Depression

Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia, is a chronic depression that is less severe than major depression but still causes distress and disruption to someone’s life. In addition to feeling depressed more often than not for at least two years (one year in children), a person with persistent depressive disorder will also experience two or more of the following symptoms: eating too much or too little, sleeping too much or too little, low energy, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness.

Persistent depressive disorder symptoms linger for long periods of time. As a result, people who have this condition sometimes feel like this is “normal” for them or part of their personality. With treatment, however, people with persistent depressive disorder can reduce their symptoms and feel better.

When a woman experiences a major depressive episode during pregnancy or within four weeks of giving birth, she has major depressive disorder with perinatal onset, often referred to as perinatal depression or postpartum depression. Symptoms are the same as major depression, including sad mood, sleep problems, fatigue, appetite disturbance, loss of enjoyment of activities.

Perinatal depression is different and more serious than the typical “baby blues.” Many women have the “baby blues” after the birth of their child and experience irritability, crying spells, frustration, anxiety, and mood fluctuation. These symptoms usually resolve within one or two weeks. If symptoms continue or worsen, begin to disrupt daily life, or affect your interest in or ability to care for your baby, you should speak to a doctor right away.

Approximately 10 million Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than men. SAD, a type of depression, recurs during the fall and winter months as the days grow shorter. The effects of SAD can be worse during the stressful holiday season or when isolated or apart from loved ones.

Two components comprise SAD:

1. Seasonality – SAD symptoms tend to recur with the transition into winter when less sunlight reaches our eyes each day.
2. Affect – Typically SAD symptoms are the same as other major depressive disorder symptoms such as sad mood, loss of interest in activities, and sleeping or eating too much.

Seasonal affective disorder is more severe and distressing than the common “winter blues” and should be evaluated by a doctor. Like other forms of depression, SAD is treatable.

The depression management program strives to improve the quality of life for members with depression. The program connects you with a specialized care manager who provides education, helps identify and overcome barriers to care, links you to providers when needed, and supports the treatment plan laid out by your healthcare provider.

Who would benefit from this program? Members who:

• Have recently been diagnosed with depression or have recently been prescribed an antidepressant medicine
• Have recently been hospitalized related to depression
• Have depression along with other medical conditions
• Want to connect with a behavioral health provider but need help navigating the system or need additional support

When starting a new antidepressant, you must take it as directed for at least four to six weeks for it to take full effect. Even if you are feeling better, you should continue to take your medication to prevent symptoms from returning. You should only stop taking your antidepressant if your doctor directs you to do so. When you stop taking your antidepressant too quickly, it can cause serious side effects and your symptoms may return.

If you find that your medication isn’t effective, you should discuss alternative medications with your doctor. Research shows that symptoms often improve with a different antidepressant even if there was little to no improvement with the first type of antidepressant.

Evidence-based psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has been shown to be as effective as medication for long-term treatment of many depressive disorders, and should always be considered as a primary treatment for depression, with or without medication therapy.