Understanding the difference between clinical depression and emotional collapse

Understanding the difference between clinical depression and emotional collapse

With celebrities like Michelle Williams, Kristen Bell and Demi Lovato openly sharing their experiences with depression, the latter is now being discussed more openly than ever before. Because of the stigma associated with mental illness, people are still afraid to talk about the "problem" and don't know how to differentiate between the symptoms of depression and a temporary emotional slump.

Below are some ways that can help differentiate between a temporary depressive state and a form of it.

Understanding depression

The first thing people need to understand is that depression is much more than a prolonged period of intense sadness. According to Dr. According to Dr. Daniel G. Amen, an author and psychiatrist, depression manifests itself as a result of biological problems in the brain and is an extremely complex illness with a range of challenging symptoms.

Dr. Brain Cassmassi, a psychiatrist and mental health counselor in Los Angeles, shared that to be diagnosed with clinical depression, a person must meet certain criteria after feeling sad for more than two weeks most of the day or every day. Some of these criteria include changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and apathy. In some cases, the person may also be suicidal.

Clinical depression versus temporary depression

According to Dr. Barbara Nosal, Ph.D., therapist and chief clinical officer at Newport Academy, in clinical depression, at least five symptoms usually persist for more than two weeks. On the other hand, when a person suffers from temporary depression, only two depressive symptoms are present. Even if a person still enjoys things and hobbies that made them happy in the past, this is not a sign of clinical depression. In the case of clinical depression, it can be extremely difficult to derive pleasure from any type of activity. In addition, the affected individual also combats feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

Temporary episodes of depression usually have triggers that are easier to recognize. Dr. Cassmassi explained that severe episodes of depression, on the other hand, can occur without an easily identifiable trigger, particularly in individuals with a history of repeated bouts of the mental disorder. Dr. Nosal shared that triggers such as social isolation, trauma resulting from abuse, major life changes, or conflicts in personal relationships can trigger clinical depression.

Dr. Cassmassi also explained that suicidal thoughts are common in both situational and clinical depression. However, if someone has more specific suicidal thoughts, this is an important sign of clinical depression that requires immediate medical intervention.

Treatment of clinical depression

Clinical depression can be treated with a combination of medications and certain psychotherapies. The most effective therapies to support patients with clinical depression include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational therapy (MET), and attachment-based family therapy (ABFT).

CBT helps patients identify self-defeating thoughts and judgments that make life more difficult. Therapy focuses on teaching the patient to think differently so that the negative thought process can be interrupted and replaced with a more positive one. DBT offers specific skills such as emotional regulation and mindfulness, while MET helps resolve any type of initial resistance to treatment. ABFT, designed specifically for adolescent depression, repairs the parent-child relationship and the family system. Dr. Cassmassi said therapy is a good option even if someone is going through short-term depression. With the help of an experienced therapist, a person experiencing a temporary depression can learn to cope much better with the next emotional phase or stressful event and prevent the episode from turning into full-blown clinical depression.

I'm looking for help with depression

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects more than 7.5 percent of Americans ages 12 and older. Clinical depression can be effectively treated with the help of a comprehensive depression treatment plan that includes therapy, medication, or both.

Inspired by Susan Navarez