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(855) 940-4867
How does Depression Feel
Laurence Lippsett
Medically reviewed on 11/23/2020 by
Dr. Steven Harvey
St. Louis Regional Medical Director
We've all had bad days—days when we feel like we don't have enough energy or confidence to get through the workday and would rather stay in bed. But does that mean you're suffering from depression? What does depression feel like, exactly? There's no one-size-fits-all list of symptoms for depression, but rather a complex range of symptoms that can be hard to recognize and perhaps different from what you might expect. People often equate depression with sadness, but you can be depressed without necessarily feeling sad, and vice versa.
So how does depression feel? The answer is that it's different for different people. An estimated 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide, and each of those people experiences depression in their own unique way. However, there are some symptoms to be aware of that can help you determine whether you might be experiencing depression.
Depression: Not Just Emotional Symptoms
It's an old cliché that life's a roller coaster. You expect that your moods will take downward dips occasionally: normal daily life comes with a range of stressors, and you are bound to encounter people, situations, and events that trigger anger, sadness, or other negative emotions. With time, though, the car keeps rolling and ascends again. But if the roller coaster of life doesn't seem to be turning back upward again, that may be a signal to give yourself a mental checkup. If you're feeling sad or anxious for a prolonged period—two weeks or more—and you find yourself not wanting to do some of the things you always liked to do, these may be signs of depression.
In addition, if you are constantly burdened with thoughts and feelings of guilt, helplessness, worthlessness, or suicide; or you often feel restless, easily irritated, or frustrated, these too should spur you to consult your doctor. But depression isn't only tied to mental and emotional distress. It can spark a host of physical symptoms that you should keep an eye on as well. Anxiety can interfere with sleep and eating patterns—sometimes in opposite ways. Some people with depression eat a lot to soothe themselves and gain weight, while others lose their appetites. Many people with depression get insomnia and have trouble falling asleep, or they wake up in the middle of the night and cannot help but ruminate on stressful thoughts, which can make it difficult to go back to sleep.
For others, the opposite happens: they can't wake up, and they sleep far longer than usual. Other physical ailments that can arise alongside depression can include muscle tension, headaches, or stomach problems. If you are feeling tired and stressed, you may also have trouble focusing, recalling details, or making decisions
Potential Treatment Options
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it's possible you may be suffering from depression. While depression can often be successfully treated with therapy and medications, one in three people continue experiencing symptoms of depression even after trying two medications.
If these methods have not been effective for you, another option is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment in which patients sit comfortably in a chair, awake and alert, as a device near their scalp delivers gentle magnetic pulses similar to those of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These pulses stimulate changes in brain chemical signaling that can alleviate symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Depression doesn't always feel how you may expect it to. It's important to understand and recognize the symptoms of depression so they can be treated and life can turn upward again. Remember, you're not alone in facing depression, and even if you haven't seen success with medication treatments, there are other options that may work for you.
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A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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