Major Depression, The Most Disabling: 6 Things You Should Know

Major depression is one of the most serious mood disorders within this category, and is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the leading causes of disability in the world.

When the signs and symptoms of this condition are long-lasting, and its intensity is moderate or severe, it can become a serious health problem that affects the entire environment of the person suffering from it.

Depression can originate due to various causes that involve social, psychological and biological factors. Either way, it is important to learn more about some important aspects of this disease. Here we tell you what they are.

1. Possible causes

Major depression is a complex type of condition, with many nuances, both for science itself and for patients. This is so because it is a disorder that, in general, does not have a single trigger, but is a multifactorial condition.

On the one hand, there is genetics, upbringing, the education received and the possible trauma experienced are factors to assess, as well as the adversities experienced in youth and the social context. On the other hand, low self-esteem, learned helplessness and some cognitive problems can also be a determining factor in the causes of depression.

Also, many times, it is due to a chemical problem, such as a decrease in dopamine levels. Therefore, it is essential to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.

2. Anhedonia

One of the main characteristics of major depression is anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure. However, not everyone with this symptom has depression.

The main signs of anhedonia are as follows:

• Disinterest in the everyday.
• Exhausted.
• Constant irritability
• Lack of initiative.
• Inability to actually do any activity.

3. The most common symptoms of major depression

According to a publication from Harvard Medical School , a person can be diagnosed with this type of disease if they have several of the following symptoms:

• Irritability.
• Loss of interest or pleasure.
• Decrease or increase in weight or appetite.
• Increased or decreased sleep.
• Fatigue and loss of energy for no apparent reason.
• Feeling worthless or guilty.
• Little concentration or indecision.

4. There is no single type of major depression.

When talking about mental disorders, it must be clear that each case is unique and each person has a series of own characteristics that, therefore, it is necessary to know how to attend to. Likewise, it is important to note that within major depression there are two subtypes.

• Major depression with a single episode.   The person experiences this type of depression only once in their life.
• Recurrent major depression. In this case, the reality is much more complex and, in fact, it is the most common. Apparently, many patients have had to cope with major depression as early as adolescence and then more than once in adulthood.

5. Risk factors

Depression can occur at any age, but it is more likely to occur in adulthood. Regarding the other risk factors for suffering from it, a publication of the National Institute of Mental Health indicates the following:

• Personal or family history of depression.
• Major life changes, trauma, or stress.
• Certain physical illnesses and medications.

6. Major depression can be treated

In dealing with major depression, you need to have several approaches, and in fact, the more options you have, the better. According to the aforementioned publication, the most common treatment is a combination of psychotherapy, the cognitive-behavioral approach being the most appropriate, and certain medications. 

Usually it takes several trials to find the drug that works best. Once established, the correct dosage must be found according to need.

What else can be done to counteract this condition?

Although treatment with medications and psychotherapy is the most effective and the most recommended, there are several healthy habits and different techniques that can be adopted to complement it.

Among them are: doing physical activity on a regular basis, eating balanced, not isolating yourself, seeking help and talking to other people about it, not waiting for the mood to change from one moment to another, among others.

In addition to this, it is important to pay close attention to the signs and symptoms, and seek help from a professional to establish the appropriate procedure as the case may be.