I am an ex-pat living in the UK for almost 15 years now. My initial plan was to go on a vacation in London after I got diagnosed with clinical mental illness in the US following my parents’ deaths. Both mental health issues and traumatic experiences are challenging. I hawhen ve to deal with them together simultaneously. At times I know my physical, mental, and emotional health are not syncing and helping each other, so I often end up constantly fighting for my life. It’s as if I always have to take extra care because these three can damage each other if I don’t pay enough attention.
I thanked God that with all my psychological issues, I still managed to make an effort to improve things. Thus, I reached out to people and asked them for help. Most of them suggested seeking mental health care, so I scheduled a professional consultation. The psychiatrist told me a change of scenery might do me some good, so London was the first destination that came to mind. After six months, I only decided to relocate there permanently when I found new friends in the UK and realized that no one would miss me back home. I may sound so lonely and upset, but that is the truth.
Life in this new country had been incredible from the beginning. My original office in the US had another base in the UK, so I merely had to ask to be moved there. Gladly, my superiors and other company executives are considerate of my request. Of course, I know they agreed to my demands because they knew what I was going through then. I am mentally and emotionally unstable, but I am still able to work, and I am still part of the company’s assets.
After five years of staying and working in London, I already became a subject of the Queen, which I thought was cool. Then, a couple of years later, I found the love of my life. It was the best thing that ever happened to me after the death of my parents. And with all the mental health issues I endured, my love life gave me hope that I could still be happy despite all the negative circumstances.
The Devastation
Being with Lisa made me happy – too happy that I almost forgot about my depression. I lost count of the days I felt sad because she always made me smile. She makes me laugh, and she takes care of me as much as I take care of her. She loved traveling, so I always went wherever she wanted. We always spent time hiking and visiting lakes. She loves the outdoors, and I have begun to love them too. We always try different things related to visiting places and learning about different cultures. Traveling strengthens our bond, and it keeps us sane and in love during those times.
The only thing that upset me was that Lisa always refused to move in with me. I understand that she doesn’t entirely want to commit to that type of responsibility in a relationship, and I bet she would first want to get married before moving in with me. I respected her decision and waited for a couple of more months so I could pop the big question to her. Soon, I came up with a surprise proposal plan to ask Lisa to marry me so we could be legally together. Unfortunately, before I could do that, I caught her cheating on me with her boss.
I honestly don’t understand what went wrong with our relationship. We were good together and happy all the time. She always tells me that she loves me and that being with me is fulfilling. She lied about it and committed the worse mistake. At first, I was planning on forgetting everything and forgiving her. But when I found out that it took them almost a year to hide their cheating, I was heartbroken. I thought things were getting better for me, but I was wrong.
To cut a long story short, my depression came back. Worse, my new psychiatrist said that I had a double depression. I left London and wandered around the UK until I found Tynemouth, hoping the scenic place could heal a complex problem like double depression.
What Does The Phrase “Double Depression” Mean?
Double depression is a unique condition in which an individual gets diagnosed with types of mood disorder. People tend to deal with this mental illness when a psychiatrist initially concludes that they have clinical depression. After a year or so, and symptoms are still there, they realize that they also have dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily functioning activities, and can also include other symptoms such as low energy, low self-esteem, and worsening symptoms.
Double depression, on the other hand, is a subtype of major depression where people experience a major depressive episode in addition to dysthymic disorder, a chronic depression that lasts for at least two years and impairs daily functioning. People with double depression often have severe symptoms and may require treatment from clinical psychiatry. While non-chronic major depression can last for a few weeks, chronic major depression is a long-term condition that requires ongoing psychiatric research and treatment to help alleviate symptoms.
Treatment for double depression can include therapy and medication, and seeking treatment for arising symptoms resolves the issue and can be a tool to manage other medical conditions related to low mood or depression, such as dysthymia.
The Two Leading Causes Of Depression
Abuse is one of the primary causes of depression. When an individual gets violated physically, emotionally, or mentally for an extended period, after all, the scars may last longer than people may realize. Even if they move past the abuse, the depression may remain until they work through it.
Another primary cause of depression is genetics. According to studies, if one of your close relatives has been diagnosed with depression, similar symptoms may manifest in you or another relative after some time. There is a high chance that depression is already in your genes, just waiting to be triggered. That trigger factor is typically a series of stressful events in a person’s life.
Other Leading Cause Of Depression
The answer depends on the age of the person who has been diagnosed with depression. In case they are young adults, stressful or traumatic events are the #1 cause of depression. For older adults, the diagnosis of a physical illness may make them feel depressed.
Another common cause of this mental health condition is mental stress. It can be the product of various issues like divorce, bullying, unemployment, burnout, etc. The more stressful situations you find yourself in, the more you tend to feel depressed.
Can You Have More Than One Type Of Depression?
Yes, you can have more than one type of depression. In truth, many people who get diagnosed with clinical depression end up getting persistent depressive disorder (a.k.a. dysthymia) over time; this is often referred to as a double depression. That is especially true if the symptoms of depression come back even after seeming to go away for a while. When it occurs, psychiatrists may diagnose you with double depression.
Is Depression A Learned Behavior?
Yes, depression is a learned behavior – that is, if you talk to behavioral psychologists. This idea makes sense, considering the mental disorder comes with unhelpful symptoms that can last for months or years. In that case, mental health professionals believe that you can unlearn depression by modifying how you think and feel about specific situations.
Is Dysthymia A Mood Disorder?
Yes, dysthymia is a mood disorder. By its other name, people may have known it as a persistent depressive disorder, a chronic form of depression that may affect a person’s way of living for years. Unfortunately, simple self-help techniques may not suffice to eliminate dysthymia, but mixing antidepressants with psychotherapy may do the job over time.
