It is very disheartening and discouraging when you’re struggling and believe that you’re having depression for no reason. When you look around you and see a good life with friends and family, a comfortable home, and needs that are met but you are experiencing depression, you might bombard yourself with negative thoughts about how you “should” be feeling. Negative thoughts that come from believing your depression has no reason can be crushing and worsen depression. Developing a different perspective and doing specific things can help you manage your feelings and lessen depression.

There’s No Reason for My Depression

Feeling that there’s no reason for you to be depressed can create thoughts such as:

• “I should be happy.”
• “I have so much to be grateful for. I’m a terrible person for being depressed.”
• “Others have it worse than I do, and they’re fine. What’s wrong with me?”
• “I can’t talk to anyone about this because I’m so ashamed.”

Negative thoughts like these come automatically with depression. You’re not thinking them on purpose, and they’re not accurate. They’re a product of depression and one of the most difficult aspects of depression to deal with because they’re so persistent and loud. Nonetheless, you can manage having depression for no reason. Doing so has quite a bit to do with your perspective. A good starting point is treating depression as if the reason doesn’t matter.

Depression for No Reason? Approach Depression as If the Reason Doesn’t Matter

You can do this because many times, the reason really doesn’t matter. There are exceptions, of course, but that has more to do with cause than reason (there’s a big difference between a cause and a reason). Causes of depression include, but aren’t limited to, things like genetics, biology, and trauma. (Another cause is medical. Some medical conditions cause depression or depression-like symptoms, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying illness that you might not be aware of.)

A cause can be directly addressed. A reason, on the other hand, is much more subjective and relates to someone’s own thoughts, like the ones above. When you berate yourself for having no reason for your depression, you keep yourself stuck in depression and feeling terrible. Instead of focusing on “reason,” you can unstick yourself by changing what you pay attention to and choosing purposeful actions to release yourself from depression.

ACT to Manage Your Depression for No Reason

When you feel guilty for having depression, it’s hard to manage it. Therapy is very helpful, but when someone doesn’t believe they should be depressed, they often resist seeking professional help. A common thought is that they don’t deserve help and certainly don’t want to take up an appointment slot that someone else truly needs. It’s hard to shake deeply ingrained beliefs like this.

An effective, research-based way to do so is with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The six basic principles of ACT can help you believe in yourself and manage your depression. You can apply the principles right away, on your own, and you can work with a therapist to deepen their effects.

• Accept. Acknowledge your feelings and just allow them to be there for now without berating yourself for having “no reason” for them. Accept that you don’t need a reason to have depression.
• Defuse. Loosen the grip depression has on you by ungluing yourself from it. Remind yourself that you are not your depression and that it’s okay to have a good life and still have depression.
• Mindfulness. Keep your senses and your thoughts centered on what is happening in your present moment. When you catch yourself ruminating about how terrible you are for feeling this bad, gently redirect your attention to something in the present.
• Self-knowledge. Observe yourself and reflect on your thoughts. Get to know your strengths and other positive qualities. Understand what triggers depression so you can change things.
• Values. What is important to you? What’s going on in your life that aligns with your values? Let yourself embrace that even while you still are depressed.
• Committed action. Building on the other steps, you can begin to take action that is in alignment with your values. Action overpowers negative thoughts.

These steps allow you to move forward right now, even when you still have depression for no reason. You free yourself and become unstuck, and eventually, you will find that you have overcome depression for a very good reason: your actions and strengths.

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Depression pictures remind us that we are not alone in what we’re going through. These depression images of famous people are a testament to the fact that anyone can experience major depression.

“Depression never discriminates,” says Dwayne Johnson. Yes, “The Rock” experiences depression. Depression is a human condition, and it’s an equal opportunity illness. While some people have more risk factors than others (genetics, trauma, a lack of protective factors all increase someone’s risk), no one is immune to major depressive disorder. For The Rock, finally opening up (which is difficult, he admits, especially as a man) has been helpful. He isn’t the only famous person to live with depression. Perhaps seeing these depression pictures of famous people will help you find solidarity not just with them but with yourself, too.

You’ll find a wide range of people here, people who are on TV, the stage, the playing field, or behind the typewriter. They seem happy, vibrant, active—not living with the symptoms of depression in the least. That’s the thing about depression: what we see on the outside isn’t always what’s happening on the inside. Another thing about depression is that it tends to come and go in episodes. Even long, dark, bouts of depression turn (with hard work and perseverance) into lighter, brighter moods; these can sometimes turn again into tough times. Whether famous or not, people with major depression are living proof that life can be lived well despite times of deep despair and struggle. Depression pictures of famous people tell the tale.

