Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms and Treatment

Everyone experiences feelings of depression at some point in their lives. You might feel down, sad, or defeated when something negative happens. For example, a divorce, losing a job, or the loss of a loved one could lead to depressive symptoms.

That said, some people experience prolonged and significant symptoms of depression. When depression begins to impact your ability to function in your daily life, you might have a major depressive disorder (MDD). This mental health condition is considered a mood disorder that is characterized by low mood or a loss of interest in activities for at least two weeks.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 21 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2021.[1]

If you suffer from MDD, you must seek professional treatment. Without help, this condition can lead to severe symptoms like self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, Palm City Wellness can help you recover with a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is major depressive disorder (MDD)
• What are the risk factors for MDD
• What are the symptoms of MDD
• How major depressive disorder is treated in Florida

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression and need treatment near Palm City, FL, please contact us today!

What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

Major depressive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by feelings of sadness and emptiness. It is also common to deal with a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities and an inability to feel pleasure. This condition might also be referred to as “clinical depression.”

A multitude of factors can cause MDD. The following factors are associated with an increased risk of developing major depressive disorder:

• Having a family history of depression
• Experiencing stressful life events like the loss of a loved one, divorce, or abuse
• Dealing with chronic medical conditions or co-occurring mental illnesses
• Suffering from substance abuse issues
• Taking certain medications that increase the risk of depression

According to Stanford Medicine, people with a family history of depression are two to three times more likely to develop a depressive disorder like MDD.[2]

What are the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

The easiest way to understand the symptoms of major depressive disorder is to take a look at how it is diagnosed. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) requires 5 or more of the following symptoms to be present for at least two weeks.[3] Additionally, one of the symptoms must be either a depressed mood or a loss of interest and pleasure.

The diagnostic criteria for MDD include:[3]

• Experiencing a depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day
• Diminished pleasure or interest in most or all activities
• Experiencing significant weight loss and reduced appetite without dieting or exercising
• Insomnia or hypersomnia occurs frequently
• Symptoms of restlessness or being “slowed down” that are noticeable to others
• Dealing with fatigue and loss of energy most days
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death and suicide or making attempts at suicide and self-harm

Additionally, to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder these symptoms must cause distress at work, school, and home. It is also important to note that there must not be a physiological reason for these symptoms such as a diagnosable health condition. And lastly, you must not have experienced a manic episode previously, as this would indicate bipolar disorder.

How Does Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Palm City Work?

People with depression must receive professional treatment to experience an improvement in their symptoms and side effects. Without treatment, you could experience a significant inability to perform in your daily life and develop suicidal thoughts or attempts, making this condition potentially life-threatening without professional help.

Thankfully, mental health rehab centers like Palm City Wellness offer evidence-based treatment options for MDD clients. Our treatment plans include:

Antidepressant medications

If you have a major depressive disorder, you might require medication to manage your symptoms. Some individuals can use medication short-term until therapy provides improvement, while others need the medication long-term. Either way, medication can improve symptoms like low mood, lessen suicidal thoughts, and provide heightened energy or focus.

It is common for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to be used to treat MDD. Other medications are available, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.[4]

Therapy

In addition to medication, treatment centers like Palm City Wellness will provide you with talk therapy. During talk therapy, you will learn about the root causes and contributing factors of your depression. If traumatic events led to the development of your condition, you will work through the feelings and memories associated with them.

Aside from talk therapy, behavioral therapies can help manage major depressive disorder. For example, a study found that patients who only received medication had a 39% chance of recovery. The patients who only received treatment through cognitive behavioral therapy had a 61% chance of recovery, making it more successful.[5]

Lifestyle Changes

At Palm City Wellness, we will help you create healthy lifestyle changes that support recovery from major depressive disorder. For example, having a daily routine can keep you feeling motivated and accomplished, while preventing boredom. These benefits will lessen the severity of yoDonur symptoms over time.

Other lifestyle changes that can support recovery from depression include:

• Having a healthy sleeping routine
• Eating well and exercising often
• Taking time out of each day for self-care
• Attending therapy regularly
• Sticking to a medication regimen
• Making time for social activities each week
• Avoiding isolation that can lead to depressive symptoms

Compassionate Depression Treatment in Palm City, Florida

If you or a loved one suffers from major depressive disorder, it’s time to seek help. At Palm City Wellness, we combine evidence-based therapies with compassionate care to give clients access to the holistic support they need to change their lives for the better. Treatment plans are based on individual needs and include a combination of therapy, medication, and learning how to make important lifestyle changes.

Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs for depression.

References:

1. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Major Depression 
2. Stanford Medicine: Major Depression and Genetics
3. Uptodate.com: DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode
4. Aafp.org: Pharmacologic Treatment of Depression
5. Psych.theclinics.com: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression