One study found that participants in a 3-month Tai Chi intervention had lower scores on five depressive symptoms measures even when the the study adjusted for age, gender and education.1
Another study found that 66 participants reported less tension, anger, fatigue, confusion, anxiety and general depression as well as felt more vigorous and less moody after practicing Tai Chi.2
Additionally, Tai Chi has been shown to physiologically improve participants' health. One study found that after 12 months of practicing Tai Chi, participating seniors increased muscle strength and flexibility.3 Even without the moving meditation component, the physical fitness aspect of Tai Chi can beneficially effect depressed individuals as simply a form of exercise.
Read more on Depression and Exercise
More funding for the research of Tai Chi as an effective treatment to depression is needed, but clearly warranted.
1 Charney, D.S & Delgado, P.L. (1992). Current concepts of serotonin neuronal function and the pathophysiology of depression. Experimental Approaches to Anxiety and Depression. San Antonio: Wiley.
2 DeBaffista, C. (1997). Medical Management of Depression. Durant: EMIS, Inc.
3 Moncrieff, J., Wessely S., & Hardy R. (2008). Active placebos versus antidepressants for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003012. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003012.pub2
4 Biggs, J.T., Spiker D.C., Petit J.M. et al. (1977). Tricyclic Antidepressant overdose: Incidence and Symptoms. Journal of the American Medical Association, 238.
5 Micó J., Ardid D., Berrocoso E., & Eschalier A. (2006). Antidepressants and pain. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 27(7).
6 Depression Handbook, National Institute of Mental Health, 2008
7 Alpert, M., Silvia, R.R. & Pouger, E.R. (2003). Prediction of Treatment REsponse in Geriatric Depression from Baseline Folate Level: Interaction with an SSRO or a Tricyclic Antidepressant. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacol23, 309-313.
8 Preston, J. D., O'Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2005). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
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Depression** can be thought of as most a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
In addition to the 9 most common symptoms of depression (the presence of which help diagnose major depressive disorder), patients with a clinical diagnosis may exhibit any number of additional symptoms. Commonly, people with major depressive disorder also exhibit symptoms of anxiety. Clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders and depression disorders are often present in the same individual with nearly half of those diagnosed with clinical depression also being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.1 However, when anxiety is not a full-blown disorder, it can be seen merely as a symptoms of depression.
Physical symptoms of anxiety include trembling, dizziness, shortness of breath, panic attacks, nausea, chest pain, head aches and racing heartbeat while psychological symptoms include excessive worry, general uneasiness, obsessive compulsive thoughts or behaviors, and paranoia. Anxiety can often occur without a triggering event or perceived threat which causes the person to feel overwhelmed though unprovoked.2
Additional symptoms for both depression and anxiety disorders can be similar (nervousness, irritability, problems sleeping etc.) but as disorders they have separate diagnoses.1
There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, but many people suffer from both simultaneously or concurrently.1
References
Mood disorders are generally grouped into two categories: Major Depressive Disorder (also known as clinical depression) and manic-depressive disorder (also known as bipolar disorder). Major depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge, but an overview of other forms of mood disorders are given below. Each type of depression can have its own set of commonly exhibited symptoms and possible causes; but it is important to remember that each person's depression is unique.
Major Depressive Disorder (also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression or recurrent depressive disorder):This disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Sub-categories include:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Bipolar Disorder (also known as Manic Depressive Disorder):This disorder is marked by both episodes of mania and depression which can happen either independently or in mixed episodes where symptoms of both are present at once. At times, psychotic symptoms can also be present.
Bipolar I Disorder- Marked by at least one manic (marked by abnormally elevated mood, energy or cognition levels) or mixed (manic plus depressive) episode. One or more major depressive episodes may also be present.
Bipolar II Disorder- Marked by at least one hypomanic (highly functioning but not quite manic) and at least one major depressive episode and the depressive episodes are more intense than the manic episodes.
Cyclothymia- Includes mild hypomanic and depressive episodes but is less sever than the bipolar II diagnosis.
Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: These depressive disorders do not reach the depths or intensity seen in major depressive disorder. Nevertheless, although these depressions are low-grade, they tend to be very long-term, often having their onset in late childhood or early adolescence, and potentially lasting a lifetime.
Minor Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)- Is when a person exhibits 2 (instead of the 5 needed for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder) of the 9 symptoms outlined in the Depression Causes section of this site, and that these symptoms are present most days for more than a year. The following signs of depression are among those which might be present: low-grade sadness, irritability, negative thinking, low self-esteem, low energy, decreased capacity to experience pleasure, enthusiasm, or motivation. Unfortunately, people with dysthymia can also suffer from periods of major depression.
Recurrent Brief Depression- Indicates shorter but recurring depressive episodes.
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Depression has a variety of available solutions. This page contains solutions that have shown some level of effectiveness in patients but may not be used as widely as solutions that have been outlined in the other sections.
More on Depression and Music Therapy
Depression and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy indicates the effects (via inhalation, olfaction and dermal application) of essential oils on the psychological, physiological and pharmacological health of any patient.2 Though further methodologically sound research is needed, aromatherapy is considered by many to be a potentially effective treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders including depression.
More on Depression and Aromatherapy
