Depressive Episode

What is a depressive episode?

A major depressive episode is a period of time (at least 2 weeks) when you feel depressed or lose interest in things you generally enjoy. You feel sad, have low energy, lose interest in things you care about, and there could be changes to your sleep patterns.

These experiences are not typical for you. It arises and stays for a period of time and then goes away. But it can happen again and again. When you have one or more depressive episodes, it falls under the overarching diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Most common symptoms

A depressive episode causes low mood and loss of interest in the things you love for at least 2 weeks. Other symptoms of depression include sleep changes, loss of energy, fatigue, and irritability.

Main symptoms

• Depressed mood, most of the day, everyday
• Loss of interest in the things you love
• Sleep changes (sleeping more or less)
• Loss of energy
• Weight loss
• Restless
• Inability to concentrate
• Feelings of guilt or worthless
• Thoughts of hurting yourself and suicidal thoughts

Other symptoms you may have

• Difficulty with memory, concentration, and organization
• Weight gain
• Irritability rather than sadness, often seen in kids
• Body pain

Risk factors

About 7% of the U.S. population experiences major depressive disorder and depressive episodes. It can happen at any time, but the first one often happens around puberty or a little later.

Other risk factors include having a negative view of things, adverse life experiences (like job loss, grief, trauma, lack of money), negative environment (like poor living conditions, lack of social support), and a family history of mental illness. As many as 40% of people with depression have a family history of it.

Next steps

If you are dealing with depression, first realize you are not alone. Many people experience it.

Secondly, understand that it is a medical condition that needs treatment. It’s not just that you’re feeling down. Untreated depression can be dangerous and is the leading cause of suicide, according to a study published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Many mental health providers are trained to help you get through a depressive episode.

Causes

Although there is not one direct cause of depressive episodes, there are a few things that may them more likely:

• A family history of depression
• A personal history of depression
• Other medical disorders (both physical and psychiatric disorders)
• Poor social factors (like lack of money or social support)
• Negative thinking

Treatment

The good news is that depressive episodes are treatable and many mental health providers are trained to help. About 80% to 90% of people respond well to treatment.

The most common treatment for depression is talk therapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT), medication (antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications), behavioral health changes (like exercise), and sometimes a combination of all three. You can find a local mental health provider at psychologytoday.com

Medication

Common medications for the treatment of depression are:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medication

Procedures

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation for severe depression
• Electroconvulsive therapy for treatment-resistant, severe depression only

Depression coping skills

• Get to know your own warning signals of a depressive episode (sleep disruption, low mood, change in appetite), and seek treatment early.
• Manage the parts of your health that you can—get adequate sleep, have healthy eating habits, exercise regularly, and try to include stress-reducing activities like yoga and meditation.

Follow up

• Take medications exactly as prescribed.
• Continue to see your therapist and have regular check-ins with the doctor prescribing your medication.
• If you experience side effects, tell your doctor.
• If you haven’t had symptoms for 6 months or more, you may want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of tapering off your medications.
• Always check with your doctor first before making any changes to your medications.

Preventative tips

Having healthy lifestyle behaviors helps prevent depression, like:

• Exercise
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating healthfully
• Stress management like meditation
• Talking about your feeling and thoughts early