What does depressed mean

It is important to tell your doctor about any medicines that you are taking. Generally, depression is a condition that cannot be prevented.

There are lifestyle changes you can make that can boost your mood and minimize symptoms of depression see depression treatment. Depression can be treated with medicines, with counseling , or with both. Lifestyle changes can help. This includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and too much caffeine. Depression usually can be treated through visits to your doctor. You may need in-hospital treatment if you have other medical conditions that could affect your treatment.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine to treat your depression. These are called antidepressants. They help increase the number of chemical messengers serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine in your brain. Antidepressants work differently for different people. They also have different side effects. You may notice improvement as soon as 1 week after you start taking the medicine. You may have side effects at first. They tend to decrease after a couple of weeks. Counseling may be a good treatment option for mild to moderate depression.

For major depression and for some people with minor depression, counseling may not be enough. A combination of medicine and talk therapy is usually the most effective way of treating more severe depression. If you continue the combination treatment for at least a year, you are less likely to have depression come back. In psychotherapy , you talk with a trained therapist or counselor about things that are going on in your life.

The focus may be on your thoughts and beliefs, on things that happened in your past, or on your relationships. Psychotherapy usually lasts for a limited time, such as 8 to 20 visits.

In more serious cases, your doctor may suggest the use of electroconvulsive therapy also called ECT or electroshock therapy.

This is a procedure used to treat certain mental illnesses. Electric currents are passed through the brain in order to trigger a seizure a short period of irregular brain activity.

It lasts about 40 seconds. Medicine is given during ECT to prevent damage to muscles and bones. The most important part of living with depression is not giving up. If you stay focused and are consistent with treatment, your mood will improve over time. People who have depression sometimes think about suicide.

This thinking is a common symptom of the depression. If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, tell someone. Tell your doctor, your friends, or your family. Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare professional about possible options.

Postpartum depression refers to depression that happens after childbirth. It is a common disorder after pregnancy, affecting 1 in 9 new parents. For many people, these symptoms go away in a couple of days. But if you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks post-childbirth, you may have postpartum depression.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can range from mild to severe and can include :. Postpartum depression is thought to be triggered by the dramatic hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy. Bipolar depression occurs in certain types of bipolar disorder when a person experiences a depressive episode.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes distinct changes in mood, energy, concentration, and the ability to carry out your day-to-day tasks.

People having a depressive episode may :. Symptoms during a depressive episode last every day for most of the day and can last for several days or weeks. If bipolar disorder is treated, many will experience fewer and less severe symptoms of depression, if they experience depressive episodes.

These 7 treatments may help ease symptoms of bipolar depression. Depression and anxiety can occur in a person at the same time. In fact, research has shown that over 70 percent of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.

You can work with them to identify coexisting symptoms of anxiety and depression and how they can be treated. Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD is a type of anxiety disorder.

It causes unwanted and repeated thoughts, urges, and fears obsessions. These fears cause you to act out repeated behaviors or rituals compulsions that you hope will ease the stress caused by the obsessions. People diagnosed with OCD frequently find themselves in a loop of obsessions and compulsions. If you have these behaviors, you may feel isolated because of them.

This can lead to withdrawal from friends and social situations, which can increase your risk for depression. Having one anxiety disorder can increase your odds for having another. Up to 80 percent of people with OCD also have major depression episodes. This dual diagnosis is a concern with children, too. Their compulsive behaviors, which may be first developing at a young age, can make them feel unusual. That can lead to withdrawing from friends and can increase the chance of a child developing depression.

Some individuals who have been diagnosed with major depression may also have symptoms of another mental disorder called psychosis. People with the condition may also experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability. The combination of the two conditions is particularly dangerous. Treatments include medications and electroconvulsive therapy ECT. Pregnancy is often an exciting time for people.

However, it can still be common for a pregnant woman to experience depression. Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:. Treatment for depression during pregnancy may focus entirely on talk therapy and other natural treatments.

Your healthcare provider may encourage you to try an alternative option until after the birth of your baby. The risks for depression can continue after the baby arrives. Postpartum depression , which is also called major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, is a serious concern for new mothers. Recognizing the symptoms may help you spot a problem and seek help before it becomes overwhelming. Research has established a link between alcohol use and depression.

People who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol. Out of the Drinking alcohol frequently can make symptoms of depression worse, and people who have depression are more likely to misuse alcohol or become dependent on it.

Read the full list of 15 ways you may be able to avoid depression. Depression can be temporary, or it can be a long-term challenge. However, treatment often makes symptoms more manageable. Accessed 12 Nov. More Definitions for depressed. See the full definition for depressed in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Nglish: Translation of depressed for Spanish Speakers. Britannica English: Translation of depressed for Arabic Speakers.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up. Save Word. Definition of depressed. Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life. Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can lead to depression.

However, doctors only consider feelings of grief to be part of depression if they persist. Depression is an ongoing problem, not a passing one. It consists of episodes during which the symptoms last for at least 2 weeks. Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years. Find out more about recognizing the hidden signs of depression. Below are some symptoms of depression that tend to appear more often in females:.

Also, some types of depression are unique to females, such as:. Males with depression are more likely than females to drink alcohol in excess, display anger, and engage in risk-taking as a result of the disorder. Learn more about the symptoms of depression in men. Time at college can stressful, and a person may be dealing with other lifestyles, cultures, and experiences for the first time.

Some students have difficulty coping with these changes, and they may develop depression, anxiety, or both as a result. Physical changes, peer pressure, and other factors can contribute to depression in teenagers.

The CDC estimate that, in the U. In children, symptoms can make schoolwork and social activities challenging. They may experience symptoms such as:.

Younger children may have difficulty expressing how they feel in words. This can make it harder for them to explain their feelings of sadness. The medical community does not fully understand the causes of depression. There are many possible causes, and sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms. Psychotherapy may help a person manage their symptoms of depression.

Support : This can range from discussing practical solutions and possible causes to educating family members. Psychotherapy : Also known as talking therapy, some options include one-to-one counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. Drug treatment : A doctor may prescribe antidepressants. A person should only take these medications as their doctor prescribes. Some drugs can take a while to have an impact. By stopping the drug, a person may not experience the benefits that it could offer.

Raise any concerns about antidepressants with a doctor, including any intention to stop taking the medication. Here, learn more about antidepressants and how they can help. Find out more about the possible side effects of antidepressants here. The warnings should indicate that, among other risks, these medications may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.

Some people use natural remedies, such as herbal medicines, to treat mild-to-moderate depression.