For well over two thousand years, depression has been acknowledged as a problem for humanity. Cultures throughout history have had different terms for it, and various ways of conceptualizing it. Perhaps most famously in the West, the Greeks and Romans referred to it as melancholia. In Greco-Roman culture, this state of being had associations with the underworld, the dismal place through which many mythological figures traveled. 

Understanding Depression

Depression is more than just feeling down, it’s a complex mood disorder that affects all areas of life. And, unfortunately, it’s fairly prevalent. At some point in their lifetime, 17% of the U.S. population will meet the criteria for a depressive disorder. The condition also appears to affect women more than men, with a ratio of approximately 2:1. Despite its pervasiveness, only half of Americans who suffer an episode of major depression actually reach out for professional help, even though treatment can be quite effective.

While everyone will naturally have periods of sadness, grief, or feeling down, depression goes beyond these experiences. It can, figuratively speaking, feel like an underworld of sorts. To meet the criteria for depression, typically an individual will have a collection of five or more symptoms, including a depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure, for more than two weeks. This usually comes with a noticeable change in previous functioning, which is often observed by others. The presence of depressive symptoms over an extended length of time may constitute chronic depression. 

Signs & Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person, as well as in degrees of severity. Common symptoms may include the following:

  • Depressed mood, sadness, despair, emptiness
  • Loss of interest in activities that normally bring pleasure
  • Feelings of guilt and/or worthlessness
  • Negative, pessimistic thinking
  • Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, hypersomnia (sleeping too much), and frequent awakenings
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Problems with concentration or decision-making
  • Irritability
  • Decreased sex-drive
  • Appetite disturbance (excessive/sudden weight gain or loss)
  • Psychomotor change (agitation or moving or talking so slowly that others notice)
  • Suicidal thoughts or preoccupation 

Interestingly, symptoms can also differ between men and women. For instance, men tend to experience a higher prevalence of anger and irritability associated with depression. These signs in men often get mistaken or overlooked as possible indicators of the condition.

Possible Causes & Contributors of Depression

Potential causes of depression can be either reactive, biological, or mixed.

  • Reactive:  occurs in response to identifiable stressors, which may be happening in the present (e.g., chronic work or family stress, marital troubles), or have taken place in the past (e.g., emotions stemming from unresolved trauma, abuse, or neglect). For some, depression may be an overlying condition that masks underlying emotions of anger and/or fear of abandonment, loss, separation, or rejection associated with unresolved issues from the past.
  • Biological: triggered by physical causes (e.g., thyroid dysfunction, female sex-hormone fluctuation, and side effects of certain medications, alcohol, or recreational drugs). While isolated use of drugs and alcohol does not typically lead to depression, chronic abuse patterns can alter brain chemistry and bring about depressive symptoms. Research also suggests that there can be an acquired or inherited predisposition to depression.
  • Mixed: combination of reactive and biological. This tends to begin the same way as reactive depressions yet, over time, physiological symptoms can emerge, which result from the effects of stress that appear to negatively impact certain aspects of brain functioning.

The Good News

While depression is indeed prevalent and can be debilitating, the good news is that we’re not destined to that dismal place forever. With the proper support, the great majority of those who suffer from it can recover. As counselors, we recognize that there may be any number of obstacles to contend with–stigma around mental health issues, denial, pride, lack of readiness to give up bad coping mechanisms, time, finances, etc. We understand these barriers and want to work with you to reduce, eliminate, or navigate them so you can receive the help you need. 

Many of the figures from Greco-Roman mythology who, for one reason or another, found themselves in the melancholic underworld needed a helper, ally, or friend to accompany them back to the upper world. Many of them came out of it with a gift, strength, or revelation that they didn’t have beforehand. At Grace Counseling, we would be honored to join you in your journey back to the world of light and life, and help you repurpose your hardship to your advantage. 

 

Nick Van Atta, LPCC is skilled at understanding the complexities of a person’s story, meeting them where they are at, and walking alongside them through hardships of depression, trauma, anxiety, or relational difficulties. Reach out to Nick or contact the front desk to schedule an appointment!

 

 

 

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). 

McRay, B., Yarhouse, M., & Butman, R. (2016). Modern psychopathologies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal (2nd ed.). IVP Academic.

Shedler, J. (2021). The personality syndromes. In R. Feinstein (Ed.), Personality Disorders. Oxford University Press.

Preston, J., O’Neal, J., & Talaga, M. (2021). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (9th ed.). New Harbinger.