Pictures of Famous People with Depression

Angelina Jolie-Pitt
As a deeply depressed teenager, Angelina Jolie hired a hitman to kill her. Thankfully, it didn’t happen, and she is here to live a rich and full life as a mother, actress/director/writer, and Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations.

Buzz Aldrin
In walking on the moon and being even higher than on top of the world, Buzz Aldrin experienced the depths of despair. His mother and grandfather having died by suicide, Aldrin faced his own mental illness and eventually chaired the National Mental Health Association.

Eminem
A life peppered with hardship, suffering, and loss contributed to Eminem’s depression. The successful and talented rapper-songwriter went through a time so forlorn that getting out of bed and even having the energy and drive to work made it impossible to create and perform. Through perseverance and a passion for his music, Eminem has returned to the scene despite periods of both recovery and relapse (he even has albums entitled “Recovery” and “Relapse).

J.K. Rowling
Even the creator of Harry Potter isn’t magically immune from depression. Deeply depressed in her early adult years, she became suicidal. After an initial attempt to receive help from a doctor was dismissed, her regular doctor reached out to her and helped her connect with a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. She overcame depression and rebuilt her life.

Katie Perry
This singer has experienced bouts of depression in her life, and in 2017 and 2018 lived her darkest time yet. With the unwavering support of her ex-fiancé, Orlando Bloom, she has climbed out again and wants people to speak freely about our governing organ, the brain. She also hopes that others see that depression can’t stop anyone from dreaming big and achieving their goals.

Michael Phelps
This highly successful competitive (including Olympic) swimmer spent a long time plagued by depression and the stress to succeed. Substance use to self-medicate didn’t help, and he finally became ready to seek professional treatment. It helped, and Phelps is mentally healthy and active in his life. He even started The Michel Phelps foundation and works with the Boys and Girls Club of America to help people with stress management and mental health. As he told CNN in 2018, “I am extremely thankful I did not take my life.”

Terry Bradshaw
Now comfortable with himself, former NFL quarterback and current commentator, writer, musician and actor, speaks about his depression as just another trait. Content that he is taking psychiatric medication and positively dealing with depression, he hopes others, especially men afraid of the consequences of admitting depression, will be able to follow suit.

Wayne Brady
Not even comedians are exempt from depression. Wayne Brady is great at making others laugh as well as outstanding in his roles as actor and game show host, but he hasn’t always felt like laughing and embracing his life. Suffering depression for years and experiencing the end of his marriage largely due to depression, he hit his lowest point on his 42nd birthday. The day was dark while also offering a glimpse of the light that he would bring back. It was then that he decided that he needed to take action to recover from the illness and thrive again.

Ellen DeGeneres
The star of a sit-com in the 90s (Ellen), this comedian and host of her own television talk show sank into a deep depression after revealing in 1997 that she is gay and being bullied, shamed, and ostracized for it. This harsh, negative response to who she is as a person nearly ended her career and destroyed her, but Ellen fought her way out of depression and back into Hollywood.

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Depression and loneliness is a combination that can have serious consequences for someone with major depression. When someone is depressed, they don’t feel like interacting with others and they begin to isolate themselves from family and friends. Depression and loneliness can easily feed into one another, creating a bleak circumstance for the affected person. Whether the depression stems from loneliness, or the loneliness occurs as a result of the depression, the combination of the two can cause a great deal of pain and suffering.

Dealing with Depression and Loneliness

Dealing with depression and loneliness can be a challenge. Each condition on its own can cause a person to have negative thoughts and feelings about his or her own self-worth, self-esteem and self-value. When a person is depressed and feeling low, they develop a poor outlook on themselves, the world and the future. As a result, the person will withdraw from friends and family, isolating from the very people who could be supportive and helpful in dealing with their depression and the ensuing negative thoughts.

On the other hand, when a person feels lonely, it can cause them to feel depressed. Loneliness is a difficult emotion to feel. People by nature are social creatures. We crave companionship, love and affection to thrive. When we do not have the ability to build and maintain deep and meaningful relationships or are confronted with a situation in which we are separated from our friends and family, it can have a strong negative impact on our ability to cope with day-to-day life stressors. When that happens, it is not uncommon for depression to start creeping in.

