Special Report: The United States of Depression
America faces no greater mental health crisis. Solutions exist. Learn how we got here and what needs to be done.
Depression is the №1 mental health challenge in the United States, tearing people apart in every corner of the country and every demographic group. It is also widely misunderstood, often stigmatized, and frequently not diagnosed or treated properly. Wise & Well writers — physicians, research scientists, journalists, psychiatrists and other mental health experts — reveal the scope of the problem, the many causes, and the wide range of helpful remedies for what experts deem one of the most treatable mental disorders. Here is the final installment:
What is a Life Post-Depression Meant to Look Like? (Sept. 27)
Life after depression will look different. But what it won’t look like is a perpetual sunrise of happiness and joy. Who would even want that? Life needs despair. On a bright note, surviving clinical depression means one can finally be free of all the shallow and frantic mental health chitter-chatter.
— By Niall Stewart
The rest of the series, from the start…
The scope, the challenges, and who is most affected
Anyone can fall into depression, but some groups are at much higher risk
Confronting America’s Fixable Depression Crisis (Sept. 5)
Depression is highly treatable. Yet rates in the United States are soaring. Experts say we need to collectively acknowledge the scope of the problem, shake the stigma, and embrace solutions known to work. In this overview, learn why Americans are so depressed and what needs to be done.
— By Robert Roy Britt
Are You Depressed, or Just Sad? (Sept. 5)
The medical definition of depression may be imperfect, but it helps people understand what they are suffering from and predict what is likely to happen without treatment, and it offers useful guidance for effective remedies. Confusion creeps in, however, when people use the term depression to describe normal, everyday sadness.
— By John Kruse, MD
The Kids Are Not OK (Sept. 6)
Depression rates among adolescents keep rising, especially in girls. New approaches are needed to combat the crisis, and schools can help identify the problem and provide resources.
— By Dr. Julian Barkan
Depression in Older Adults: Facing Unique Challenges (Sept. 7)
Retirement, grief and loss, health concerns, and cognitive decline can contribute to depression among older adults. Experts in geriatric psychology share how to tell if you or someone you love is struggling with serious depression…or just getting older.
— By Kathleen Murphy
When Depression Turns Deadly: Society, Suicide and Transgender People Sept. 8)
Discrimination against transgender people — laws prohibiting the use of hormone therapy, access to bathrooms, or participation in sports — and a political and cultural environment that fuels outright hatred and violence combine to raise the risk of depression and suicide.
— By Elizabeth Knight, PhD
Is It Depression or the Menopause? (Sept. 11)
Middle-aged women often struggle with anxiety, lack of energy, brain fog and other symptoms that can be indicators of depression. But these same symptoms can also result from low estrogen levels. Many doctors prescribe antidepressants for women who are not actually depressed and who may benefit from other treatments that improve mood and overall health.
— By Dana Mayer
The causes and contributing factors
There is no single cause—multiple known elements typically add up
Hooked: How Common Obsessions Lead to Depression (Sept. 12)
Humans are wired to pursue pleasure. But too much of a good thing — whether substances like alcohol or drugs or behaviors like gambling or video gaming — can backfire, leading to depression and anxiety. Here’s how to break the cycle and restore balance.
— By Kathleen Murphy
The Gut Truth About the Microbiome’s Role in Depression (Sept. 13)
The food we choose to eat helps shape our microbiome. The right diet might offer a protective effect against depression, for example. Conversely, antibiotics can sometimes lead to depression as a side effect, illustrating the power of the gut-mind connection.
— By Sam Westreich, PhD
How Diet Alters Brain Chemistry to Cause (or Battle) Depression (Sept. 14)
Depression is enigmatic. Some people succumb, yet others never do. Some recover, others can’t. Cracking the mystery of its origins requires understanding the chemistry of the brain, and how the rest of the body can control what happens in the mind.
— By Brent R. Stockwell, PhD
Alcoholism and Depression Often Coexist and Fuel One Another (Sept. 15)
Alcohol use fuels and exacerbates depression, and depression can drive alcohol abuse. Treating either condition can improve the other. Having seen it up close, the writer walks us through the science of alcohol-induced depression and depression-induced alcoholism and the promise of dual-diagnosis programs.
— By Gillian May
Insomnia and Depression: Seriously Frustrating Bedfellows (Sept. 18)
Depression can lead to serious sleep problems. And poor sleep can raise the risk of depression. There are several effective ways to avoid this vicious cycle by promoting better sleep — tactics that are also helpful on their own for preventing or treating depression.
— By Robert Roy Britt
Treatments and solutions
Preventing and treating depression must be a group effort
How to Talk with Someone Who’s Depressed (Sept. 19)
You can make it better for a friend or loved one who is depressed, or you can make it worse. So what should you say — or not say? Here are the basic guidelines to consider and specific suggestions for what to utter and what to keep to yourself.
— By Gail Post, PhD
With Depression, We Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends (Sept. 20)
Nobody deep into depression can climb out of it on their own. Belongingness, building relationships, and empowering others to help are all clear research-based approaches help alleviate depression.
— By Catherine Sanderson, PhD
Ketamine and Psilocybin Give Hope For Those Running Out of It (Sept. 21)
Ketamine (a powerful sedative) and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) have a reputation as party drugs, but they can also provide elusive relief for depressed individuals who have not responded to other therapies. But will the beneficial effects stand the test of time? And are hallucinations a side effect, or part of the cure?
— By Eric J. Kort MD
When, Where and How We Eat Can Raise (or Reduce) the Risk of Depression (Sept. 22)
Dietary recommendations for staving off or reducing symptoms of depression abound. But the way we eat — when, where, how often — can be just as impactful on mental health as what we eat.
— By Giana Porpiglia, LMHC
Medication or Meditation: Which is Best for Depression? (Sept. 25)
Treating depression with medication can be very effective, but not without pitfalls and side effects. Popular forms of meditation can also be effective, though the evidence is far more limited. For many of us, a multi-modality approach is the answer.
— By Eric J. Kort MD
Double Trouble: Pain is Depressing. Depression is Painful. (Sept. 25)
Millions of Americans struggle with both conditions, new research finds, suggesting a rethink of treatment options. The findings also beg for a greater awareness that chronic pain should set off alarm bells for potential depression symptoms to come.
—By Robert Roy Britt
How Deep Brain Stimulation Can Help With Severe Depression (Sept. 26)
An implanted, pacemaker-like device can decrease symptoms in some people with treatment-resistant depression. New research finds objective biomarkers to measure success of the process.
—By Christopher Rozell and Sankaraleengam Alagapan
Treating Depression Successfully Requires a Multi-Pronged Strategy (Sept. 26)
Simply being told you need to move more and change your diet is unlikely to be helpful during depressive episodes. While physical activity and good nutrition are important factors in warding off or treating depression, learn how to effectively include these lifestyle factors in a broader depression therapy plan.
— By Mandy Willig, PhD, RD
If you or a loved one is depressed, it’s vital to talk about it. Because depression increases the risk of suicide, consider calling the confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273-TALK (8255) for English, 1–888–628–9454 for Spanish, or call or text 988. Global support in 44 languages is available from Befrienders Worldwide.
This page will be updated as each article is published.
