Find a TherapistReady to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?
Ready toget started?
Add your email to continue
Get started
By submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryIdentifying and Treating Severe Depression
Table of Contents:OverviewSymptoms of Severe DepressionSigns of PsychosisGetting Help for Suicidal Thoughts and BehaviorsRisk Factors of Severe DepressionTreating Severe Depression
DepressionRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: December 19, 2020
Reviewed On: December 19, 2020
Updated On: October 31, 2023
OverviewWhile depression is a common condition, it varies in terms of severity. In some milder cases of depression, a person may struggle with less severe symptoms of sadness, irritability, anger, and exhaustion — all of which can negatively impact a person’s daily life and relationships. But in severe cases of depression, a person can experience overpowering symptoms that feel paralyzing, including frequent thoughts of death or suicide. These cases may result in a person self-isolating and struggling to even leave the house each day. Fortunately, severe depression is treatable, and help is available.
Overview
While depression is a common condition, it varies in terms of severity. In some milder cases of depression, a person may struggle with less severe symptoms of sadness, irritability, anger, and exhaustion — all of which can negatively impact a person’s daily life and relationships. But in severe cases of depression, a person can experience overpowering symptoms that feel paralyzing, including frequent thoughts of death or suicide. These cases may result in a person self-isolating and struggling to even leave the house each day. Fortunately, severe depression is treatable, and help is available.
Symptoms of Severe Depression
Mild depression is common and can occur at any time and at any age. In fact, about one in 15 adults experience depression in any given year, and one in six people will experience depression at some point in their life, according to theAmerican Psychiatric Association. The signs and symptoms of severe depression, however, both look and feel different than those of more common forms of mild depression.
Symptoms of severe depression include:
If these symptoms last two weeks or more and represent a significant change from a person’s previous level of functioning, it is possible they are experiencing symptoms of severe depression. If these symptoms persist long-term over many years, one may be experiencing a specifictype of depressioncalled persistent depressive disorder (or dysthymia), which is a chronic form of depression.
Signs of Psychosis
While severe depression symptoms and experiences can vary, psychotic symptoms are more easily recognized. Therefore, a medical professional will often determine if a person has experienced a break from reality before ultimately diagnosing severe depression.
Symptoms of psychosis include:
Getting Help for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Suicidal behavior is impulsive, so it’s important to take precautions: remove any weapons, medications, or items that can be used to hurt oneself if you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm. Confide in a trusted person and ask them to keep potentially harmful items safely away and out-of-sight, giving an individual time to move past the suicidal impulse. Avoid using alcohol or illicit drugs, and if you’re using seek treatment for dependence on the substances as soon as possible.
Risk Factors of Severe Depression
The most common causes and risk factors of depression include:
Regardless of the cause of your severe depression, there are treatments available.
Treating Severe Depression
Depression may make you feel hopeless, but even in severe cases, depression is treatable. The key? The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it often is. The most common treatments fordepression include medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Sometimes, treatment doesn’t mean you need to take medication for the rest of your life, as therapy and lifestyle modifications also play a crucial role in managing severe depression. Connect with an in-person oronline psychiatristto find the best treatment options for your needs.
Remember that depression is a very common condition in the U.S., and across the globe, with tell-tale signs and symptoms of severe forms that can help an individual receive an accurate diagnosis from a trained medical professional or alicensed online therapist.
While the causes and risk factors can make some more susceptible than others, no one is immune to experiencing depression. Always remember, however, that help is available and treatment is always an option.
Jessica-Lynne DuBois-MaahsJessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
Jessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
Share
Effective and affordable mental health treatmentGet Started
Effective and affordable mental health treatment
Related Articles About DepressionView all articlesDepressionOctober 23, 2024Depression in Nurses: A Mental Health Crisis in HealthcareDepressionOctober 23, 2024Fatherhood Depression: Breaking the Silence on Depressed DadsDepression, ParentingSeptember 18, 2024What to Do if Your Teenager is Making You Feel DepressedDepressionSeptember 18, 2024Post-Weaning Depression: Recognize the Signs & Find SupportDepressionSeptember 18, 2024How to Think Positive When Depressed: Techniques for a Brighter OutlookDepressionSeptember 18, 2024Have You Fallen Out of Love, or Are You Depressed?DepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Prevent Postpartum DepressionDepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Explain Depression to SomeoneDepressionJuly 24, 2024Are There Stages of Depression?DepressionJune 21, 2024Can Adderall Cause Depression?
Related Articles About DepressionView all articles
Related Articles About Depression
DepressionOctober 23, 2024Depression in Nurses: A Mental Health Crisis in HealthcareDepressionOctober 23, 2024Fatherhood Depression: Breaking the Silence on Depressed DadsDepression, ParentingSeptember 18, 2024What to Do if Your Teenager is Making You Feel DepressedDepressionSeptember 18, 2024Post-Weaning Depression: Recognize the Signs & Find SupportDepressionSeptember 18, 2024How to Think Positive When Depressed: Techniques for a Brighter OutlookDepressionSeptember 18, 2024Have You Fallen Out of Love, or Are You Depressed?DepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Prevent Postpartum DepressionDepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Explain Depression to SomeoneDepressionJuly 24, 2024Are There Stages of Depression?DepressionJune 21, 2024Can Adderall Cause Depression?
DepressionOctober 23, 2024Depression in Nurses: A Mental Health Crisis in Healthcare
DepressionOctober 23, 2024Fatherhood Depression: Breaking the Silence on Depressed Dads
Depression, ParentingSeptember 18, 2024What to Do if Your Teenager is Making You Feel Depressed
DepressionSeptember 18, 2024Post-Weaning Depression: Recognize the Signs & Find Support
DepressionSeptember 18, 2024How to Think Positive When Depressed: Techniques for a Brighter Outlook
DepressionSeptember 18, 2024Have You Fallen Out of Love, or Are You Depressed?
DepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Prevent Postpartum Depression
DepressionJuly 24, 2024How to Explain Depression to Someone
DepressionJuly 24, 2024Are There Stages of Depression?
DepressionJune 21, 2024Can Adderall Cause Depression?
If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Call 988 or useto get immediate help.
Therapy may be free for you