Regardless of which came first, the loneliness or the depression, dealing with both poses a challenge. They threaten a person’s overall quality of life. Here are other symptoms and behaviors that may accompany depression and loneliness:

• Anxiety
• Isolation
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Crying spells
• Anger outbursts
• Behavioral issues
• Negative thoughts
• Extreme sadness
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Fatigue

Each of these symptoms and behaviors add fuel to the depression fire. For instance, with depression and loneliness, there’s no one around to counter negative thoughts or encourage you to get the professional help you need. As the depression becomes more severe, it can be hard to know how to best overcome depression and loneliness and the downward spiral may continue.

How to Beat Depression and Loneliness

When dealing with depression and loneliness, feelings of hopelessness and despair increase. It can feel like things will never get better. However, that is not the truth. There are methods that can be utilized to overcome depression and loneliness in any circumstance or situation.

By following the steps below, a person can overcome and beat depression and loneliness:

1. Establish a support system. Consider the friends and family you feel you can trust, even if it is just to have a simple conversation. Any interaction with people will help improve loneliness, which will help ease the feelings of depression.
2. Reach out to professionals. Consult with your primary doctor or mental health professionals about seeking counseling to talk about the feelings of depression and loneliness.
3. Get yourself out there. Whether you are taking a walk, working at the coffee shop or picking up a new hobby, getting yourself out and into the world and interacting with others can help relieve your depression.

It’s important to understand that depression and loneliness often operate together to worsen a person’s mental health. Unless steps are taken to intervene and break the cycle, the depression could very easily intensify over time.

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More and more dads are becoming concerned about the level of stress they are facing. These tips help fathers better deal with stress.

Balancing work and family life can leave many men feeling as if they're drowning in a sea of work, bills and the responsibilities of being a father. According to a recent poll from the American Psychological Association, men said work, family, and money, as well as worries about the economy, are significant causes of their stress.

As Father's Day nears, it's a good time to recognize the challenges that dads face and so they can figure out how they can deal with the resulting stress.

APA's 2007 Stress in America Survey found that 50 percent of men were concerned about their stress level. Men, more often than women, said stress negatively affected various aspects of their lives such as job satisfaction (50 percent of men vs. 40 percent of women) and their overall satisfaction with life (45 percent of men vs. 38 percent of women).

"Men, in particular, respond to stress by feeling irritable, angry and having trouble sleeping," said psychologist Ron Palomares, Ph.D. "This stress is, unfortunately, often dealt with in harmful ways, such as unhealthy eating and increased drinking and smoking."

As role models for their children, it is important that parents strive to set a good example. "Children mold their behavior after that of their parents," Palomares said. "So developing healthy responses to stress will not only be good for you but, ultimately, good for your children."

APA offers these tips to fathers under stress:

• Identify your causes of stress — How do you know when you are stressed? What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else?
• Recognize how you deal with stress — Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors to cope with work or life stress. Are you a restless sleeper or do you become easily upset and annoyed over trivial things? Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations?
• Find healthy ways to manage stress — Unhealthy reactions to stress may seem like the easy way out, but the long-term effects of poor stress management causes more problems. Instead, consider healthy, stress-reducing activities like exercising or playing sports. Focus on the quality of time spent, not the quantity. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors often develop slowly over time and can be difficult to change. Put everything in perspective, think before you act or speak and make time for what's really important.
• Ask for support — Accepting a hand from supportive friends and family can help you persevere during stressful times. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist who can help you manage stress and change entrenched, unproductive behaviors.

"No one can be the perfect father. It is essential to maintain a balance between the 'Super Dad' fantasy and the realistic and attainable aspects of fatherhood," Palomares said. "Stress management is not a race to the finish line—don't take on more than you can handle. Instead, set goals and focus on changing one behavior at a time."

Depression is widely known as a chemical imbalance. This designation, though, might not be fully correct. To be sure, depression is biological (at least partly). Neurochemical levels and activities are at work in major depressive disorder (MDD). This explains why depression is so often called a chemical imbalance. It’s not wrong, but researchers are discovering that it also isn’t right.

