Allied Wellness believes strongly in the importance of mental health care as well as physical. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Depression rates in the U.S. tripled in early 2020 from 8.5% to 27.8% and increased even more to 32.8% in 2021. We are committed to providing the tools to prevent and manage this mental health condition, affecting more than 350 million people worldwide, and contributing to the risk of several physical chronic conditions.
Risk Factors
Depression is more common in adulthood, especially midlife or older adults. People at greater risk are usually those with personal or family history of depression, have suffered traumatic life events, and who have a certain physical illness or are on specific medications. Environmental factors like financial burden and work dissatisfaction can increase risk of depression, which are much more common during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Signs and Symptoms
Depression can be difficult to notice, as it can often manifest in gradual changes over time. Some common manifestations include loss of satisfaction or pleasure, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, diminished ability to concentrate, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of hopelessness.
Prevention
Although environmental factors are not entirely within our control, some lifestyle changes can lower your risk for depression. Increasing physical activity, as well as increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and omega-3 fatty acids are very effective ways to manage your risk.
Depression screening is recommended for all adults, regardless of risk factors. If you are experiencing depressive feelings and want help, please reach out to your Triada Health Coach, so they can provide you with the resources you need.
Managing Depression
While living a healthy lifestyle with lots of physical activity, good sleep, and a balanced diet can certainly help with managing depression, you should also consider other methods such as talking to a medical professional like a therapist or counselor. They can prescribe medication and find ways tailored to your specific needs to help you cope with depression.
Ask for help!
There are a variety of different resources if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. As an Allied Wellness Health Risk Management member you have access to counseling services. Ask your health coach how to access them! You can also reach the crisis text line by texting HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. No problem is “too small” to seek help for!
References
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association.
Kanter, J. & Manbeck, K. (2020, April 1). COVID-19 Could Lead to an Epidemic of Clinical Depression, and the Health Care System Isn’t Ready For That, Either. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/covid-19-could-lead to an- epidemic-of-clinical-depression-and-the-health-care- system-isnt-ready-for-that-either-134528
Opie, R. S., Itsiopoulos, C., Parletta, N., Sanchez-Villegas, A., Akbaraly, T. N., Ruusunen, A., & Jacka, F. N. (2017). Dietary recommendations for the prevention of depression. Nutritional Neuroscience, 20(3), 161–171. https://doi- org.ezproxy.lib.uh.edu/10.1179/1476830515Y.0000000043
Smithson, S., & Pignone, M. P. (2017). Screening Adults for Depression in Primary Care. The Medical clinics of North America, 101(4), 807–821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2017.03.010
Tips to Manage Depression | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2020). Adaa.Org. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression/tips
Zhao, J., Jiang, W., Wang, X., Cai, Z., Liu, Z., & Liu, G. (2020). Exercise, brain plasticity, and depression. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 26(9), 885–895. https://doi- org.ezproxy.lib.uh.edu/10.1111/cns.13385
