Depression is a common mental health condition that many people experience at some point in their lives. Some studies show depression may have different stages, similar to grief.
Depression affects millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that many will experience at some point in their life.
There are several different types of depression, and each one may cause specific symptoms. The condition can result from an upsetting or stressful life event, such as:
losing a loved one
divorce
receiving a health diagnosis
Several treatment methods can help you manage depression symptoms, such as medication and talk therapy.
Stages of grief
Some suggest depression may occur in stages similar to the 5 stages of grief, also known as DABDA. While no scientific evidence supports this theory, it can make understanding the condition’s progression easier for some people. About 1 in 6 people will experience the condition at some point in their lives.
The 5 stages of DABDA include:
Denial: Some people may reject their reality as a response to stressful life events. It is common to have a period of denial while processing new and upsetting information. The duration can vary among people.
Anger: People may experience anger after they stop denying their reality. It can cause you to direct the blame on a specific person or group, or it could be generalized and undirected. The symptoms a person may experience during this stage include:
Bargaining: At this stage, people may often seek to have some control over their situation. The symptoms of this stage may include feeling helpless and finding it difficult to make decisions.
Depression: This may develop immediately or occur after the first 3 stages. Depression is a common mental health condition.
Acceptance: This is typically the last stage of grief, where people with depression no longer protest against the upsetting life event that has occurred. However, people may still need emotional support during this stage.
Stages of depression
A 2017 staged model of depression suggests that there are 4 parts of the condition:
Wellness: This stage usually includes the absence of distressing emotional experiences.
Distress: This next involves mild to moderate distressing emotional experiences, that tend to last for a short period of time.
Depressive disorder: The third stage revolves around severe distressing emotional experiences and lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. It may also impair your social functioning.
Refractory or recurrent depressive disorder: The final stage involves depression that is unresponsive to treatment interventions. It may also feature recurrent relapse episodes.
If you are experiencing depression symptoms, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to put together a treatment plan.
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Talk therapy
A healthcare professional may recommend you undergo talk therapy to help you manage symptoms.
psychodynamic therapy involves looking at each aspect of your life to find out what may be causing your depression symptoms
counseling can help you understand your depression as well as your feelings surrounding particular life events
Often, a doctor may suggest a combination of medication and talk therapy. Although, this depends on the severity of your symptoms.
Prevention
Certain lifestyle measures may help you cope with depression and reduce its symptoms, including:
practicing meditation, yoga, or physical exercise
reaching out to friends and loved ones
getting enough hours of sleep
learning more about your condition
developing coping skills to manage stress easily
If you have any concerns about your mental health, doctors can recommend ways to prevent or improve your symptoms.
When should you speak with a doctor?
If you are concerned that you have symptoms of depression, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can suggest a treatment plan to help. It’s also important to know that not all people who have depression are aware of it.
The symptoms of depression can vary for everyone. You should contact a doctor if you experience the following:
having no motivation or little interest in activities
having low self-esteem
unexplained aches and pains
fatigue
feeling anxious
loss of libido
thoughts of harming yourself
suicidal thoughts
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you feel it’s an emergency.
While you wait for help to arrive, stay with someone and remove any weapons or substances that can cause harm. You are not alone.
Summary
Some people believe that depression occurs in stages, similar to the 5 stages of grief. The severity of symptoms increases during each stage of depression and the readiness of the person with depression to seek medical help. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.
You should speak with your doctor if you notice any changes in mood affecting your day-to-day life, regardless of the stage or the severity of the symptoms you experience.