There is no right or wrong way to experience depression. It is important for anyone that is or suspects they may be struggling with depression to seek help. Depression can get worse over time, especially if left untreated, and once a person struggles with depression for a long time, the treatment process can become more arduous.
Still, as psychiatrists, we’re often looking at the severity of the symptoms as we try to determine the best treatment plan. While it is true – if not critical to understand – that everyone with depression can and should seek support, some depression requires a more significant treatment plan that is adjusted to the severity of the condition.
So, what are some of the signs that a person’s depression has become “severe?”
How to Tell if a Person’s Depression Has Become More Severe
While all forms of depression share certain core characteristics, such as persistent sadness or a loss of interest in activities, the severity of the condition is determined by the intensity, duration, and impact of these symptoms on daily life.
Severe depression is a more intense form of the disorder that significantly impairs a person’s ability to function and often requires more intensive treatment. Some of the signs that depression has become more severe include the following.
Suicidal Ideation
If a person has considered – or, unfortunately, attempted – any form of self-harm or the idea of ending their own life, then that depression has progressed into its more severe form, regardless of other symptoms. Suicidal ideation is indicative of a loss of hope, which occurs when depression has reached a higher severity level.
Intensity of Symptoms
Individuals with severe depression experience intense and overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, despair, and worthlessness that are difficult to alleviate. Severe depression often involves pronounced physical symptoms, such as debilitating fatigue, significant changes in appetite and weight, or chronic physical pain that cannot be explained by a medical condition, and these symptoms are rarely in passing – they are a more common, daily experience.
Impact on Daily Functioning
Unlike mild or moderate depression, which might allow individuals to manage some aspects of daily life, severe depression often renders individuals unable to work, attend school, or maintain personal responsibilities.
Severe depression can lead to complete social isolation, as individuals may feel incapable of interacting with others or participating in social activities.
Cognitive Impairment
Concentration problems in severe depression often go beyond distraction, leading to an inability to complete even simple tasks or make decisions. The person may also struggle with memory loss issues, trouble solving problems, and emotional dysregulation when faced with challenges.
Duration of Symptoms
Severe depression typically involves symptoms that persist for weeks or months without relief. While mild depression might resolve with lifestyle changes or short-term therapy, severe depression often requires long-term treatment and support.
Treatment Programs for Severe Depression
Situations when a person’s depression has become severe often necessitate a more significant approach to treatment. Depression has a very self-sustaining quality – For example, when a person is depressed, they may feel like life is hopeless, only to struggle to get things done as a result. This, in turn, means that they fall behind in their daily tasks and add additional stress as a result.
Treatment programs typically need to be more intense, and involve more than one approach. Examples include:
- Medication – Antidepressants, often in combination with other medications, are commonly used to manage severe depression. Adjustments to dosage or medication type may be needed over time.
- Psychotherapy – Intensive therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help individuals manage symptoms and develop coping strategies.
- Advanced Interventions – For treatment-resistant cases, therapies like ECT, TMS, or ketamine infusions may be considered to address severe symptoms.
- Support Systems – Family, friends, and support groups play a vital role in helping individuals with severe depression navigate their challenges and maintain hope.
As a psychiatrist that specializes in depression, Dr. Sehdev knows that medication or therapy alone is not always effective for severe depression. It is one of the reasons that we have invested so heavily into TMS Therapy – a groundbreaking, non-medication approach that has been shown to help decrease depressive symptoms even in those with severe depression that may not have responded well to other treatment options.
Still, it’s important to note a few things: First, all depression should be treated, regardless of severity or intensity. Second, everyone’s treatment should be customized to them. We won’t know if TMS, medication, therapy, or other mental health options are the right choice until we’ve had an opportunity to assess the individual.
If you need help for depression in the Dallas area, please reach out to Aware Behavioral Health, today. We are happy to chat with you about your mental health needs and determine what approach(es) will work best for your needs.
