Understanding and Seeking Help for Depression

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental disorders have increased in prevalence (Cullen et al., 2020). The extended social isolation, high unemployment, and rising death toll increased anxiety and depression globally by 25% (Kupcova et al., 2023). A more recent study showed that the virus responsible for COVID-19 also causes inflammation in the brain, which can increase the risk for depression (Shetty et al., 2023). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 280 million people worldwide have depression, accounting for 5% of the world’s adult population (2023). From 2015 to 2020, depression rates have increased by 7% for young adults (Goodwin et al., 2022). Despite the high prevalence rate, depression is often misunderstood and can go unnoticed, leading to severe consequences (Hodgkinson & Prins, 2011). 

To understand how to seek help for depression, it is important to recognize what depression actually is. Depression is a medical illness that disrupts your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours (Torres, 2020). Depression can impair your ability to function in crucial settings such as work and home (Torres, 2020). According to the DSM-V, symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe, and these include having a depressed mood, loss of pleasure, changes in appetite and sleep, loss of energy, feelings of guilt and unimportance, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death and suicide (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In order to be classified as depression, these symptoms need to persist for at least two weeks and hinder daily life functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The symptoms of depression are not the same for everyone and can be modified by social determinants such as socioeconomic status and geographic location. For example, people from the Middle East tend to experience somatic symptoms such as heart problems. (Sayar and Kose, 2012). Men with depression are more likely to experience more anger and isolation, substance abuse, and greater impulsivity (Martin et al., 2013).

It is common to confuse depression with feelings of grief. The death of a loved one, financial losses, and estrangement are forms of grief that are extremely difficult to deal with. Feelings of sadness are normal to develop in response to those situations. Both grief and depression involve intense negative emotions that impair functioning; however, they are distinct in numerous ways. Feelings of grief usually fade away with time, while depression appears in episodes, lasting for at least two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). For depressed individuals, self-esteem is low during depressive episodes, while self-esteem is maintained during grief (Torres, 2020). Grief support is usually centred around healing and learning how to cope with the loss. Some examples of grief support include grief counselling and peer support. Support for depression, however, is centred around changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviour to improve mood. These include psychotherapy and medication. Distinguishing between grief and depression is essential because it dictates the best kind of support needed.

Depression, like most illnesses, can be treated. The most common form of treatment is a psychological treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy—CBT for short (American Psychological Association, 2017). CBT is based on the core principle that people can learn better ways of coping with their problems, thus relieving symptoms (American Psychological Association, 2017). Individuals work with a licensed psychotherapist to change thinking and behavioural patterns (American Psychological Association, 2017). Patients see improvement after eight to twelve sessions, with the lowest relapse rate compared to other treatments (Driessen and Hollon, 2010). Another common form of treatment is the use of antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are antidepressants that work to increase serotonin—a chemical thought to have a positive influence on mood, emotion and sleep. Only licensed medical doctors, known as psychiatrists, can prescribe medications like SSRIs (Torres, 2020). On their own, antidepressants only provide partial treatment for depression and are usually ineffective for mild depression (Barbui et al., 2011). Antidepressants can have undesirable side effects, such as nausea, decreased alertness and sexual problems (Bet et al., 2013). Most doctors recommend medication along with CBT for the best results in treating depression (Torres, 2020).

Effective treatment options for depression are typically inaccessible to the public. Mental healthcare is especially difficult to access due to social stigma and cost (Coombs et al., 2021). According to the CAMH, the cost of mental illness because of lost labour is estimated to be 50 billion a year (Lim et al., 2008). However, there are numerous cost-effective alternatives to treatment. Certain jobs offer insurance to cover costs for mental healthcare and some universities have mental health services of their own that any student can use. For example, students at McMaster University can see mental health professionals through the Student Wellness Centre. When an individual is in immediate danger, the new suicide crisis line, 9-8-8, is also available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to provide crisis support. If mental health resources are difficult to access, talking to a loved one can always be beneficial. Reaching out to a trusted person can help one sort through their problems, release bottled-up emotions and promote help seeking behaviours.[A1] [A2]  An alternative to medication is antioxidant supplements, mainly magnesium. A recent study showed that an increase in antioxidant intake can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression (Wang et al., 2023). Antioxidants are available several plant-based foods and supplements can be found in most drug stores. Unfortunately, the misunderstanding of depression makes it difficult to learn about these alternative treatments. By increasing awareness about depression, people can be better primed to recognize the signs and be more inclined to seek the help they need.

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