Major depressive disorder is a multifaceted illness. Just like depression is more than sadness, so, too, its cause or foundation is more than a chemical imbalance. There is no scientific evidence yet that shows that chemical imbalances cause depression. Changes in neurochemistry are a contributing factor and but one component of a complex equation. Other depression causes and risk factors include such things as:

• Genetics
• Personality traits like self-doubt, anxiousness, and a tendency to have negative thoughts and feelings
• Stress, especially chronic
• Amount of social support you have
• Past or recent trauma
• How you react to stressors
• The chemical activity in the brain

Too many factors are at work in depression to state with certainty that MDD is a chemical imbalance. However, the role that brain chemistry plays in depression is significant.

Depression is Partially a Chemical Imbalance

Depression is biological and largely brain-based. Someone with depression often has an imbalance of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Neurotransmitters like these are chemical messengers in the brain that facilitate conversations between neurons, the cells that receive and pass along information within the central nervous system (CNS). When there are too many or not enough neurotransmitters, the CNS can’t operate smoothly and efficiently. Sometimes depression develops as a result.

Other neurochemicals that can be involved in major depression are stress hormones. Your body releases adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol in reaction to stressful life situations. The more extreme your stress and the longer it lasts, the longer these chemicals remain in your system. The extended presence of stress hormones contributes to depression.

It isn’t only neurochemicals that contribute to or perpetuate depression. Other parts of the brain take part in creating and maintaining depression. When chemistry is imbalanced, the neural circuitry is disrupted, further reducing intercell communication. Brain structure is also altered by major depression. Some structures become smaller or underactive. Others become more active. Some parts of the brain that contribute to and/or are affected by MDD include:

• Amygdala
• Anterior cingulate cortex
• Hippocampus
• Hypothalamus
• Prefrontal cortex (some parts of it)

Because brain chemistry, structures, and functioning are a big part of depression, medications can work to restore balance. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft and Prozac are just two of a wide variety of medications that work to restore balance in the brain. Results are mixed, however:

• SSRIs and other medications work well for about one-third of the people who take them.
• They work somewhat for another third of people taking them.
• For the other third of people, medication doesn’t work at all.

These figures highlight the fact that a chemical imbalance is often involved in depression (if it weren’t, medication wouldn’t work for anyone). That it only works partially or not at all for some indicates that depression is more than just a chemical imbalance.

Should Depression Be Called a Chemical Imbalance?

Because depression is bigger than an illness caused by unbalanced neurotransmitters and stress hormones, it would make sense for people to stop calling it a chemical imbalance. Not only is doing so inaccurate, but it can be damaging.

One study discovered that when people think their depression is a chemical imbalance, they become more hopeless (Rathje, 2018). They feel less control over their illness, thinking that nothing they can do will be able to fix the imbalance. Further, it can make people think there’s something wrong with them because they have an “unbalanced brain.” And when society as a whole believes that depression is solely about chemical imbalance and something wrong with someone’s brain, stigma ensues.

On the other hand, sometimes thinking of depression as a chemical imbalance reduces stigma and increases self-efficacy (the belief that you can do something, like overcoming depression). A chemical imbalance puts depression on the same playing field as other illnesses of the body, like the heart, kidneys, or liver.

Your depression is unique to you with its own distinct causes and nature. You can call it what feels right to you so you can concentrate on the correct type of depression treatment and management for yourself.

Major depression is a disorder that, in part, is a chemical imbalance. Yet neurochemistry isn’t the heart of depression. The most effective way to help deal with depression is to visit your doctor to see if medication can help your neurochemical levels and address other personal and lifestyle factors that also make up depression. No matter the reason for your depression, you can take measures to get it out of your life.

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Depression in the elderly, also known as geriatric depression, isn’t a normal part of aging. Major depression is an illness no matter what age it strikes, and it can have dire consequences on quality of life. While it’s not inevitable that someone will develop depression in their later years, they can and do. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2017) reports that up to five percent of independent older adults experience major depression, while 11.5 percent of those hospitalized and 13.5 percent of those requiring home care live with depression. Depression in the elderly can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to know.

Reasons Why Depression in the Elderly Can Be So Dangerous

To be sure, aging isn’t a negative process. It is a normal part of human growth and development that can be very positive. The senior years, though, do bring unique changes and challenges that can contribute to major depression.

Declining health can be a complicated contributor to depression. Health problems and aches and pains can limit activities and lead to isolation, both possible causes of major depressive disorder. Depression sometimes co-occurs with a serious illness like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Also, depression can be a side-effect of medications taken for these and other illnesses, which is worsened by the fact that medication side effects increase with age (Bihari, 2019).

