Depression: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment Options, From Therapy to TMS

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and handles daily activities. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines depression as a condition involving persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest that can significantly impair daily functioning. Multiple factors, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological influences, may contribute to its development. The World Health Organization estimates that about 5% of adults globally (around 400 million people) live with depression, underscoring its public health impact.

Depression Symptoms

Depression can affect people physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Clinicians typically diagnose a major depressive episode when at least five symptoms persist for two weeks or more, causing significant distress or impairment; one of these symptoms must be a depressed mood or loss of interest. Symptoms of depression can include:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Significant changes in appetite or weight
• Disturbances in sleep (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of excessive guilt or worthlessness
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Psychomotor agitation or slowing
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation

Types of Depression

Depression surfaces in many forms. Clinicians recognize several depressive disorders and related conditions that feature depressive episodes, each with distinct traits and treatment considerations.

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Characterized by episodes of depressed mood or loss of interest lasting at least two weeks, with additional symptoms that impair daily functioning.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD/Dysthymia): A chronic form of depression with symptoms present most days for at least two years in adults.
• Bipolar Disorder: A mood disorder that includes depressive episodes alternating with periods of elevated or irritable mood (mania/hypomania). Treatments and safety planning will differ with this condition, so professional evaluation is essential.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Involves recurrent episodes that follow a seasonal rhythm, most commonly in fall or winter.
• Perinatal/Postpartum Depression (PPD): Depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth; symptoms may begin in the weeks before or after delivery.

Treatment Options

Depression is treatable, and many people recover with the right combination of approaches. A health-care provider can help determine the best treatment plan based on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and individual preferences.

• Therapy: Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are evidence-based first-line treatments that offer healing through a guided conversation with a licensed clinician.
• Medication: Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can help by balancing brain chemicals involved in mood regulation.
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: By stimulating specific nerve cells in this brain, this non-invasive, non-drug treatment option can provide relief for people with depression.
• Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, consistent sleep, balanced nutrition, and strong social support networks can support improvements in mood and resilience.

Additional Depression Support Resources

• 988 Lifeline: What to Expect When You Call, Text, or Chat: The 988 Lifeline is always there to help people experiencing a mental health crisis.

• What Is Depression? Understanding the basics of depression is an important first step toward getting someone the help that they need.

• Depressive Disorder: Learn about this common mental health issue from the World Health Organization.

• Depression and Anxiety: Many people with depression also have an anxiety disorder.

• Major Depressive Disorder: Depression can have a variety of causes or no apparent cause at all.

• Depression Test: If you think you might have depression, this tool from Mental Health America may be able to help you decide whether you should seek medical advice.

• Types of Depression: Explore the forms that depression can take with this resource from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

• Understanding Depression: Find out more about what depression is and its symptoms from the Mayo Clinic.

• Depression: This guide from Johns Hopkins Medicine explains the different forms that depression can take.

• How Psychotherapy and Other Treatments Can Help People With Depression: The American Psychological Association outlines some of the options for treating depression on this page.

• What Makes SAINT Different From Other Depression Treatments? In this video, a doctor and professor at the University of Iowa discusses SAINT, a new form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that takes less time to administer and has shown better results.

• Find SAINT Neuromodulation Therapy for Depression: This locator can help you find and contact a nearby provider offering advanced TMS treatment.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This form of depression typically worsens in the winter months and improves in the summer.

• Depression Assessment for Veterans: If you’re a veteran, the VA can help you figure out whether you have depression and get treatment.

• Persistent Depressive Disorder: People with this type of depression can experience less severe but much longer-lasting symptoms.

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Tool Kit: Spreading accurate information and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illnesses is key to helping people get the treatment they need.

• Depression in Children and Teens: Depression can affect people of all ages, including children.

• Facts About Depression: Learn the symptoms of depression and find out about possible treatment approaches from the National Institutes of Health.

• What Is Postpartum Depression? Find out how to know that someone might be experiencing postpartum depression and how to find help.

• FAQs About Postpartum Depression: While many new parents experience the baby blues, postpartum is a different and more serious condition.

• Mental Health Conditions and Suicide: Effective treatment can both improve people’s quality of life and save lives.