Who Is At The Most Significant Risk For This Mental Health Problem?
A female between the ages of 18 and 25 is at the most significant risk of having depression. If you think about it, young adulthood is the time when a woman needs to make a lot of life-changing decisions. For instance, “What should I do after college?” “What career should I follow?” “Should I even go to college?” “How can I make my dreams come true?” The more pressure she experiences, the more likely she is to get depressed.
What Are The Four Types Of The Mental Health?
The four types of depression are:
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- Bipolar disorder
- Dysthymia
- Clinical depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
Which Country Has The Highest Rate Of This Mental Health Condition?
China holds the title for the highest depression rate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A local news outlet in 2016 reported that 100 million people in the country had been diagnosed with depression, although a significant number of them may be unaware of it. Because of that, suicide has become a growing concern for the Chinese government.
Is It Normal To Cry Every Day?
No, it is not normal to cry every day, mostly if you are not mourning the loss of a loved one or dealing with tear-inducing circumstances. In truth, crying for no reason at all is one of the many signs of depression. It entails that you may have latent emotions that are yet to come out.
It’s important to recognize warning signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder to address mental health issues early on. Depression symptoms may include persistent negative thoughts, excessive sleeping or sleep problems, unexplained aches, stomach pain, and significant weight loss or gain. Suicidal thoughts and substance abuse can also be signs of depression. Common signs of severe depression may include different symptoms, such as anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder, which can sometimes overlap with double depression. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, seek treatment from mental health professionals such as Mental Health America or the American Psychiatric Association. Treatment options may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. It’s important to note that older adults may present with different symptoms of depressive disorders, such as weight loss or excessive sleeping. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of depression, it’s essential to seek help as soon as possible.
It’s crucial to pay attention to changes in body weight and weight gain as they can be symptoms of depression. In some cases, people with depression may gain weight as a result of overeating or lack of physical activity, while others may lose weight due to a loss of appetite or increased metabolism. Either way, significant changes in body weight can be a sign that someone is struggling with depression. If you notice that you or someone you know is experiencing changes in body weight, along with other signs and symptoms of depression, it’s important to seek help from mental health professionals as soon as possible.
If you find yourself crying every day, you should see a psychologist or psychiatrist for a diagnosis and potential rejuvenation through therapies.
Final Thoughts: Beating Double Depression
I wish I could move to Tynemouth for good. After an entire month of staying near the beach, riding the bike around the town, and inhaling that salty fresh air, I got my depressive symptoms in control again. Alas, I could not stay there any longer due to my job, but the vacation served its purpose. I would undoubtedly go back there as often as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The 5 Rs Of Depression?
Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, Replace, and Reinforce. These 5 Rs of depression are a framework for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and are used to address symptoms of depression. This cognitive behavioral approach aims to change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
“Recognize” means identifying and acknowledging the disorder from the thoughts and feelings.
“Reflect” means exploring and challenging the underlying beliefs and assumptions that may be contributing to the condition.
“Reframe” is about challenging distorted and negative thinking patterns and replacing them with more positive and realistic thoughts.
“Replace” means focusing on healthier coping behaviors and strategies that combat chronic depression.
“Reinforce” emphasizes the importance of practicing the new positive behavioural patterns to sustain positive change and resiliency against the mental health condition.
Can You Have This Mental Health Problem Multiple Times?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to experience mental health issues such as depression multiple times throughout the course of your lifetime. As with many other mental health disorders, depression is episodic, and episodes can be followed by another episode, this is called remission or relative wellness. This recurring nature makes it essential to understand long term management strategies.
As with its initial onset, the recurrence of major depression can be influenced by various factors, from genetics, personal circumstances, and environmental stressors, but previous treatment’s efficacy can also be a contributory factor. This can even escalate to major depressive disorder if not properly managed.
With that said, note that each episode can be unique and may require personalized intervention and support. Thus, it is important to seek professional help to get the proper persistent depressive disorder treatment plan and to manage and prevent future episodes, including those of double depression.
How Does This Mental Health Problem Affect The Brain?
Depression can cause various effects on the brain. Research suggests that it can even alter the brain structure, such as causing the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex to become smaller. Both parts of the brain are responsible for regulating mood and cognitive functions. Moreover, this major depressive mental health condition can also disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters inside the brain, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are all important for regulating mood. This kind of persistent depressive change can be detrimental.
Depression is also said to affect the brain’s ability to adapt and change (neuroplasticity), which causes the individual to have difficulties in forming new connections and neutral pathways. This causes impaired cognitive function, mood swings, and negative thinking patterns that are symptomatic of depressive disorder.
What Type Of Depression Is Untreatable?
It is important to note that most forms of depression are treatable. However, there is a subtype of this mental health condition that can be difficult to manage; it’s called treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For some individuals, this might manifest as persistent depressive disorder.
TRD doesn’t respond to standard treatments, such as the use of psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. Fortunately, it is not entirely non-treatable, as one can explore potential options and approaches. The most common of these are alternative therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which are said to provide relief if accompanied by the persistence and guidance of mental health professionals.
How Do I Know If My Mental Health Issue Is Genetic?
Only your healthcare provider can help you identify the cause and triggers of your mental health issues like depression. A psychiatrist or a genetic counselor can help you determine whether your condition is genetic or not.
While genetics indeed play a huge role in the development of mental health issues, depression, as with other mental health disorders, is a complex condition that is influenced by multiple factors. Thus, a healthcare professional will thoroughly assess your medical history and your family’s medical history.
In some cases, they will use genetic testing and analysis to identify the specific gene variations and mutations associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. This can be especially important for those with a history of major depressive disorder.