Recurrent Depression:
Beyond Mood Swings

Depression, alternatively referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest,” says the Mayo Clinic. It can disrupt the way you think, feel and behave. It goes beyond fleeting sadness and mood swings. The symptoms can cripple your functioning, so that doing and completing your daily tasks could become awfully difficult. You may feel hopeless, worthless, lethargic, alone, and sick most of the time.

If you think this is bad enough, you haven’t heard of depressive symptoms yet, coming back again and again. Imagine all the painful symptoms recurring so many times in your lifetime – this is recurrent depression. Yes, indeed this emotional condition can strike “more than once in a lifetime,” says WebMD. For about 40 to 60 percent of those struggling, depression can become an ongoing battle as it “becomes a chronic or lifelong illness, with several relapses or recurrences.”

There is, however, a way to prevent the recurrence of depression, or at least for episodes to be less severe, less in frequency, and short-lived. This is through treatment or professional intervention. Of the available options available for depressed people, it is deemed that counseling/therapy remains to be most effective. Thus, it must be a part of every patient’s treatment program.

What is Depression Relapse or Recurrent Depression?

Depression weighs down billions of people around the planet. In the United States, over 11 million people are struggling because of it. People experiencing one episode in a lifetime are still considered lucky because four to 6 people out of 10 may end up having several relapses – four to five, on the average – in a lifetime. In the health community this condition is better known as major recurrent depression (MRD). It is painstakingly more complicated and difficult to treat compared to the other types.

What is “depression relapse” or “recurrent depression?” Technically, it is defined by doctors as “… another episode of depression that happens fewer than six months after you’ve been treated for acute depression.” The mood condition has recurred when the episode is classified as “new” beginning six months, or longer, after a previous episode has been successfully resolved. The symptoms are the same, but these can be more severe and incapacitating. Untreated, a significant number of people with recurrent depression are at higher risk for self-harm, including suicide.

All those who have had depression are at risk to relapse. If you or a loved one has had an episode, know that you are as vulnerable as anyone who had depression before. It has nothing to do with being emotionally weak, but a traumatic experience or difficulty can potentially trigger a relapse. There are also scientific studies that suggest that those genetically predisposed are at a higher risk for recurrent depressive disorder.

Why is Depression Returning?

Not every person who experiences depression will succumb to a relapse. For many, however, it will come back, like a bad dream. Why does it come back? Or why are you and not others chronically depressed? Unfortunately, despite the sophisticated neuromedical advances, the answer to the question isn’t clear yet. Being complex and having many “biological-social-spiritual” influences, it is never easy to pinpoint the roots, the contributors and the triggers of chronic depression.

There are, however, a couple of facts that are worthy to note. One, people who have a more difficult life circumstance – unwholesome/abusive environment, stressful work, unhappy marriage/family, etc. – are more vulnerable to relapse. Though genetic predisposition can increase the risk, it isn’t quite understood yet the extent of its involvement or that of biological traits, temperament or personality. Two, relapse can be triggered by a person’s genetic makeup or emotional state. This is how therapy can help in preventing or mitigating recurrent depression.

Counseling/therapy: The Front-Line Defense for Recurrent Depression

More than the behavior changes and the sadness, recurrent depression isn’t just a flaw that can be systematically corrected, or a weakness that you can easily “snap out of.” Like any type of depression, it is an emotional condition that needs to be treated by a qualified professional. This starts with the diagnosis or the evaluation of the symptoms using talk therapy. There are several treatment options or interventions available for you. By far, the one that is widely held to be most effective is counseling/therapy.

Counseling/therapy is deemed more effective because depression is a strong personal experience.  Thus, to receive the necessary help you need, verbalizing your feelings is important. For an intervention to work, the patient must be able to express their thoughts and they must likewise understand what’s happening and how can they cooperate with their therapist. Talking can assist you in exploring your feelings and in understanding your emotional state and issues. If you have been here before, now may be a good time to see your therapist again.

There are other options. Whatever you decide on, it is important to combine it with counseling/therapy. In addition, keep your eyes open, when it comes to the alternative approaches. For instance, not all patients respond well to these alternative treatment options. Know that it isn’t a “one-size-fits-all treatment” for all people.

Exploring More Ways to Resolve Chronic Depression

Being multifaceted, treating recurrent depression can be complicated. This can mean changing your treatment or intervention program from time to time. In your desire to be free from the horrible symptoms of depression, you can be tempted to try other treatment options. Discuss this with your therapist to ensure that all elements of treatment are working in synergy. Make sure, as well, not to drop off on your counseling/therapy sessions midway through and keep cooperating with your therapist.

Working and cooperating well with your therapist can work to your advantage as you stay abreast of the new developments in the arena of depression treatments. You will also most likely understand how important it is to prevent recurrent depression from becoming lifelong baggage. If you will work and cooperate with your therapist, you can have an excellent chance of staying on course with your continuation and maintenance therapy.

What’s the difference between the two, and how can these help you stay on track towards recovery from recurrent depression? According to Martin B. Keller, M.D., Brown University School of Medicine, and Butler Hospital, Providence, R.I., “Continuation therapy is intended to prevent relapse, that is, to suppress the symptoms of a current depressive episode from which the patient has not fully recovered.” On the other hand, “maintenance therapy is a treatment designed to prevent recurrence, or the development of a new episode, once an acute episode and the continuation treatment phase are over.” These therapies include counseling/therapy. To prevent recurrent depression, both are important – in fact, maintenance therapy could be a lifelong or permanent treatment.

The Way Out of Recurrent Depression

Unipolar depression generally takes a recurrent or an episodic course for many of those struggling from major clinical depression. Even one episode can be overwhelming; the difficulties magnify as it becomes recurrent. It entails considerable pain as it hampers your functioning, as well as hope, interest, opportunities, etc. Thus, finding a way out of chronic depression should rank high in your priorities.

It is true that you can’t just snap out of depression, but do not let yourself sink deep into the symptoms as you move from episode to episode. Instead, take steps to improve your attitude and disposition. This begins with treatment in the hands of a right-fit professional. If you think that you’re having a depression relapse, don’t wait it out – talk to your trusted therapist right away. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC, about receiving treatment again and to schedule your first appointment with an independently contracted therapist. The dawning of more sophisticated procedures has made the diagnosis and treatment less difficult, particularly with counseling.

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