Miriam Mendez Writing for the Sciences May 3, 2022

Depression: Many Shapes Many Forms

Depression is a medical condition that affects your mood and ability to function. Depression is very common; Matter of fact, “healthcare providers estimate that nearly 7% of American adults have depression every year. More than 16% of U.S. adults–around 1 in 6– will experience depression in their lifetime” (“Depression: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment”). There are many different types of depression such as, major depressive disorder, perinatal and postpartum depression, bipolar depression, and etc. The big three that will be discussed are major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, and depression amongst children and adolescents. Additionally, treatments and ways one can manage depression will also be discussed. If you or anyone you know suffer from depression there are many ways one can get help or contact someone for help.

Major depressive disorder also known as MDD is a clinical depression and has “intense or overwhelming symptoms that last longer than two weeks. These symptoms interfere with everyday life” (“Depression: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment”). One can be diagnosed with MDD through a physical exam, lab tests, psychiatric evaluation and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Symptoms caused by major depression can depend on the person. It is stated in the article mayoclinic.org “To clarify the type of depression you have, your doctor may add one or more specifiers. A specifier means that you have depression with specific features, such as: Anxious distress – depression with unusual

restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control, psychotic features – depression accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes…” (“Depression (major depressive disorder) – Diagnosis and treatment”). There are many more specific features that can determine what kind of depression one might have and can even have one or more specifiers. Another one on the list is one many women can relate to which is peripartum and postpartum depression.

Peripartum is one of many specifiers of depression. Peripartum onset depression “occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks or months after every delivery (postpartum)” (“Depression (major depressive disorder) – Diagnosis and treatment”). In an article titled Preventing and Treating Women’s Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative Systematic Review on Partner-Inclusive Interventions, Stephanie Martins and others create a study “to synthesize the literature on partner inclusive interventions designed to prevent or treat postpartum depression (PPD) in women” (Alves et al. #1). In other words, they created this study to combine partner inclusive interventions that are designed to prevent or treat postpartum depression. During postpartum, “women’s partners often have difficulties in understanding their spouse’s emotional experiences” (Alves et al. #1) which can cause the couple to clash and thus creating unstable communication. On the upside, “they may benefit of being included in treatment plans to learn about the symptoms of PD and how to provide adequate support and assist women in their recovery. This may help partners feeling less helpless to cope with women’s PPD and women may feel more supported” (Alves et al. #1). Treatments like antidepressant medications as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy have been effective. Antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants “do not have adverse effects on breastfeeding infants, including long-term studies that suggest no developmental problems are found”

(“Postpartum Depression”) which can be good for the baby’s sake. It is still important to talk with a primary doctor and see what is the best medication when breastfeeding. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective since it “improves problem-solving skills, teaching relaxation, social skills, and scheduling pleasant activities… research shows that CBT for postpartum depression is significantly effective” (“Postpartum Depression”). Moreover, interpersonal therapy focuses on one’s relationships with their partner and it involves 12 sessions, more sessions than CBT which is 6 to 10, and IPT is effective in reducing PPD symptoms and can help prevent symptoms peripartum. Other methods of helping women with PPD is creating time to bond with your baby as well as creating time for yourself, as well as exercising.

Staying active when depressed can actually be more enjoyable than expected. To increase the amount of activities one can “list activities you used to enjoy, plan one of these activities each day, increase the amount of time available for activities you enjoy, after an activity, think about or write down what you enjoyed about it, talk to others about what activities they like” (“Depression – treatment and management”). Yoga is said to be therapeutic when it comes to treating anxiety and depression. A study that involves thirty-six adults with anxiety and depression is taken and they will be self selected into a therapeutic yoga program. CBT is also a method that will be used to help treat the adults in this study and “researchers have sought to enhance CBT protocols with mindfulness-based approaches, such as yoga” (Capon et al. #1). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 participants immediately after the eight week program then again three months later. After thematic analysis and engagement over time, it was revealed “Yoga was identified as providing a unique combination of elements that complemented processes of CBT, such as behavior activation and thought disputation”. It was also concluded

“therapeutic yoga warrants consideration as an adjunct treatment for anxiety and depression as it offers unique and complementary elements to CBT and can enhance engagement and perceived clinical outcomes” (Capon et al. #1). To put it another way, CBT and yoga are proven to enhance engagement and can effectively treat depression and social anxiety.