Major depression is closely connected with illness as well as age-related changes like vision and hearing loss. Declining health and sensory functioning can cause someone to withdraw from people and activities once enjoyed. Isolation and loneliness increase the risks and effects of depression as well as make it difficult for someone to reach out for help.

The changes that come with aging, while not always negative, can feel like a loss. Loss comes in many forms:

• The death of friends and family members
• Retirement, especially when it removes someone’s sense of purpose
• Moving out of a lifelong home
• Loss of mobility
• Loss of independence

The more of these factors someone faces, the greater their depression risk. For multiple reasons, depressions in older adults can be dangerous.

Dangers of Depression in the Elderly

Depression in older adults can

• Make existing illnesses more severe
• Be masked by other illnesses, preventing proper treatment and worsening symptoms
• Cause disability and loss of freedom
• Lead to premature death
• Cause suicidal behavior and death by suicide

Depression and suicide are of great concern, as people over age 65 account for over 25 percent of all suicide deaths in the United States according to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (n.d.) This group further informs us that the population with the greatest suicide risk is comprised of white men over the age of 80. The National Institute of Mental Health reinforces the risk of depression and suicide in the elderly: According to the NIMH, the highest suicide rate in the US is found in people over the age of 85, just slightly lower than the rate among adults 45 to 65 years.

Unfortunately, geriatric depression is often overlooked or its importance minimized. Some people brush it off as just a typical part of aging. Increased isolation and loneliness increase someone’s chances of depression as well as make it harder to reach out for support. The older generation, too, is less willing to talk about their feelings or ask for help than their younger counterparts, making it hard for their loved ones to recognize depression.

Recognizing depression is further complicated because depression can appear differently in the elderly than in other age groups. Knowing the signs of depression late in life is crucial.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Older Adults

Often, sadness isn’t the most obvious sign of depression in the elderly. Signs of depression that can appear first or be more prominent include aches and pains, tiredness, and irritability. These can be mistaken for typical aging.

Other indicators of depression include:

• Despair
• Helplessness
• Hopelessness
• Lack of motivation
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Weight loss
• Worries of being a burden
• A sense of worthlessness
• Slowed movement and speech
• Memory problems
• Neglecting self-care

Knowing these signs can make depression easier to spot and can lead to successful treatment.

Treating Depression in the Elderly

Just like major depression at any age, depression in older adults is treatable with medication, therapy, and lifestyle interventions. Helping an elderly loved one regain connection and a sense of importance goes a long way toward easing depression. Help them find purpose and feel independent by doing things like:

• Fostering meaningful contact with others
• Volunteering
• Caring for a pet
• Taking a class
• Learning a new skill
• Joining a club
• Traveling with support and companionship

Depression, an illness rather than a normal part of aging, can be dangerous in the elderly. However, with help and support, older adults can beat depression and live well in the life ahead of them.

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Mother recalls impact of AIDS-related dementia

Maine artist Elizabeth Ross Denniston says she has tried to put many of the worst memories of her son's death behind her. Bruce Denniston died of AIDS in 1992 at the age of 28, and his mother was his primary caregiver after he got too sick to take care of himself.

She can't forget the seizures, though, or the gaunt appearance her son had toward the end. And she can't forget the dementia, which began with subtle personality changes in the last year of her son's life, but quickly progressed.

"We were trying to cope with a lot of other problems, so we may not have noticed it at first," she says. "He was an extremely intelligent guy and a computer expert, but he lost interest in all that. Toward the end of his life he began to hallucinate. He developed a terrific fear of birds and other animals, even though he had always loved them. I had gotten him a cat, thinking he would really love a pet, but he was scared to death of it."

HIV-related dementia, a progressive loss of intellectual functions, once common in the last stages of AIDS, is seen far less often these days thanks to the introduction of effective therapies like highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a drug combination used to control the disease. But patients who cannot or will not take the new AIDS drugs or fail them are still at risk for dementia.

"Contrary to popular belief, not all AIDS patients are controlled and treatable," reports neurologist David Clifford, MD. "In real practices, as many as half of patients have ongoing [high levels of the virus] or other problems with the new drugs, and these patients are still at risk for dementia."

Now a study conducted prior to the widespread introduction of HAART suggests HIV-infected patients who show subtle signs of mental impairment may actually have a very early manifestation of AIDS-related dementia. Even relatively minor memory, movement, or speaking problems early in the course of the disease can be a sign of later dementia.

