More than 450 million people worldwide have mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders and depression. In fact, depression affects more than 16 million people older than age 18 in the United States alone. It is the leading cause of disability in America. However, many people with depression don’t receive the treatment they need. Some people fail to receive treatment because they cannot afford it, while others may be too embarrassed or do not know where to go for treatment.
In some cases, individuals may simply be too depressed to see treatment—a classic sign of depression. Having depression can sometimes cause people to neglect their care, even when not seeing treatment for the depression often makes the condition worse. Some other symptoms of depression include:
- Losing interest in normally enjoyable activities
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than two weeks
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Memory loss
- Speaking or moving slower than usual
- Chronic fatigue
- Sleeping more than usual or not being able to stay asleep
- Weight gain or loss
- Eating more or less than usual
- Random aches and pains for no apparent reason
- Outbursts of anger or frustration that is unwarranted
- Crying for no reason
- Anxious or restless
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Different Types of Depression
There are several types of depression. While the most common is major depression, others such as persistent depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder are also common. Some of the most common types of depression are:
- Major depression:Characterized by at least five of the above symptoms including overwhelming sadness, losing interest in activities, and disruption to daily life
- Persistent depressive disorder:Depression lasts more than two years
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD):Affects individuals at certain times of the year, most often during winter. This is thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD): Affects women about a week before the start of their menstrual cycle and can include any of the above symptoms including breast tenderness and bloating
- Postpartum depression:Affects women who have just given birth or have recently been pregnant
- Bipolar depression or disorder:A condition that causes periods of extreme highs alternating with periods of severe, debilitating depression
Online Therapy
Any of these types of depression can be serious and can have a major impact on daily life, both personal and professional. Many people with depression continue to suffer for years without knowing what is wrong with them or they feel they do not need help. Leaving the house can be a big obstacle for many people with depression, so online therapy may be a suitable alternative. No appointment is needed, and individuals can do it from their home (or even bed), so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime, anywhere.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and we have been compensated through BetterHelp.com.
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
