How to Deal With Depression

Depression is far from uncommon—globally, it affects 5% of adults¹. That amounts to 280 million people. It’s the leading cause of disability, can lead to suicide, and affects more women than men. It’s clearly a prevalent condition. 

But you can heal from mild, moderate, and severe depression.

If you think you might be depressed and want to discuss your immediate treatment options, talk with your doctor. Together, you can find treatment and a new sense of hope. You could even go to a rehab for depression.

If you or someone you love is contemplating self-harm, call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to get immediate support.

What Are The Types of Depression?

Knowing that depression can present itself in a number of ways¹, and understanding that symptoms can appear and stay for different lengths of time, can help you create a plan to deal with depression. Understanding your particular symptoms, how they appear, and their patterns can help you embrace your own unique plan for living fully. 

Usually, the symptoms of depression fall into a more specific diagnosis². Talking to your doctor about your symptoms can help you understand your diagnosis and your emotions—and how to navigate them.

For example, if you have mild but long-lasting symptoms, your doctor might diagnose you with dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder (PDD). There’s also postpartum depression, which affects women after giving birth, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which describes depression symptoms that only arise during winter. Bipolar depression and major depressive disorder can both have more severe symptoms, like suicidality.

Signs of Depression

Doctors make a diagnosis based on your number of symptoms, their frequency, and how long they last. Usually, symptoms lasting 2 weeks or longer point to a form of depression.

Some signs of depression² include feeling empty, sad, or hopeless. Losing interest in your hobbies or daily life is common too. You might also:

• struggle to concentrate 
• feel excessively guilty 
• lose hope 
• sleep too much or too little 
• feel tired 
• lose your appetite
• entertain the thought of suicide 

The symptoms of depression could feel like fog that never really goes away, touching all areas of your life. But where does the fog come from? 

It could actually come from a few places at once.

The Causes of Depression

Depression has a cause³, whether it creeps on slowly or strikes suddenly. A non-exhaustive list of them includes:

• Biological factors & susceptibility 
• Sudden life changes
• Trauma

Biological factors usually mean a chemical imbalance⁴. If this happens, the imbalance could lead to the symptoms associated with depression, like low mood. And you might be biologically susceptible to depression⁵ if it runs in your family.

A sudden life change, like moving, starting a new job, or losing someone you love can also lead to depression. Trauma can cause depression⁵ too, whether it’s underlying trauma or something you’re well aware of, like a car accident. 

It’s also common for depression to co-occur with other conditions⁵. For example, addiction can contribute to depression. Dual-diagnosis treatment can help you recover from both conditions at once. 

But for each cause and type of depression, you do have opportunities to heal.