11 Facts You Might Not Know About Depression

While the exact cause of depression isn’t yet clear, researchers have made great progress in learning more about how to manage and treat this common mental health condition. Here are some facts about depression, depression symptoms, and depression treatments that might surprise you.

1. Genetics May Be to Blame for Up to Half of Depression Cases

The genetic predisposition to depression is becoming better understood and might explain why one person becomes depressed and another doesn’t, says Ole Thienhaus, MD, a retired department head and professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson.

2. People With Depression Might Not ‘Look’ Depressed

“Depression is a hidden illness,” says Jeremy Coplan, MD, a professor of psychiatry at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. Some people can seem upbeat and cheerful while inside they’re struggling with the symptoms of depression.

3. Depression Can Cause Physical Pain

4. Depression Is Strongly Linked to Gut Health

5. Depression May Cause Physical Changes to the Brain

Some people with MDD have changes in the brain that can be seen in imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, according to a review that evaluated studies examining the use of MRI scans to diagnose and treat MDD.

6. Depression Is Linked to Other Health Conditions

7. Depression Treatment Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Treatment for depression can involve psychotherapy (aka talk therapy), antidepressant medication, and self-care strategies, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. But the exact combination of treatments that help varies from person to person based on symptom severity, and it can take some trial and error to find the right one.

For mild to moderate depression, talk therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) and lifestyle changes are considered first-line treatments. But for moderate to severe depression, a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication is often helpful. Sometimes antidepressant medications will be used first to alleviate depression enough for therapy to be helpful, Dr. Coplan says.

8. It’s Common to Need to Try More Than One Antidepressant

Many people who take antidepressants don’t get relief from the first one they try. That’s expected, because (for unknown reasons) different people benefit from different medications, and some don’t find any benefit from the medications we currently have available. People may sometimes need to try several medications before they find an antidepressant that works well for them, says Diane Solomon, PhD, a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Portland, Oregon.

9. Exercise Is One of the Best Self-Care Strategies for Depression

10. What You Eat Can Help or Hurt Depression Risk

Being mindful of dietary choices could have a meaningful impact on your risk for this condition.

11. Depression and Anxiety Often Co-Occur

“Anxiety can be as debilitating as depression, but people may have lived with it so long, they don’t realize they actually have anxiety,” says Dr. Solomon, who adds that women are especially vulnerable to anxiety disorders.

The Takeaway

Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, and it can affect your brain health, gut health, and risk for other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or chronic pain. The most common treatments for depression are talk therapy, antidepressants, and lifestyle changes. The right combination often varies from person to person based on symptom severity, and it can take some trial and error to find the best regimen for you.

Additional reporting by Erica Patino and Christina Vogt.