About 3 to 6% of the population is at risk of developing double depression. While it is not a formal clinical term, it does refer to having the symptoms of two different depression diagnoses. Diagnosis and treatment for double depression is not easy, but leaving the treatment may deteriorate your health more effectively. It can cause problems with daily functioning and affect the quality of life, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts. In this blog, we will find out the definition of double depression, its symptoms, and the coping mechanisms for it.
What is Double Depression?
Double depression is a complication of a psychiatric illness that involves persistent depressive disorder (PDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is also known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder. It is a depressed mood caused by just one or two other symptoms of clinical depression that lasts at least two years in adults or one year in kids.
Some people may have this mood disorder called bipolar disorder because, mostly, it is because of anxiety and depression. If you have double depression, a mental health professional might give you two separate diagnoses: one for persistent depressive disorder and the other for major depressive disorder.
Read More: Symptoms and Causes of Depression – How to Treat Them?
What Are the Symptoms of Double Depression
Double depression symptoms are the same as signs of depression. But there are some other indications as well for double depression symptoms. Not everyone experiences depression the same way. You might be feeling some symptoms that other patients do not face. Your diagnosis will be deciding whether you have double depression or just depression by checking your symptoms for persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder.
In some cases, you might have symptoms of major depressive disorder first, and then after some time feel persistent depressive disorder. For more clarification, you need to understand the symptoms of both of these disorders.
Symptoms for Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder is a new disorder, before that, it was treated under the symptoms of dysthymia and major depression. These are some persistent depression symptoms changes in appetite, i.e., eating significantly more or less than usual, changes in sleep patterns like difficulty falling and staying asleep, or sleeping more hours than usual, otherwise unexplained fatigue and low energy low self-esteem difficulty with attention, concentration, and decision-making persistent sense of hopelessness are all included in the indications for persistent depressive disorder.
Read More: Is There A Link Between Headaches and Depression?
Symptoms for Major Depressive Disorder
MDD is major depression that also leads you to other diseases such as bipolar disorder. It involves low mood and loss of interest in things that once enjoyed. If these symptoms are present for more than two weeks, then you have major depressive disorder
- depressed or low mood
- difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- eating disorder
- changes in appetite or weight
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- changes in movement patterns, like moving faster, or slower than usual
- low energy and fatigue
- irritability in children and teens
- low interest or loss of pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- intense feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness may cause OCD
- recurring thoughts of death or self-harm, including suicide ideation or attempts
These symptoms are for both the diseases, major depression, and persistent depression. If these symptoms appear simultaneously in a person, then he needs treatment for double depression.
Read More: Is Seasonal Depression Genetic?
What is the Treatment for Double Depression?
A combination of psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management is mostly used to treat double depression. The focus of treatment for double depression is relieving the more acute symptoms of your major depression and addressing the more chronic issues related to your persistent depressive disorder. Your medical professional will try to customize the treatment plan to fit your needs because the symptoms are different for each patient.
Therapeutical Treatment
Many types of psychotherapy exist that may help with double depression symptoms and all other types of depression. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help you deal with your thinking and cognitive patterns that cause you distress and lead you to harmful behaviors. Other options may include: interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Each one of them is the best treatment for depression depending on the needs of the patient.
Read More: Understanding How Depression Can Cause ADHD-like Symptoms- An Informative Guide
Psychiatric Medication Management
Different medication plans are available for treating symptoms of depression. The medication used for treating depression is usually similar across the types of depression. They typically include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Most people won’t notice the effect of medication on their depressive symptoms right away. Usually, the medicine does not show any relief in the first two weeks. So these SSRIs and SNRIs can also be used for the treatment of double depression.
Self-Care Treatment
Lifestyle modifications related to self-care may also help you manage symptoms of double depression. The self-care activities that need to be done include adjusting your eating plan, increasing daily exercise, getting more sunlight, and engaging in stress management strategies like meditation, yoga, etc.
Double Depression Treatment at Inland Empire Behavioral Group
At Inland Empire Behavioral Group, we provide treatment for all types of depression including double depression. Whether you want clinical services or telehealth services, we offer multiple solutions prioritizing your health and well-being. Our expert team conducts a thorough evaluation and provides the solution whether it is medication, psychotherapy, or routine modifications.
Read More: Is Crying In Your Sleep A Sign Of Depression?
Final Thoughts
Double depression is not diagnosed as a single disease but with the combination for the diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder. Its symptoms include low self-esteem, loss of interest, and lack of concentration. It can be treated with medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. The best method to treat is a combination of medication and therapy.
