What Are Depressive Episodes?
A major depressive episode doesn’t just mean “I got sad because a bad thing happened.” While life changes can cause a depressive episode, an episode itself goes well above and beyond regular, appropriate sadness. A major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks of low mood. People with major depressive disorder usually experience low self-esteem and low energy. They often lose interest in things that they enjoy and things that interest them. Which is really disheartening, in and of itself. The things that a person normally uses to restore themselves when they feel bad no longer do anything for them.
A depressive episode disrupts a person’s day-to-day life. It affects their work performance, their sleep, their eating habits, and their health. People with severe depression may isolate themselves, or have difficulty dealing with basic acts of self-care. Thoughts of suicide are not uncommon, and neither are attempts. Depression is complicated, but the good news is that we've studied it a lot and we have treatments for it. We know a lot about the biology and brain chemistry behind depression, and we can treat it with medication. When someone is experiencing depression the answer isn’t as simple as “cheer up,” or “go outside.” But there are certain cognitive and behavioral therapies that can sometimes be effective - when used alongside medication.
Image: Jordan Whitfield, via Unsplash.
Did you know...
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