HomeBlogPatientDecoding Clinical Talk: What is Depressive Disorder? Decoding Clinical Talk: What is Depressive Disorder? March 19, 2019Patient Being diagnosed with depressive disorder can be a scary moment. You may have a lot of concerns and questions. In fact, the first question may be: “What is a depressive disorder?” Several conditions fall under the “depressive disorder” umbrella. Depressive disorder is the clinical term used when reporting the severity, duration, and type of depression. According to Psychology Today, “A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood.” People with a depressive illness cannot merely ‘pull themselves together’ and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most people who experience it need treatment to get better. Depression symptoms include loss of interest in enjoyable activities, changing sleep patterns, restlessness, feeling worthless, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of suicide. If you experience these symptoms for longer than two weeks, you may be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Types of Depressive Disorders Major depressive disorder (MDD) is also called clinical depression. According to healthline: “MDD is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. In 2015, nearly 7 percent of Americans over age 18 had an episode of MDD.” Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) describes an ongoing, chronic form of depression that can last for months-to-years, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes called dysthymia, symptoms of PDD are similar but less severe and longer lasting than MDD. Major depression can happen for patients already experiencing persistent depression. The Mayo Clinic refers to this as “double depression.” Other forms of depressive disorder can severely impact quality of life: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs during a specific time of year, typically during winter months; Psychotic depression is depression with psychotic episodes like hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia; Postpartum depression is a major depressive disorder onset in the weeks and months following childbirth; Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is diagnosed in children and adolescents; Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is associated with severe depression symptoms, irritability, and tension as hormone levels fall following ovulation If you’re experiencing persistent mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of depression, or depression symptoms due to situational factors, you should seek medical help immediately. Causes of Depressive Disorder There is no single cause of depressive disorder. Biological factors, genetics, hormones, life events, etc. can all play a role. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, risk factors include: Personal or family history of depression; Major life changes, trauma, or stress; Certain physical illnesses and medications. Coping with Depressive Disorder Preventing depression can be difficult if not impossible. Several strategies can help you manage depressive symptoms. First, recognizing the signs of depression in yourself and seeking immediate help is critical. Limiting stress and talking about your mental health with family and friends can also help relieve pressure and self-doubt. Once you understand which form of depressive disorder you or a loved one are facing, you can talk with your doctor about the next steps toward treatment. There are also many self-help tips for managing depressive disorder on the GeneSight blog. Read more at https://genesight.com/blog/patient/4-ways-to-keep-your-depression-symptoms-in-check/ Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... 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Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more
Patient Cyberbullying: Unique Challenges and Impacts ‘We lost our daughter to cyberbullying.’ McKenna Brown was an accomplished hockey player and scholar, known for her kindness, when she became the target of int... Read more
Going Beyond Green, Yellow, Red on the GeneSight Report This blog summarizes key points discussed during the March 2024 GeneSight® Engage webinar Participants: Bernie Ranchero, MD, MS, MBA, medical direc... Read more
Healthcare Provider Top 5 Reasons Patients Stop Their Mood Disorder Treatment Mood disorder treatment for depression can be challenging – and patients may become frustrated when treatments don’t work. In fact, when people with depres... Read more
Patient The Impact of Gratitude on Depression and Anxiety “Say ‘Thank you,” a mother reminds her young kiddo. “T.G.I.F.!” we cheer at the end of a long week. We know it’s important to be thankful. But do we ... Read more
Patient The Silent Thief: The 5 Things Depression Can Steal “Depression is a thief,” writes Abhinav Chaurasia, a marketing automation specialist in an essay on LinkedIn. “It steals your joy, your motivation, and your abi... Read more
Patient How to Talk to Your Doctor about Anxiety Medication “When I was 27, I felt bad all the time,” writes Joanna Goddard on the popular Cup of Jo blog. She describes her initial experience with anxiety in detail. ... Read more
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Healthcare Provider It’s time to talk suicide: addressing stigma around a difficult topic Trigger Warning: This webinar discusses suicide. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. ... Read more
Patient Stress Relief Methods for Family Caregivers Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding and meaningful experience. However, the day in and day out of taking care of someone who is unwell also can be challen... Read more
Healthcare Provider Healthcare Professional Burnout and Links to Depression When Dr. Lorna Breen, an ER doc in Manhattan, died by suicide in April 2020, it opened up a public discussion about the burdens faced by healthcare professi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Antidepressant Withdrawal or Depression Reoccurrence? What Healthcare Providers Should Know People who stop taking antidepressants may do so for many reasons: they may feel like it isn’t working, may feel unable to cope with side effects, or may not fe... Read more