Symptoms of a Depressive Episode
Symptoms must cause significant distress and last for at least two weeks.
Demographic Risks for Depression
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Significant weight
- Change diminished concentration
- Sleep difficulties
- Fatigue
- Nearly every day feelings of worthlessness
- Recurring thoughts of death
- Women are 2x more likely to develop depression.
- Family history of depression or similar disorders.
- About 1 in 10 people will experience depression during their lifetime.
- Poverty, unemployment, social isolation, and other stressful life events.
- Most people experience their first depressive episode between ages 20 and 30.
- Regular drug and alcohol use.
TREATMENTS
- Psychotherapy
(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- CBT works by changing self-defeating thoughts and behaviours.
- CBT is equally, if not more effective than medicine in many cases.
- CBT is the most researched form of psychotherapy for depression.
- Medication
- (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
- SSRIs increase the level of serotonin (a chemical related to depression) in the brain.
- Studies suggest that SSRIs are the most effective when used to treat severe depression.
- SSRIs don’t work overnight – it might take up to 6 weeks before they reach their full effect.
A combination of both psychotherapy and medication has been found to be the most effective treatment for depression.