Specifically, the study found that patients with a condition known as minor cognitive motor disorder (MCMD), characterized by slight thinking, mood, or neurological problems not serious enough to impact day to day functioning, were found to be at significantly increased risk for dementia.

"Our findings suggest that MCMD is not a separate syndrome at all, but is instead a forerunner to later dementia," says study author Yaakov Stern, PhD, of New York's Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "Although we can't draw firm conclusions from this one study, we can say that AIDS patients with early thinking deficits or MCMD are certainly more likely to develop dementia."

Clifford, who is a professor of neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, and is principal investigator for the Neurologic AIDS Research Consortium, says about 7% of AIDS patients now develop dementia. Just a few years ago, before the new therapies were widely available, the incidence was far higher -- as high as 60% according to 1998 figures from the CDC.

"One other reason that dementia is still a significant issue is that it is really too early in the HAART era to know whether it is going to be a problem down the line," Clifford says. "It is possible that the brain is the last bastion of this virus, and that ... dementia ... may be a problem."

San Francisco General Hospital chief of neurology Richard W. Price, MD, says he has seen no evidence that patients who do well on the new AIDS therapies are progressing to dementia. He says the AIDS-related dementia cases he generally sees occur in patients with advanced disease who have not been treated or built up a resistance to therapy because of irregular use.

"There is no question that the incidence of AIDS dementia in the current era of treatment is markedly reduced," Price says. "I usually see dementia these days in people who are outside of the treatment system, either because they have elected not to be treated or they have fallen through the cracks. It is a very different group of patients than we saw a few years ago."

While not an official term or diagnosis, the term “depression attack” is an apt way to describe an episode of depression, usually a depression relapse or recurrence. It can be triggered by an upsetting event or appear to strike out of nowhere. Often, depression sneaks up on people insidiously, with depression symptoms slowly appearing and gradually worsening. In those cases, you might not realize right away that you’re experiencing depression. You might think that you’re just “off” or down or stressed or tired and that the feelings will pass—until they don’t. When people talk about a depression attack, they’re referring to depression symptoms that barge in and bring healthy functioning to a screeching halt.

Let’s look at what a depression attack is like. Then, you’ll learn how you can fight back.

What’s a Depression Attack Like?

A depression attack is different in nature from a panic attack or a heart attack. Heart- and panic attacks are short-lived (the consequences and effects do last, but the actual attack happens in a distinct amount of time). The symptoms of a depression attack can be just as gripping and intense, but their duration is more prolonged. In fact, to be considered an episode of major depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks.

In addition to lasting at least two weeks, to be considered a depressive episode, at least five of these depression symptoms must be present nearly every day (American Psychiatric Association, 2013):

• Low mood
• Hopelessness
• Unintended weight loss or weight gain
• Sleeping too much (hypersomnia) or difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Fatigue
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• Restlessness or lethargy
• Thoughts of death

That list of symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is accurate but doesn’t capture the essence of an attack of depression. Such episodes are forceful and can feel crushing. In a 2004 Psychiatric Times article, pediatrician Elizabeth Griffin describes her own depression attacks and echoes the experiences of countless others. Depression attacks, Griffin explains, can:

• Shut you down completely so that you miss work, separate from family and friends, and even withdraw from yourself, neglecting self-care and the activities of your life
• Cause frequent crying spells
• Create or intensify strong self-hatred
• Throw you into deep despair
• Overwhelm you with your own crushing thoughts
• Make you want to die

(Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or call 1-800-273-8255. They exist to help.)

“Attack” is a good word for these experiences because it feels like you are under siege, held captive by depression. Even though it might feel impossible, you can fight back against depression any time it attacks.

How to Fight Back When Depression Attacks

When something assaults us, our fight, flight, or freeze response automatically kicks in. Fighting involves changes throughout the brain and body, with stress hormones flooding our system so we can tense up and strike back. Our flight response creates the urge to run and hide from the problem, withdrawing from our lives in an attempt to escape. And when we freeze, we stop in our tracks, figuratively paralyzed and unable to take action at all. These are our natural survival instincts, and following them doesn’t make you weak or bad. Yet neither fighting, fleeing, nor freezing works to stop a depression attack.

The following actions are effective ways to move yourself out of the way of depression’s advances and keep moving in the direction you want to go.

