Because of celebrities like Michelle Williams, Kristen Bell, and Demi Lovato who have openly shared their experiences with depression, the latter is discussed more openly today than ever. However, due to the stigma attached to mental illness, people are still afraid to talk about the “problem” and do not know how to differentiate between symptoms of depression and temporary emotional depression.
Here are some ways that can help distinguish between a temporary depressive state and a form of it.
Understanding depression
The first thing people need to understand is that depression is much more than a prolonged phase of intense sadness. According to Dr. Daniel G. Amen, author and psychiatrist, depression manifests itself as a result of biological problems in the brain and is an extremely complex illness with a challenging set of symptoms.
Dr. Brain Cassmassi, a psychiatrist and mental health consultant in Los Angeles, shared that for a person to be diagnosed with clinical depression, they must meet certain criteria after suffering an episode of sadness of more than two weeks, for the most part. of the year. day, or every day. Some of these criteria include changes in appetite, changes in sleep pattern, fatigue, a feeling of guilt or worthlessness, and a feeling of apathy. In some cases, the individual may also be suicidal.
Clinical depression Vs temporary depression
According to Dr. Barbara Nosal, Ph. D., therapist and clinical director at Newport Academy, in the case of clinical depression, at least five symptoms typically persist for more than two weeks. On the other hand, if an individual suffers from temporary depression, only two depressive symptoms would be present. Also, if a person can still find pleasure or pleasure in things and hobbies that made him happy in the past, it is not a sign of clinical depression. In the case of clinical depression, it can be very difficult to enjoy any type of activity. In addition, the affected person also struggles with feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Temporary episodes of depression often have triggers that are easier to detect. Dr. Cassmassi explained that major episodes of depression, on the other hand, can occur without an easily identifiable trigger, especially for people with a history of repeated episodes of the mental disorder. Dr. Nosal shared that triggers such as social isolation, trauma as a result of abuse, major life changes, or conflict in personal relationships can trigger clinical depression.
Dr. Cassmassi also stated that while transient suicidal thoughts are common in both situational and clinical depression, if someone has more definite suicidal thoughts, it is an important sign of clinical depression that needs immediate medical intervention.
Treat clinical depression
Clinical depression can be treated with a combination of medications and certain psychotherapies. The most effective therapies designed to help patients with clinical depression include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) .
CBT helps patients identify self-defeating thoughts and judgments that make life more challenging. The therapy focuses on teaching the patient to think differently so that the negative thought process can be broken down and replaced by a more positive one. DBT offers specific skills such as emotional regulation and mindfulness, while MET helps resolve any initial resistance to treatment. ABFT, which is specially designed for adolescent depression, repairs the parent-child relationship and family system. Dr. Cassmassi said therapy is a good option even if someone is experiencing short-term depression. With the help of a trained therapist, a person experiencing temporary depression can learn to handle the next period of emotional depression or the next stressful event in a much better way and prevent the episode from turning into full-blown clinical depression.
Seeking help for depression
Depression affects more than 7.5 percent of Americans age 12 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With the help of a comprehensive depression treatment plan, comprising therapies, medications, or both, clinical depression can be effectively managed.
