Chances are you have felt depressed at some point in your life. It is one of the many complicated emotions that we as humans experience. We feel a wide variety of emotions throughout the course of a day ranging from positive ones to negative ones. The ability to feel emotion is a big part of what makes us human. It is normal to feel happy when something good happens, and normal to feel bad when something negative happens. But what if you get stuck and can only feel sadness? This is what depression is.

What is Depression?

Also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, the Mayo Clinic defines depression as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It has an impact on how you feel, think, and behaves, and it may lead to a number of emotional and physical complications. You may have difficulty performing routine daily chores, and you may feel as though life isn’t worth living.

Major depression is more than just a low mood. It is a serious mental health condition that can have an impact on every area of your life. It can make it hard to concentrate at work or school, make you feel exhausted and unmotivated, and cause you to lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Severe depression can even lead to physical health problems.

Depression in the Philippines

The Department of Health (DOH) lists two categories of depressive disorders on its website:

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is a moderate to severe episode of depression lasting two or more weeks. Children experiencing a major depressive episode may appear or feel irritable rather than depressed. In addition, five or more of the following depression symptoms will occur on an almost daily basis for a period of at least two weeks:

  • A significant change in weight.

  • Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep).

  • Psychomotor agitation or retardation.

  • Fatigue or loss of energy.

  • Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.

  • Diminished ability to think or to concentrate. or indecisiveness.

  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide and/or suicide attempts.

Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymic Disorder is an ongoing, chronic depression that lasts two or more years (one or more years in children) and has an average duration of 16 years. The mild to moderated depression of dysthymic disorder may rise and fall in intensity, and those afflicted with the disorder may experience some periods of the normal, non-depressed mood of up to two months in length. Along with an underlying feeling of depression, people with dysthymic disorder experience two or more of the following depression symptoms:

  • Under or overeating

  • Insomnia or hypersomnia

  • Low energy or fatigue

  • Low self-esteem

  • Poor concentration or trouble making decisions

  • Feeling of hopelessness

A June 2021 Philippine Star article reports that 17 million Filipinos suffer from depression. This data comes from DOH according to Rep. Alfred Delos Santos, a mental health awareness advocate from the party list “Ang Probinsiyano.” Delos Santos authored House Bill 6253, or the Mental Wellness Leave Act, which grants five more days of leave for employees in private institutions. It is important to have legislation such as this that addresses mental disorders.

Additionally, a June 2020 study involving 1,879 respondents by the University of the Philippines reports that a quarter of Filipinos are having “moderate to severe” anxiety issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and working from home. Dr. Agnes Joy Casiño, psychiatrist and technical consultant of the DOH Mental Health Division, told Katrina Domingo of ABS-CBN in an article published last August 2021 that a sixth of the respondents were also reported to have moderate to severe depression.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a great impact on our mental health, with the number of people experiencing major depression and other mental disorders increasing. Now more than ever, depression treatment and treatment for other forms of mental illness is of great importance.

Causes of Depression

Sometimes depression is caused by an imbalance in our bodies. In these cases, there are medications you can take to fix the problem. However, many people struggle with depressive symptoms without having anything physically wrong with them. It is a sickness of the mind. A good doctor will be able to distinguish if a person’s depression is caused by physical issues or mental ones.

DOH also enumerates three causes of depressive disorders:

  • Biologic – an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters-the chemicals in the brain that transmits messages between nerve cells-is believed to be key to depression.

  • Heredity – Individuals with major depression in their immediate family are up to three times more likely to have the disorder themselves.

  • External stressors and significant life changes – such as chronic medical problems, death of a loved one, divorce or estrangement, miscarriage, or loss of a job, also can result in a form of depression known as adjustment disorder.

