It’s a genuine medical condition, so remember to treat yourself with compassion, just as you would with any other illness. Understanding the causes of depression and learning how they interact can also help when it comes to treatment. This way, effective treatment can be targeted to your unique needs.
Unfortunately, untreated depression can worsen over time. Therefore, treatment is essential for many people with depression, so let’s explore the available options next.
Once someone understands that the answer to “Is depression a mental illness?” is “Yes,” the next question is often “How is it treated?” The good news is that there are many evidence-based choices for adult depression treatment, ranging from therapy and medication to more intensive support. The following sections explore some of these evidence-based forms of support.
Therapy can be very effective at reducing symptoms of depression. The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends seven forms of therapy for treating depression in adults. These are:5
Behavioral therapy: Where the focus is on recognizing and changing patterns of behavior that contribute to mood issues
The first-line medications for depression are antidepressants, such as:5
Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
These medications work by balancing certain brain chemicals called “neurotransmitters,” which act like chemical messengers in the brain. These include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine – all of which are linked to mood and behavior. Therefore, regulating or “balancing” these chemicals can improve moods.
When depression symptoms make daily life feel unmanageable, or you need more support than outpatient services can provide, then severe depression care could be the treatment you’re seeking. Residential programs for depression provide a safe, structured, supportive environment for you to begin healing. With round-the-clock compassionate care, intensive therapy, medication management, and wellness practices, residential care offers a much higher level of support than outpatient services can provide.
At the end of the day, for treatment to be effective, it needs to be personalized to your specific symptoms, needs, and preferences. What works well for one person may not work as well for another because no two people are exactly the same.
Early intervention can prevent depression symptoms from getting worse, so don’t delay seeking help. Whether you are interested in therapy, medication, or residential programs, reaching out for support is the first step to overcoming depression.
Living with depression can affect everyday life – from work and relationships to being able to function at your most basic level. When low moods become overwhelming, we are here to support you with evidence-based treatments and compassionate care.
At AMFM, we offer residential depression recovery programs in a safe, nurturing environment. In our welcoming treatment centers, you’ll find space and support to help you heal from depression. Through intensive therapy, medication management, and holistic approaches, you can begin your recovery and discover a hope-filled future.
Contact us today to discover how we can support you on your healing journey. Recovery is possible, and we are here for you every step of the way.
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