Major Depressive Episode Overview
Understanding the signs and triggers of a depressive episode can help you get through even the most trying of episodes. Learn how to recognize the signs of a depressive episode and dig into the most common causes with the help of this article. We will provide helpful advice to get you through this trying time.
What is a Depressive Episode?
Depression is characterized by prolonged sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or enjoyment in things that used to bring the person joy. It is an essential part of the clinical diagnosis of depression, known as major depressive disorder. A person’s mental, emotional, and physical health can all be negatively impacted by the symptoms they experience during a depressive episode.
How to Get Out of a Depressive Episode?
It can be challenging and overwhelming to cope with a depressive episode. Remember that your personal journey is unique and that what helps you may not help someone else. However, the following advice may prove useful in overcoming a depressive episode.
5 Tips to Cope with Depression Episode
- Kindness toward oneself is the first and most important step. Realize that you are not to blame for your feelings of depression. Feelings are valid and should be acknowledged; do so without shame or guilt. Help from people who will listen to you without judgment, such as family members or a therapist.
- Take care of yourself first and foremost right now. Even if it’s hard, try doing things that make you happy and comfortable. A warm bath, a stroll in the park, or some quality time with a furry friend are all examples of this type of self-care. Healing is a process, so give yourself time to recover.
- Create a routine that includes simple, manageable objectives. Divide large projects into smaller ones, and reward yourself for completing even the smallest of them. Your outlook and sense of accomplishment can benefit greatly from even the smallest successes.
- Self-compassion and introspection can help you challenge your negative thoughts. Pay attention to critical or negative thoughts about yourself, and try to replace them with more positive and realistic ones. If you struggle to overcome destructive thought patterns, therapy may offer helpful strategies and tools.
- Last but not least, keep in mind that you have support. Help from people you trust, like family, friends, or a local support group. Tell them how you feel and give them a chance to offer support.
Major Depressive Episode Symptoms
Depression can cause emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms. These symptoms vary in intensity and duration; not everyone will have them. Depression symptoms include:
- Chronic sadness: Feeling down, hopeless, or empty.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired even after resting.
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia or hypersomnia.
- Significant weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite and eating patterns.
- Having trouble focusing, remembering details, or making simple decisions.
- Constant self-blame, worthlessness, or guilt.
- Restlessness or slowness: Feeling agitated or slowed down.
- Frequently thinking about death or suicide.
- Physical symptoms: Undiagnosed headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain.
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Major Depressive Episode Fact Sheet
Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent Episode Moderate to Severe
Recurrent depressive disorder is a type of clinical depression. Rather than having one episode of depression, whether short or long, a person with recurrent depressive disorder will experience additional episodes of depression after periods without symptoms.
These episodes can be considered mild, moderate, or severe and with or without psychosis, depending on the number of symptoms and how much these symptoms impact an individual’s life.
Symptoms of recurrent depressive disorder are similar to those of any depression, except that the individual will be free from symptoms for weeks or even years before experiencing another episode.
Symptoms include the following:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness.
- Loss of interest in activities.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Irritability or anger.
- Changes in appetite or weight.
- Fatigue or lack of energy.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Anxiety or restlessness.
- Unexplained physical pains or gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Major Depressive Disorder with Single Episode
Some people might have an ICD 10 major depressive disorder single episode, while others experience it throughout their life. Regardless of how long your symptoms last, major depression can cause problems in relationships and daily activities.
Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent VS Major Depressive Disorder Single Episode ICD 10
The course of major depression and recurrent varies across individuals. Some people have isolated depressive episodes separated by many years. In contrast, others experience clusters of major depressive episodes that occur close together in time. Still, other people with depression experience increasingly frequent episodes as they age.
Single-episode depression is defined as a major depressive episode in an individual who does not have a history of such episodes. It is thought that the effects of depression treatment in people having major depressive disorder, single episodes unspecified, may be different from those in individuals with recurrent depression.
Major depressive disorder single episode mild ICD 10 can be temporary or a long-term challenge. Treatment doesn’t always make your depression go away completely. However, treatment often makes symptoms more manageable. Managing symptoms of depression involves finding the right combination of medications and therapies.