• Use deep breathing exercises to remain calm and counter physical symptoms of depression like aches and pains.
• Understand your depression and its attacks, and accept that they’re there. This will allow you to stop ruminating about your symptoms while you develop your character strengths, roles (parent, coworker, group member, etc.), and interests.
• Practice self-care even if you don’t want to. Nutrition, hygiene, and exercise all combat depression attacks.
• If your doctor has prescribed medication, take it as directed to keep a steady supply in your system.
• Enlist the help of a mental health professional. Therapy can help thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Reach out to others for support. Talk to a family member or a friend, and consider joining a depression support group.

You can also counter a depression attack by being positive and shifting your perspective away from what’s wrong and onto the good in your life. While depression tries to hide the good from you, you can seek and find it. Practice mindfulness to be fully present in your moment rather than trapped in negative thoughts. Express gratitude, writing it down in a journal, saying it out loud to someone, or both. This also shrinks depression by growing your awareness of the good in your life.

A depression attack can be miserable. Fighting back isn’t easy. That said, moving yourself out of a depressive episode is absolutely possible.

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If you live with depression, you might wonder if depression is a disability. Depression can indeed be a disability—sometimes. Let’s look at when and how depression is considered a disability.  

Two depressive disorders are eligible for disability consideration: major depressive disorder (MDD) and persistent depressive disorder (PDD or dysthymia). The illnesses are similar, but in major depressive disorder, the symptoms are typically more severe whereas in dysthymia, the symptoms are longer lasting. Both can interfere in someone’s ability to function in important areas of their lives. When this happens, depression can be a disability.

When is Depression a Disability?

A diagnosis of depression doesn’t automatically mean someone has a disability. Your depression might be considered a disability when your symptoms are severe and significantly limit what you can do. All depression interferes with

• Daily functioning (completing tasks big and small)
• The ability to work
• Participation in family care and life
• Self-care
• Ability to cope with ordinary stress
• Capacity to handle obligations
• Motivation

When depression is extreme, it can become impossible to keep a job. A severe drop in energy plus extraordinary fatigue and trouble concentrating can make completing eight-hour workdays, five days a week, impossible. Reducing hours and days worked doesn’t help severe depression. Says WebMD (2015), “Untreated depression is responsible for more than 200 million days lost from work each year.”

To officially be designated a disability:

• A doctor must diagnose MDD or PDD
• The person must be receiving (or have received) treatment for depression

If these conditions are met, then SSA may consider awarding disability benefits.

How Does Depression Qualify as a Disability?

When determining if depression is a disability, the Social Services Administration (SSA) asks for evidence to support the disability claim. Every applicant must provide three types of documentation:

• Medical documentation of a diagnosis of MDD or PDD
• Documentation of the life limitations faced and marginal adjustment (difficulty adjusting to change)
• Indications of ongoing treatment with therapists and marginal adjustment

Evidence in any of these categories may include:

• Confirmation that depression has been severe enough to cause financial hardship
• Indications that you’ve tried unsuccessfully to work
• Proof of functional struggles such as simple decision-making, following instructions, concentrating and remembering information
• Demonstrations of difficulties relating to people, including supervisors and coworkers
• Documentation that you’ve been living in a highly structured setting and/or have had extensive medical treatment or therapy yet are still unable to function well

Sometimes, people don’t need social security benefits for depression, yet depression still disrupts their lives. In that case, it might be possible to receive accommodations from work or school.

Accommodations and Protections for Depression

Both the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect the rights of people with depression who can work or attend school.

When depression affects a student’s (in the K-12 system or in college) ability to learn and function in school, they can seek a 504 plan that specifies accommodations that must be made to the learning environment so depression doesn’t negatively affect the student’s education. If a student’s thinking and activity level are slowed by depression, for example, they might receive extra time on tests. If concentration is difficult, students might listen to recorded readings rather than print. These are just two of the numerous accommodations that help students with depression learn and remain on track.

The ADA extends protections to people with depression in the workforce. As with other disabilities, it’s illegal for an employer to discriminate against people with depression. Further, if you have depression, you are legally allowed to take time off, without penalty, for treatment. While you don’t have to disclose your depression to your employer, you must do so in order to receive legal protection of your rights.

Depression VA Rating and Disability Benefits for Veterans

If you’re a veteran with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder, you might be eligible to receive disability benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

You’ll be asked to demonstrate that your symptoms began during active duty or developed because of another health condition resulting from your service. Additionally, you must show that your depression is causing employment problems and other difficulties.

