How to Make a Treatment Plan for Depression

Depression continues to be one of the most common mental health conditions, and its prevalence continues to rise. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 29% (nearly one-third) of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with depression during their lifetimes — nearly a 10% increase within the last decade. 

And while the study shows that more Americans are being treated for depression (a 7% increase), only 17.8% of those 29% receive the help they need. It reminds us how important it is to start a treatment plan for depression, a condition that is fully treatable and wholly manageable with the right help. 

If you’re unsure what therapy is all about, understand how a treatment plan for depressive disorders works or how to take a proactive role in crafting your own, keep reading to learn more.  

What Is Depression?  

We all have moments when we get down or moody, but those sentiments, a normal part of life, usually come to pass. Depression is more than just feeling sad or unmotivated. It’s a complex, multifaceted and very serious mental health condition that affects how you think, feel and function.   

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), many risk factors can result in developing depression. It can be genetic and handed down through the generations in families. (The APA says that if an identical twin has depression, the other stands a 70% chance of also developing it.) Chemical imbalances in the brain — the APA cites the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, to name a few — may also be a risk factor. 

Negative life events, like trauma, financial or job problems, relationship issues, or chronic stress can also contribute to depression. “Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and the depression itself,” states the World Health Organization. 

Depression doesn’t discriminate — it can impact anyone, regardless of age, background or lifestyle. According to studies, depression affects 8.7% of women and 5.3% of men. A 2023 study also showed that the presence of probable depression was 33.3% in transgender people, and in another study, transgender individuals who had undergone gender-affirming surgery were very less likely to seek mental health treatment for depression.  

Depression can also co-occur with various other illnesses and medical conditions, notes the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:  

• One-fourth of cancer patients experience depression. 

• Up to 27% of stroke victims develop depression. 

• Depression is noted as the second most common mental health disorder among people living with HIV. 

• 50% of people with Parkinson’s Disease also live with depression. 

• One-third of people with diabetes also suffer from depression. 

• More than one-fifth of people with a mood disorder like depression also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

Depressive Disorders Explained  

There are several different depressive disorders and subtypes, each with their own set of characteristics and challenges: 

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) 

Major depressive disorder is commonly known as clinical depression. It’s characterized by persistent low or depressed mood; anger, irritability or frustration over trivial things; anxiety and agitation; a loss of interest in activities that you once loved; fatigue and loss of mental and physical energy; difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly; feelings of worthlessness or fixating on/blaming yourself for past failures; and sometimes thoughts of self-harm or life not worth living.  

Symptoms of clinical depression must be present for at least two weeks in order to receive a diagnosis. “For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.”  

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) 

Where clinical depression happens in episodes lasting weeks and sometimes months, persistent depressive disorder gets its name because it’s a chronic, long-term mild-to-moderate type of depression that won’t go away, sometimes lasting for at least two years.  

PDD’s primary symptom is having a mood overshadowed by sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. You may have fatigue, limited energy, and difficulty concentrating. Eating or sleeping too much or too little are other signs of PDD as well as having performance issues at school or work. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, 1.5% of American adults experienced PDD within the past year, with 2.5% having had the disorder at some point during their lives. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 

Suppose you find that your mood dips during certain times of the year, it’s a reminder of how your environment and surroundings can affect your mental health. SAD usually happens during specific seasons of the year, usually in winter months when reduced sunlight, shorter days and colder weather can trigger depression.   

Some of the more common SAD symptoms include severe mood changes (being sullen, grouchy or anxious), fatigue, social withdrawal and loss of interest in things that once brought joy. What causes SAD? Neurochemical imbalances and vitamin D deficiencies are often cited as reasons. In the darker fall and winter months, our bodies may also produce more melatonin and encourage a sluggish, sleep feeling. Shifts in our biological clocks from shorter days may also raise your risk for SAD, and in many people, persistent negative feelings about winter are another contributing factor. 

Post-Partum Depression 

Prevalent in up to 15% of women, this form of depression affects new mothers. But post-partum depression is more than just the typical “baby blues” after giving birth (which also affects 50% to 75% of new moms, says the Cleveland Clinic); it’s a serious depressive disorder that can impact your ability to bond with your newborn and adjust to motherhood. 

Post-partum depression is sometimes called peripartum depression and can start during pregnancy. Symptoms of depression can include an inability to feel close to your baby, too much crying and intense mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or that you’re an inadequate mother, panic attacks and even thoughts of harming oneself or your child. 

Bipolar Disorder 

Episodes of alternating mania and depression typify bipolar disorder (previously clinically named manic-depressive illness or manic depression).  

These wildly vacillating states can range from “up” periods (where energy levels spike and impulsive behaviors increase) with “down” moments — depressive phases that can mirror the symptoms of MDD, such as the same overwhelming sadness and fatigue. “People with bipolar disorder often have other mental disorders, and some people may experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions,” notes the National Institute of Mental Health.