Depression is a part of life. People will inevitably have profound sadness at some point in their lives. But these instances of profound sadness are meant to pass. They’re not meant to linger. If these moments do linger, then a person may have a mental health condition that will require professional intervention.
For some people, depression can become their default state of being. This can lead to difficulties, such as a lack of motivation to engage in daily life. Not all depression is the same, and it can be classified in multiple ways.
One way to classify depression is by the form of depression a person has. This can be classified by a person’s specific symptoms and their intensity. Another way to classify depression is by what causes it.
What is Endogenous Depression?
Endogenous depression is a form of Major Depressive Disorder or MDD. It’s rarely diagnosed as endogenous depression and is generally diagnosed as MDD or clinical depression.
This type of depression has no apparent external cause. In this form of depression, the cause of a person’s depression is internal, likely due to genetic and biological factors. Mental health disorders such as depression can often be passed down in families.
How Does Endogenous Depression Differ from Exogenous Depression?
The difference between endogenous and exogenous depression is that with exogenous depression, the cause is external. In a lot of cases, a person goes through something that triggers their depression. They may lose a loved one, end a romantic relationship, or they may go through a stressful or traumatic event.
The point is that there is an external stress or trauma that can be looked at as the culprit behind a person’s depressive mood and behavior.
What Are the Symptoms of Endogenous Depression?
The symptoms of endogenous depression may be similar to other depression symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
Persistent Sadness
A hallmark of depression is a persistent and unexplainable feeling of sadness. People who have depression will often have a low mood and feel hopeless for no discernible reason.
Lack of Motivation
Another symptom of depression is that a person may feel unmotivated. They may not want to do anything. This doesn’t just mean not wanting to do things like go to work but also things like laundry, cooking food, or even engaging in hobbies.
Physical Health Decline
Depression can often cause a decline in physical health. Many people who have depression may neglect eating. Furthermore, it can lead to poor sleep, which can worsen mental health symptoms and cause a decline in overall health.
Social Isolation
Having depressive symptoms can also lead to social isolation. Some people may be aware of their disorder and may feel as if their presence will only burden other people. The aforementioned lack of motivation may also make going out and socializing with others difficult for them.
Cognitive Problems
People with depression often have cognitive problems. This means that symptoms often interfere with their decision-making abilities, and they may have trouble concentrating. This is sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog.’
Suicidal Ideation
In cases of major depression, a person can have suicidal thoughts and they may even attempt. In worst-case scenarios, the attempts are successful.
How Is Endogenous Depression Diagnosed?
Getting a depression diagnosis will require going to a mental health professional and going through a thorough assessment. This will include a clinical interview using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition or the DSM-5.
There may also be a thorough medical evaluation to rule out any other conditions causing symptoms. They’ll also be evaluated to rule out mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms to depression, such as bipolar disorder.
Treatments
There are treatment options that mental health professionals can use to treat mood disorders such as depression. A person can find healthy ways to manage their symptoms through medication and interpersonal therapy. Some of the aspects of an effective treatment plan include:
Medication
Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have proven to be quite effective at helping people manage the symptoms of depression.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapies, aka CBT, can help people with depression by assisting them in identifying and changing the negative beliefs and thought patterns that may contribute to their symptoms. Behavioral therapies can be used in both individual and group settings.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is an important aspect of treatment for depression. It can offer a person a safe space to explore feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Group Therapy
As previously mentioned, depression can be socially isolating. Group therapy can be used to help people find a community of people who have had similar struggles with their mental health issues.
Lifestyle Changes
Depression symptoms can be treated with lifestyle changes. These changes can include getting enough exercise, eating a balanced meal, and practicing good sleep hygiene. These lifestyle changes can be conducive to overall health and wellness.
Addiction and Depression
Depression and addiction can often co-occur in a person. Many people can use drugs, alcohol, or an addictive behavior to manage feelings of depression. Because of this, untreated depression can lead to a substance use disorder or a behavioral addiction.
Addiction, whether to a substance or a behavior, can also worsen the symptoms that a person has, especially when they go through withdrawal. In some cases, addiction can cause a person to develop depressive symptoms.
Because of the way mental health conditions like depression and addiction can be interconnected.
Don’t be Defined by Any Depression
Depression affects various aspects of a person’s life. It affects millions of people in the United States. However, while it affects many people, many can manage their symptoms and live full, happy lives.
Luxe Recovery is a world-class treatment center located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. In our center, we help people find a path to recover from substance use, mental health troubles, and process addictions.