If one treatment doesn’t work, talk with your healthcare professional. They can help you create a different treatment plan that may work better in helping you manage your condition.
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Major Depressive Disorder Statistics
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities.
21.0 Million
In 2020, an estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.4% of all U.S. adults.
Source: NIMH
64%
Adults with a depressive disorder or episodes have a 64% greater risk of developing coronary artery disease.
Source: NIH
2nd
Mental Health (Depression, grief, and behavioral conduct) is the second leading workplace concern, following only family issues.
Source: Employee Assistance Professionals Association Survey, 2017
Types of Depression Episode
Many distinct forms of depression exist, each with symptoms and behavioral patterns. Here are some of the most typical:
Major Depressive Episode: The most common type is characterized by a persistent and pervasive low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite or weight, disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Seasonal Depressive Episode: This type of depression occurs in the fall or winter and may be linked to reduced sunlight exposure. Changes in appetite, sleepiness, energy, social withdrawal, and sadness or despair may be symptoms.
Postpartum Depressive Episode: This is characterized by extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion. It can impair mother-child care. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and motherhood challenges may cause postpartum depression.
Psychotic Depressive Episode: Hallucinations and delusions accompany depression in this episode. These symptoms are serious and need immediate treatment.
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FREE 24/7 Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Services HotlineHow Long Can a Major Depressive Episode Last?
A depressive episode’s length of time can differ from person to person. A clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires a depressive episode to last at least two weeks. While some episodes may only last a few weeks, others may linger for months.
Factors such as an individual’s unique biology, treatment efficacy, underlying medical conditions, and environmental factors can all impact the duration of a depressive episode. The length of a depressive episode varies from person to person, and it’s important to keep this in mind.
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Risk Factors of Major Depression Episodes
Although depression is most common in the teen, young adult, and early adult years, it can strike at any time. It’s possible that more women than men receive a depression diagnosis because women are more likely to seek help when they experience symptoms of depression.
The likelihood of developing or experiencing a depressive episode may be influenced by the following:
- Negative personality traits are insecurities, a lack of confidence, and an overly critical or pessimistic outlook.
- Physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a strained relationship, or financial difficulties are all examples of traumatic or stressful events.
- Family history of mental illness (such as depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, or suicide)
- Existing as a person who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender or with genitalia that does not conform to biological norms (intersex) in a hostile environment.
- Personal or family history of depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or another serious mental illness
- Misuse of intoxicating substances
- Illnesses of a grave or persistent nature, such as cancer, stroke, persistent pain, and heart disease
- Some sleeping pills and blood pressure meds (always check with your doctor before changing your medication schedule).
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Popular Depressive Episodes FAQs
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What does a depressive episode feel like?
A depressive episode is characterized by an overwhelming sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that does not go away. The things that used to bring them joy may no longer do so. Alterations in eating and sleeping habits, fatigue, poor concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and suicidal ideation are also common. While everyone has their own unique experience with depression, these are some typical symptoms.
Tips to Cope and Combat Depressive Episodes
Coping with depression can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to help manage your symptoms. Exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep can help improve your mood. Talking to a therapist can also be beneficial as they can provide additional resources and help you process your thoughts and feelings. Lastly, knowing what triggers your depressive episodes can help you better prepare for them.
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Sources
[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun. Table 9, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Major Depressive Episode/Disorder Comparison. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t5/
[2] International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM/PCS) Transition – Background – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[3] Major Depression – National Institute of Mental health (NIMH)
[4] Otte C, Gold SM, Penninx BW, Pariante CM, Etkin A, Fava M, Mohr DC, Schatzberg AF. Major depressive disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Sep 15;2:16065. DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.65. PMID: 27629598.
[5] Jain A, Mitra P. Bipolar Affective Disorder. [Updated 2022 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558998/
[6] Depression – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
[7] VA Research on Depression – https://www.research.va.gov/topics/depression.cfm
[8] Living Well with Major Depressive Disorder – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
[9] Depression Screening – https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/depression/index.asp
[10] American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.)
