Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristics & SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

Characteristics & Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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Unipolar disorder is a serious mental health disorder affecting 8.4% of the U.S. population. The disorder is more prevalent among women than men, and among younger people (aged 18-25) than older people. In 2020, 14.8 million adults had a severe episode of unipolar disorder, and 66% of people with the disorder were treated.

Unipolar vs. Bipolar Depression

Unipolar depression has distinct differences from bipolar disorder, including lack of manic/hypomanic episodes; however, depression is also a symptom of bipolar disorder.It’s important that if you are having signs of depression, you receive a proper diagnosis from a medical professional, who will determine if you are experiencing unipolar depression or bipolar depression.

Sadness vs. Clinical Depression

Characteristics and Symptoms of Unipolar Depression

Some of the main characteristics of unipolar depression include:

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, call 911 immediately or call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Depression Statistics Everyone Should Know

Diagnosis of Unipolar Depression

According to the DSM-5-TR, in order to be diagnosed with unipolar depression (major depressive disorder), you need to have had symptoms of a depressive episode for two weeks or more, and experience five or more of the following symptoms:

7 Facts You Should Know About Depression

Causes of Unipolar Depression

There are several factors that contribute to unipolar depression. Usually it’s not just one factor that causes the condition, but several taken together—a perfect storm of causes, so to speak.

Some of the most common causes of unipolar depression include:

Additionally, certain risks factors may make you more prone to developing unipolar depression, such as:

Common Signs of Depression in Women

Treatment for Unipolar Depression

It is difficult to live with unipolar depression, and you may find the diagnosis upsetting. But the silver lining is that unipolar depression is treatable. If you are experiencing symptoms, especially if you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s imperative that you receive prompt treatment.

Usually treatment works best if you combine common treatments such as therapy and medication. Here’s what to know about the most common ways of treating unipolar depression.

Therapy

Psychotherapy is an effective way to treat unipolar depression. It’s best to find a therapist who has experience treating the condition. Importantly, you want to find a therapist you feel comfortable with—someone who validates your feelings and makes you feel emotionally safe.

Types of therapy used to treat unipolar depression include interpersonal therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Medication

Medication is often the first line of defense for unipolar depression, and is especially important in cases of severe depression or suicidal ideation. Types of medication used to treat unipolar depression include:

The 5 Types of Antidepressants

Coping With Unipolar Depression

In addition to therapy and medication, certain lifestyle changes can help you manage unipolar depression and lessen its symptoms. For example, studies have found that adding exercise into your daily routine can help mitigate and treat your symptoms.

In addition, practicingmindfulness and meditation, decreasing your use of drugs and alcohol, taking time each day to relax, and ensuring that you are getting enough sleep, can all help with unipolar depression.There is also immense value in having a strong social support network, and connecting with others who struggle with similar mental health challenges.

Use Mindfulness Meditation to Ease Anxiety

A Word From Verywell

If you are someone who has unipolar depression, you might feelshameor discomfort with your diagnosis. But unipolar depression is one of the most common mental illnesses out there, and you are not alone.The most important thing is that you get help. Unipolar depression is challenging, but treatment is effective and can allow you to find happiness and thrive.

An Overview of the Treatments for Depression

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Unipolar Disorder.Bains N, Abdijadid S.Major Depressive Disorder. StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Mental Health.Major Depression.Rolin D, Whelan J, Montano C.Is it depression or is it bipolar depression?Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2020;32(10):703-713 doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000499Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.Otte C, Gold S, Penninx B, et al.Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2(16065). doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.65Schuch F, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson C, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107Additional ReadingCuellar A, Johnson S, Winters R.Distinctions between bipolar and unipolar depression. Clinical Psychology Review. 2005;25(3):307-339. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.002Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Unipolar Disorder.Bains N, Abdijadid S.Major Depressive Disorder. StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Mental Health.Major Depression.Rolin D, Whelan J, Montano C.Is it depression or is it bipolar depression?Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2020;32(10):703-713 doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000499Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.Otte C, Gold S, Penninx B, et al.Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2(16065). doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.65Schuch F, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson C, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107Additional ReadingCuellar A, Johnson S, Winters R.Distinctions between bipolar and unipolar depression. Clinical Psychology Review. 2005;25(3):307-339. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.002Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

APA Dictionary of Psychology.Unipolar Disorder.Bains N, Abdijadid S.Major Depressive Disorder. StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Mental Health.Major Depression.Rolin D, Whelan J, Montano C.Is it depression or is it bipolar depression?Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2020;32(10):703-713 doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000499Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.Otte C, Gold S, Penninx B, et al.Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2(16065). doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.65Schuch F, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson C, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107

APA Dictionary of Psychology.Unipolar Disorder.

Bains N, Abdijadid S.Major Depressive Disorder. StatPearls Publishing.

National Institute of Mental Health.Major Depression.

Rolin D, Whelan J, Montano C.Is it depression or is it bipolar depression?Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2020;32(10):703-713 doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000499

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.

Otte C, Gold S, Penninx B, et al.Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016;2(16065). doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.65

Schuch F, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620

Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson C, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107

Cuellar A, Johnson S, Winters R.Distinctions between bipolar and unipolar depression. Clinical Psychology Review. 2005;25(3):307-339. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.002Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance.

Cuellar A, Johnson S, Winters R.Distinctions between bipolar and unipolar depression. Clinical Psychology Review. 2005;25(3):307-339. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.12.002

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