When considering your application for disability and the evidence you’ve provided, the VA uses a rating formula to determine how disabling your depression is regarding work and social functioning. The VA ultimately assigns one of six ratings to indicate your level of depression disability:

• 100 percent disability
• 70 percent disability
• 50 percent disability
• 30 percent disability
• 10 percent disability
• 0 percent disability

VA benefits, then, aren’t an all-or-nothing affair. The financial benefits received per month will vary according to severity. It’s possible to be able to have some form of employment and still receive VA depression disability benefits.

Military or civilian, while depression can indeed be considered a disability, it can be difficult to prove that your own depression is severe enough to warrant government benefits. Knowing what documentation you need and working with a lawyer who specializes in disability can help you receive the income you need when depression interferes with employment.

See Also

How Do I Use the FMLA as an Employee with Depression?

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Depression in college students can cause unique problems. Depression negatively impacts anyone who lives with it, of course, by limiting and reducing quality of life, but this illness affects college students distinctively. If you’re in college, you are experiencing life changes and challenges that, while often exciting and positive, can be highly stressful. Problems with depression in college students are real but can be helped.

College is a time for self-discovery and learning. It is an active preparation for a chosen career and life path. As such, it’s rigorous. College success depends on an ability to set goals, create and follow an action plan to achieve them, a high level of interest and motivation to pursue those passions, and the energy to do it. College also involves balance between academic rigor and fun. It’s about meeting people, and yourself in the process. When someone experiences depression during this time of life, it can be problematic and possibly detrimental to goals, hopes, and dreams.

Risks and Problems with Depression in College Students

Depression involves (but is not limited to) symptoms such as:

• Feeling sad, empty, and/or hopeless
• Loss of interest in activities and goals once enjoyed and embraced
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Fatigue, loss of energy
• Indecisiveness
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and focusing

Depression can severely disrupt lives. In college students, depression makes the experience of college a struggle seemingly impossible to overcome. Problems thinking and concentrating make it difficult to learn and interfere in the ability to complete the large amount of work required outside of class. Even knowing where to start can be hard, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed and fall behind. Catching up becomes a Sisyphean challenge that threatens to crush someone with depression. This can lead to failure, either of a class or of college itself. Then, when one feels their dreams slipping out of reach, depression can intensify.

Depression increases someone’s risk of substance use and other risky behaviors. On some college campuses, opportunities for drinking, binge drinking, drug use, and risky sexual behavior are readily available. Easy access coupled with an illness that puts one at risk for these harmful behaviors can cause troubles.

Another problem with depression in college students is the risk of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people age 18-25, and over eight percent of young adults in this age group report serious suicidal ideation (Kerr, 2017). While these numbers reflect the age group as a whole rather than exclusively those attending college, college-age students are in a group that has a high suicide risk. Therefore, depression in college students must be taken seriously. (An important note: If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call or chat online with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away (1-800-273-8255).)

What is it that makes depression in college students such a problem? As it turns out, plenty.

Why College Students Can Be Prone to Depression

Numerous factors unique to this developmental stage make depression a problem for college students. Among them:

• Being away from home for the first time means the support system they’ve had for their entire life is not readily available
• Adjusting to independence, self-regulation, and new responsibility can be a “sink or swim” situation with a sinking feeling linked to depression
• College is rigorous and requires students to figure out, often on their own, how to study and perform at this level
• Navigating student life and forming new friendships can be daunting
• Dealing with roommates is tough for many students
• It can be awkward and difficult to know how to relate to old friends left behind
• Sleep deprivation is rampant on campuses, which contributes to or exacerbates depression
• College students frequently have poor eating habits, a factor in depression
• Chronic stress is common in college students and contributes to depression

College involves an entirely new lifestyle with its own unique culture and novel experiences. Some of these changes are thrilling and positive, while others are overwhelming and negative. Positive or negative, all involve adjustment. Any type of adjustment can contribute to anxiety and depression, making the college years a time of depression risk.

Helping Yourself Through Depression in College

Another problem with depression in college is that the new people in your life don’t know you well enough yet to know if you aren’t yourself. Signs and symptoms of depression can be missed. Developing a support network is crucial.

Most colleges have campus health centers that include mental health services like counseling and support groups. Further organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) often have centers on campuses that provide support and help.

Staying in touch with your traditional supports is helpful, too. Be open with parents and/or former teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, and other people who have been in your life can help support you so you can beat depression and thrive in college.

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