Psychology Today maintains that depression is most connected with the number of stressors faced in life, and the effect is cumulative—the more stresses that build over time, the higher the probability of developing depression. Most people regard the death of a loved one or the end of a meaningful relationship as a big burden that needs considerable adjustment, affecting one’s mental health significantly.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression

People suffering from depression may experience multiple episodes. Here are some of the most common signs and depression symptoms that happen during such episodes:

  • Anxiety or agitation

  • Feelings of worthlessness or remorse, ruminating on previous failures, or blaming oneself

  • Having difficulty thinking, concentrating, making judgments, and remembering things

  • Loss of enjoyment or interest in most or all typical activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports

  • Rage, impatience, or frustration, even over little issues

  • Recurring thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide

  • Reduced appetite and weight reduction or increased food desires and weight gain

  • Sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness

  • Sleep problems, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping

  • Slowing of thought, speech, or movement

  • Tiredness and a lack of energy make even minor chores difficult

  • Unexplained physical issues such as back discomfort or headaches

How to Treat Depression

If you are struggling with depression, there is hope. It is possible to treat depression. There are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medication, and self-care. With treatment, most people with depression start to feel better. If you think you might be depressed, or you have depression symptoms, it is important to see a mental health professional so you can get an accurate diagnosis and make a plan to start feeling better. Depression is treatable, and there are many mental health resources available to help you.

Generally, treating depression involves a mix of medicine and psychotherapy. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or another health professional may conduct therapy sessions.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy tries to identify and assist in the modification of potentially self-destructive or harmful habits. It is based on the premise that all habits are learned and that harmful behaviors may be modified.

The focus of counseling is frequently on present issues and how to address them. This sort of treatment typically focuses on assisting patients in engaging in activities that will improve their sense of well-being.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy seeks to identify the negative ideas and feelings that contribute to depression. This sort of therapy assists people in identifying problematic thought habits and changing them to more productive ones. Cognitive therapy is often short-term, lasting 6 weeks to 4 months.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy. This type of treatment alters cognitive processes in order to influence moods and actions. It is founded on the assumption that bad acts or sentiments are caused by present incorrect ideas or thoughts, rather than by unconscious forces from the past.

CBT is a combination of cognitive and behavioral treatment. It focuses on the negative thought patterns as well as the actions that lead to depression.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a 12- to 16-session short-term psychotherapy used to treat depression and other illnesses. IPT, as the name implies, focuses on your interpersonal connections and social interactions, including how much assistance you receive from others and how these relationships affect your mental health.

Problem Solving Therapy

Problem-solving therapy (PST) is a cognitive and behavioral intervention intended to help people better manage their life challenges. PST is used in a number of contexts to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and others. This action-oriented method is generally brief, lasting one to three months, with clients attending weekly 60-minute sessions.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy entails discussing your concerns and feelings with a skilled therapist. Your therapist can assist you in identifying thinking or behavior patterns that lead to depression. You may be given assignments such as mood tracking or journal writing. This will allow you to continue receiving therapy outside of scheduled visits. Your therapist can also teach you relaxation skills and help you comprehend your sickness.

A therapist can assist you in developing techniques to detect and prevent any triggers that worsen your depression. This involves devising coping methods for when you are confronted with these triggers. Talk therapy can help with short-term or moderate depression. It may often alleviate severe depression, but only in conjunction with other therapies, such as medicine.

A licensed mental health professional may prescribe antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers and conduct psychotherapies. Mental health treatment, especially during the early stages of depression, can not only relieve symptoms but also prevent severe symptoms of depression.

Treatment for Depression at Milestone Health & Wellness

Feeling depressed is a terrible thing. It’s like cancer for the soul and the longer you leave it the more it grows. Depression takes away your energy even when you have enough rest. It takes away your motivation to get out of bed and face the day. It can turn you into an unpleasant person that people want to avoid. Depression is a serious issue and it can destroy your life if you allow it to go untreated.

 

If you are struggling with feelings of depression or you deal with depression symptoms, a mental health professional here at Milestone Health & Wellness can help treat depression.