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Depression is rampant. It is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States (Major Depression, 2022). In 2022, about 50 million American adults suffer from a mental illness with 3.7 million more American youths (ages 12-17) suffering from at least one major depressive episode (Reinert, M., Nguyen, T., Fritze, D., 2021). That’s about 1 of every 6 people that you know (2020 Census State Redistricting Data, 2021; Reinert et. al., 2021). And those are pre-pandemic statistics. It is estimated that about 28% of people -or more than 1 in 4 people- are now depressed (McKoy, 2021). Regardless, know that you are not alone and that you can do something about it. It all starts with awareness.
Depression looks different in different individuals. Regardless, all depressed individuals have one thing in common; they have to show a specific number of symptoms from certain categories in order to be considered depressed (Major Depressive Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria, 2013). Here are the symptoms and their categories:
Criterion A
The essential feature of a major depressive episode is a period of at least 2 weeks during which there is either:
- depressed mood or
- the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities
Plus 5 or more of the following:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation).
- Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. (Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gain.)
- Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).
- Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Criterion B
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Criterion C
The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition
Criterion D
The occurrence of the major depressive episode is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
Criterion E
There has never been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode.
(Major Depressive Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria, 2013).
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please contact a professional. Know others can help.
When to Seek Help
According to the DSM-5, you should seek help when “The symptoms… persist for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 consecutive weeks” (Major Depressive Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria, 2013). Sadly, around half of the people who do have depression don’t get diagnosed or treated for it (Fulghum Bruce, 2021). So, if you or someone you know needs help, make sure to get it. Even more so knowing that there is a “ tendency for people who do not have a strong support system to fall prey to depression more easily” (The signs of depression and when to seek help, 2022). Professionals are out there who are more than willing to help. Know you have a support system you can fall back on.
Hotlines
There are two different types of hotlines that I know of: depression hotlines which are not to be confused with suicide-prevention hotlines. Depression hotlines are hotlines meant to “give you an array of resources about depression, including how to tell if you are suffering from it and where you can get help” (Crisis hotlines and resources, 2022). Suicide-prevention hotlines are, like the name implies, to help prevent suicides. The following are resources you can reach out to depending on your needs.
Depression Hotlines
- 24/7 National Mental Health Hotline 866-903-3787
- Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741
Suicide-Prevention Hotlines
- Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio 888-628-9454
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing) For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255
Therapists and Other Services Near You
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline 800-662-4357
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nova Scotia
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
(Crisis hotlines and resources, 2022).
Manifest Dreams: How to Change Your Negative Beliefs Now
Manifest Dreams: How to Make Positive Affirmations Work for You
Manifest Dreams: How to Challenge Your Self-Limiting Beliefs
Disclaimer: This site and its contents are for informational and educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.
References
24/7 Depression Hotline. (2022). Retrieved from Mental Health Hotline: https://mentalhealthhotline.org/depression-hotline/
Crisis hotlines and resources. (2022). Retrieved February 20, 2022, from American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines
Fulghum Bruce, D. (2021, September 17). Symptoms of Depression. Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression#:~:text=If%20your%20symptoms%20of%20depression%20are%20causing%20problems,your%20symptoms%20stay%20for%20any%20length%20of%20time.
Major Depressive Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria. (2013). In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth edition (pp. 160-165). Arlington: American Psychiatric Association.
The signs of depression and when to seek help. (2022). Retrieved from Piedmont: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/the-signs-of-depression-and-when-to-seek-help