Depression can be common towards children and adolescents. According to The Brown University article about Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology update, youth anxiety and depression are common and undertreated. Transdiagnostic therapy is used for “young people with anxiety and depression when done in primary care, compared with referral to community outpatient mental health care, a recent study has found” (Knopf #1). About 30% of youths have anxiety, depression or both by the end of puberty which can then be carried into adulthood (Knopf #2). Finding the best depression treatment is very important. If your depression is keeping you from living your life, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Therapy as well as medication can help minimize symptoms or help treat depression. Getting social support like talking to a trusted family member or friends (Smith et al.) or even seeking help from a counselor can help the feeling of going through your depression alone.
Treatment takes time and commitment. The road to recovery is long but ultimately and can feel overwhelming. It can feel like you’re on a rollercoaster that never stops but eventually, the ride will stop and you will come off it feeling brand new. If you ever feel depressed, call 1-(800)-273‐TALK (8255). Speaking up is better than not speaking at all.

Works Cited
Alves, Stephanie, et al. “Preventing and Treating Women’s Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative

Systematic Review on Partner-Inclusive Interventions.” Journal of Child & Family Studies, vol. 27, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-25.

https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=15& sid=8a3ee7b0-5490-4524-b08c-01cdfb06c4ed%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3Qtb Gl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=127145515&db=a9h.

Capon, Hannah, et al. “Yoga complements cognitive behaviour therapy as an adjunct treatment for anxiety and depression: Qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study.” Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, vol. 94, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1015-1035. https://bpspsychub-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/doi/full/10.11 11/papt.12343.

“Depression (major depressive disorder) – Diagnosis and treatment.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-2035 6013. Accessed 03 February 2018.

“Depression – treatment and management.” Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/depression-treatment- and-management. Accessed 3 May 2022.

“Depression: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 31 December 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Knopf, Alison. “Treat youth anxiety and depression with brief therapy in primary care.” The Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, vol. 23, no. 5, 2021, pp. 1-3, https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=9&si d=8a3ee7b0-5490-4524-b08c-01cdfb06c4ed%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl 2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=149926977&db=a9h.

“Postpartum Depression.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, 30 September 2021, https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/women/postpartum-depression. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Smith, Melinda, et al. “Depression Treatment.” HelpGuide.org, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-treatment.htm. Accessed 25 April 2022.

Annotated Bibliography
Alves, Stephanie, et al. “Preventing and Treating Women’s Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative

Systematic Review on Partner-Inclusive Interventions.” Journal of Child & Family Studies, vol. 27, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-25.https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=15& sid=8a3ee7b0-5490-4524-b08c-01cdfb06c4ed%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3Qtb Gl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=127145515&db=a9h.

The main argument in this article is to prevent and treat women’s postpartum depression. Stephanie Alves and et al. make valid points about the behavior of the partner who can contribute to PPD. As well as, lack of support and emotion towards the women. The study helps bring out evidence that can help the lack of communication between partners.

Capon, Hannah, et al. “Yoga complements cognitive behaviour therapy as an adjunct treatment for anxiety and depression: Qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study.” Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, vol. 94, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1015-1035. https://bpspsychub-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/doi/full/10.11 11/papt.12343.

Yoga and CBT go hand in hand in treating depression. Yoga is found to be therapeutic and merged with CBT can leave depressed adults feel a sense of ease. Other methods are also included.

“Depression: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 31 December 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression. Accessed 3 May 2022.

In this article, it talks about depression and many ways it can be treated. Not only does it talk about specific types of depression but it also lists the causes and symptoms.

“Depression (major depressive disorder) – Diagnosis and treatment.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-2035 6013. Accessed 03 February 2018.

Lastly, this article mainly points out one kind of depression, major depressive disorder. It contains methods of treatment as well as symptoms and causes of major depressive disorder. After explaining all the causes and symptoms, it gives examples on other forms of depression as well as their causes and treatments.