What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Around 150,000 Norwegians struggle with depression each year. About 1 in 7 will experience it at some point in their lives. Today, the term 'depression' has become part of everyday speech and is often used in informal settings. But how does depression differ from sadness or other states of low mood? Read on to learn more about depression.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression is characterized by a spectrum of symptoms that are present to varying degrees in each individual case. In many cases, people with depression experience persistent feelings of sadness or low humor. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt are also common. Many people find that activities that once aroused interest and joy are no longer worth the effort. Life itself can feel empty and meaningless. Depression can also make it difficult to concentrate or make decisions. In severe cases, individuals may struggle with recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts.

Depression is also associated with somatic complaints, such as changes in relation to food, or significant weight loss or gain. Sleep is another domain often affected by depression. In some cases, depression is associated with insomnia, while other people find that they sleep less than before. In both cases, fatigue and low energy during waking hours are prevalent.

What causes depression?

Many different factors play a role in the development of depression. Each of these factors interacts with each other in a complex relationship that is unique to each person. First, a person's genetic makeup has an impact on their risk of developing depression. If a person has close relatives with depression, they are at increased risk of developing it themselves. Whether this risk materializes depends on the presence of other factors.

Another category of factors related to genetic risk is biochemical in nature. Our brains work using chemicals called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. In some individuals, these chemicals can become imbalanced. These chemical imbalances are then associated with an increased likelihood of developing depression.

The third category of factors are psychological. These are often the factors we first think of when we think of depression. Specific psychological experiences can trigger or increase the risk of developing depression. These experiences include trauma, grief or prolonged stress. Depression is also comorbid (i.e. co-occurs with) other mental health disorders such as PTSD or anxiety disorders.

A fourth category includes environmental factors The development of depression is associated with a wide range of life experiences. Some examples of this are chronic illness, life events such as the loss of a loved one, or the difficulties associated with poverty and low socioeconomic status. Everyone experiences these challenges differently: a situation that triggers depression in one person may not necessarily do so in another.

Who is affected by depression?

Depression affects people of all ages, from childhood to old age. Both men and women are affected, with a higher incidence among women. It is not limited to specific social groups and is found in people of all socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds. As mentioned above, depression is more prevalent in people with a family history of depression or other mental disorders.

Treatment of depression

Traditional treatments

A variety of approaches have proven useful in the treatment of depression, from pharmaceutical to holistic approaches. Perhaps the oldest treatment for depression is psychotherapy. There are many different schools of psychotherapy, but some of the most common are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISDTP) and emotion-focused therapy (EFT). At Psykologvirke, we have excellent therapists with many years of experience in all of the above-mentioned approaches.

Another well-established approach to treating depression is medication. There are many different types of antidepressants, and the effects vary from individual to individual. These drugs can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, but their ability to change the underlying causes of the condition is often limited.

In recent years, our understanding of depression has become more holistic, which has led to an increased focus on lifestyle changes. When depression affects motivation, diet or sleep, these changes can worsen depressive symptoms. Treatments that focus on helping people exercise regularly, eat healthy, get adequate sleep and manage stress are now a central part of most depression treatment programs. Similarly, some people find that practices such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga also have a positive effect on their depressive symptoms.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy

The past decade has seen renewed interest in the use of psychedelic drugs, such as MDMA, in the treatment of depression. In psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, people take the drug in therapy with a pair of therapists. The safe therapeutic context and the effects of the drug work together to soften psychological defenses and activate unconscious material. Researchers suggest that psychedelics may be useful in treating the underlying causes of depression, not just the symptoms. If you are interested in learning more about the use of MDMA in therapy, you can read more here. For a video discussion about the use of MDMA in the treatment of PTSD with Psykologvirke's manager, Ivar Goksyøyr, and the world-renowned trauma specialist, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, click here.

What is the prognosis for those with depression?

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, there is good news: many people experience significant improvement in their condition with the right treatment. In some cases, depressive episodes occur more than once, but many experience only a single episode. Good results are associated with getting access to treatment early and following the agreed treatment plan. In situations where the depression is chronic or severe, the treatment may be more long-term.

What other disorders are common with depression?

Depression co-occurs with many other disorders, often as a reaction to the difficulties of living with a mental health disorder. Common comorbid disorders include anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and chronic physical health problems (eg, heart disease, diabetes).

How to recognize depression symptoms in yourself or others

The first signs of depression are often noticeable changes in mood or behavior. These may include persistent feelings of sadness, reduced interest in social activities or unusual levels of irritability. In some cases, significant changes in weight, appetite or sleep patterns can be an early indicator of the onset of depression. People who develop depression often find that they have less energy or motivation for daily activities than they used to. The challenges in everyday life can seem meaningless or worthless. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, we can help. To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced therapists, please follow the link below.