Is There A Cure For Depression?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), major depressive disorder (MDD) is considered one of the most common mental conditions in the US. In 2020, an estimated 21 million adults and 4.1 million adolescents had at least one major depressive episode. Of these millions, some experience difficulty accomplishing daily tasks, causing a significant decrease in quality of life.
Symptoms of depression can be debilitating, leaving many hoping that there is a cure or that their depression can go into remission. To understand how to cope with depression, it may be helpful to look at the available treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce symptom severity.
What causes depression?
The causes of depression vary, so there is no singular cause. In some cases, a stressful, upsetting, or traumatic event can cause a depressive episode. In other situations, people may experience depression because of a combination of factors, such as recovering from a serious illness or losing a job.
Some people experience depression due to a physiological or biological component, such as genetics or an imbalance of brain chemicals. Whatever the cause, reaching out for mental health support to manage symptoms can be beneficial. Below are further explanations of these causes.
Genetics
Some researchers believe genes may play a role in the risk of developing depression. Family and twin studies have shown a correlation between a family history of depressive disorder and heritability. According to research, people with a parent or sibling who has experienced depression are 2.8 to 10 times more likely to develop depression.
Substance use
The balance of neurotransmitters in your brain can also be damaged by substance use. This chemical change in the brain can form a cycle in which individuals experience depression, overuse substances, and experience worsened depression. For example, depression and alcohol use can be related to the pharmacological effect of alcohol as a depressant, especially when heavy drinking.
Life changes
For some, depression can occur after significant lifestyle changes, like moving to a new place, losing a loved one, or losing a job. Some people adjust to new situations, while others take time to understand the change.
Hormones
People can also experience depression related to hormone challenges at various stages of their lives. For example, parents may develop a severe form of depression after the birth or adoption of a new child called postpartum depression. Postpartum hormone changes and sleep deprivation can lead to higher rates of this form of depression in women after birth. However, non-birthing parents can also experience anxiety and depressive symptoms and may not reach out due to social stigmas.
Combinations of the above
For some, a combination of more than one of the above situations can cause depression.
For example, someone may undergo a difficult experience and explore substance use, which can feel uncontrollable, aggravating depression.
Is there a treatment to cure depression?
There are several options for treatment for those seeking to alleviate their symptoms and find a place of recovery. Although symptom remission may be possible, there is no “cure” for depression.
Talk therapy
Talk therapies may be what you think about when you think about therapy for depression and other mental health conditions. During a talk therapy session, an individual meets with a licensed therapist or counselor to discuss their feelings and how to manage their emotions during difficult times.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that has been highly researched due to its efficacy in treating depression. CBT is centered around the concept that certain psychological problems are caused by maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors. A CBT therapist can help clients identify these patterns and guide them through new systems of behavior and thought while coping with challenging symptoms or situations.
There are over 400 therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy (IPT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). If you don’t find one method effective, another may work for you.
Medication
Medications for depression work by altering your brain chemistry and balancing the neurotransmitters to healthy levels. The most prescribed medications are antidepressants. The American Psychological Association recommends second-generation antidepressants. However, consult your doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication.
Mixed approaches
Because the causes of depression can be multifactorial, some healthcare providers and psychotherapists choose a combination of medication and therapy to treat depressive disorders. For people with clinical depression, medication may be enough. However, the most improvement may be found from a combined approach. In some cases, medication can lessen symptoms enough to allow significant progress in therapy.
Exploring alternative support options
The best treatment for you may be based on your unique mental health history, personality, and preferences. Before deciding which type of therapy you want to try, contact a professional clinician to receive a diagnosis or try a depression screening. From there, you can begin interviewing different therapists to find one you feel may benefit you.
Therapy is available to everyone. However, some people may experience availability challenges that make finding the professional support they need difficult. For example, people from rural communities may not have specialized providers in their area. Further, counselors and therapists are often expensive without insurance. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may reduce barriers to care.
Online therapy can be more affordable for people without insurance. In addition, research shows that virtual therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, with people showing improved depression and anxiety symptoms with regular talk therapy sessions.
Takeaway
Before choosing a treatment, look for a specialist that fits all your preferences for therapy. In addition, consider whether you’d like to try online or in-person therapy. You can interview several therapists to find one that works for you. You’re not alone, and many support options are available for depression.
Is there a permanent cure for depression?
While the question “Is there a cure for depression?” has been asked in the mental health community for decades, there is currently no permanent cure for depression. However, people can experience remission or a period of time when they are symptom-free. Remission is often achieved through treatment.
There are a variety of effective ways to treat depression, such as certain types of medication (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT sessions can help individuals address the symptoms of their depression and find healthy long-term coping methods. Therapists can also help to identify the causes of depression in order to formulate a more effective treatment plan.
Do people ever overcome depression?
While it may not be possible to cure depression, there are techniques one can use that can relieve depression symptoms or help someone achieve full remission. These techniques may include:
- Therapy: Treatment approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been proven to be effective treatments for individuals experiencing depression. CBT can help those living with depression in a variety of ways, including by allowing them to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more beneficial ones.
- Exercise: Exercise can have a number of benefits that may ease the symptoms of depression, including the release of endorphins and the reduction of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This can boost mood, lower stress, and create a general sense of positive well-being.
- Avoid Harmful Substances: Substances like alcohol are often used as a negative coping strategy for depression, as they may provide a temporary escape from feelings of hopelessness or sadness. However, the symptoms of depression can worsen once these substances wear off, and may lead to co-occurring conditions like substance use disorder.
Do people have lifelong depression?
Individuals with depression may experience symptoms for their entire lives; however, it isn’t a certainty. Depressive episodes may occur sporadically or consistently, depending on what type of depression a person is living with. For example, persistent depressive disorder (also referred to as “dysthymia”) can present with longer-lasting but milder symptoms than major depression. However, treatments like psychotherapy and antidepressant medication may help to alleviate symptoms or bring these disorders into remission.
Depending on your treatment history and the views of your doctor, other treatments may also be used to relieve symptoms. Alternative therapies may be more common in patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. These treatments can vary but may include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). In addition, a person may try certain lifestyle changes, like relaxation techniques, exercise, and the use of herbal remedies, to further help alleviate the symptoms of their depression.
What is the most depressing age?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression prevalence was highest for those between 18 and 24 years old, with 21.5% of depressed individuals falling into this range. The lowest prevalence, 14.2%, was among those over the age of 65. In addition, the age-standardized prevalence of depression was lower for men (13.3%) and higher for women (24%), lower for adults who had received a college degree (15.4%) or a high school diploma (18.5%), and higher for those who had not attained a high school education (21.2%).
What are the 4 main causes of depression?
While information on the mechanisms that may cause a person to develop depression is constantly changing, four potential causes of depression may include:
- Certain Medications and Substances: The side effects of some medications, like those for acid reflux, anxiety, allergies, birth control, pain, and blood pressure, may lead to the development of depression.
- Family History of Mental Illness: Those with family who have experienced depression or other mental illnesses may be at a higher risk for developing a depressive disorder. While further research is necessary, this may be due to genetic factors or the parenting styles of those living with depression.
- Chronic Illnesses: Due to the lifestyle changes and health effects of long-term illness, a person experiencing a chronic condition may be more likely to develop depression. These risks may be higher in those experiencing conditions that affect the brain, cause sleep disturbances, or result in hormonal imbalances.
- Stress: Stressful events, like unemployment, losing one's home, the death of a loved one, or the termination of a relationship may also cause a person to develop depression.
How many years do people with depression live?
Research shows that individuals experiencing depression may have a substantially lower life expectancy. One study involved analyzing results from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), a health survey of adults in Canada. By following mortality outcomes from 1994 to 2009 for participants over the age of 20 years, researchers measured both premature mortality and health-related quality of life or HRQOL (which they combined into the health-adjusted life expectancy or HALE.) Their analysis found that participants with depression had a significantly lower HALE than non-depressed participants, with the majority of the difference being in the differences in their HRQOL.
What can long-term depression lead to?
Long-term, severe, or moderate depression can lead to a variety of consequences and mental health concerns, including:
- Challenges in interpersonal relationships
- Chronic fatigue
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Higher risk for medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, pulmonary disorders, and respiratory disorders
- Feelings of guilt and hopelessness
However, these outcomes are not guaranteed. Individuals may also achieve relief from certain consequences through treatment.
Can depression change your personality?
There are conflicting viewpoints on whether depression can change your personality, with some research suggesting that a major depressive episode may not change self-reported personality traits. In fact, personality may contribute to the development of depression, with one study showing that certain traits can contribute to the onset and course of depression through a variety of pathways. These personality traits vary but may include negative emotionality, neuroticism, positive emotionality, extraversion, and conscientiousness. These conflicting results suggest that further research may be necessary before a conclusion on the subject can be drawn.
What type of people usually get depression?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals who have experienced abuse, severe losses, and other stressful events may be more likely to develop depression. The WHO also estimates that 3.8% of the global population (and 5% of all adults, 6% among women and 4% among men) experience depression. In addition, depression occurs 50% more often in women than men. While a significant portion of individuals with depression seek treatment, it's still estimated that 75% of those living in low to middle-income countries will receive no treatment at all.
How does one get depressed?
Depression is a complicated condition, and there may not be one single reason that a person develops a depressive disorder. One reason that a person may experience severe depression can be a traumatic experience. For example, survivors of abuse may have a difficult time trusting others, which could lead to isolation. Over time, this isolation may develop into mental disorders like depression. However, it's important to note that in cases of abuse, a person may receive a misdiagnosis for depression when they are actually experiencing PTSD, due to the overlap in PTSD and depression symptoms. In other cases, a person may be experiencing both depression and PTSD as comorbidities.
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