Approximately 6.7 percent of American adults [1] experienced clinical depression [2] in 2015. If you or a loved one has suffered from depression [3], it probably won't come as a surprise to you that it's the leading cause of disabilities [4] in people between the ages of 15 and 44.
The illness can be so debilitating and exhausting that the most basic activities, like taking a shower or cooking a meal, feel like a herculean effort. When you're in the throes of a major depressive episode, it can feel as though the pain will never end — but is there a cure for depression?
According to experts, the condition is treatable but not curable. Dr. Steve Levine, board-certified psychiatrist and founder and CEO of Actify Neurotherapies [5], explained that identifying the root causes of certain diseases has led to the discovery of cures. For example, tuberculosis is caused by tubercle bacillus and syphilis is caused by treponema pallidum. In both cases, antibiotics are the cure. Psychiatric illnesses are often a different story.
"In psychiatry, most of our diagnoses, including depression, are syndromes — collections of symptoms that tend to go together, but lacking a fully understood cause," Levine explained. "Without a known cause, the best we can do is relieve symptoms, and cures remain elusive."
Rob Cole, LMHC, clinical director of mental health services at Banyan Treatment Center [6], told POPSUGAR that although depression can't be cured by modern science at this time, the condition can be managed and a patient's quality of life can be greatly improved by making lifestyle changes. In addition to treatment that often includes therapy and medication, Cole said the following lifestyle adjustments can help ease the symptoms of depression:
- Establish a routine. Cole explained that establishing a consistent sleep pattern, along with exercising and eating your meals at the same time each day, is crucial for people suffering from depression.
- Set goals. "When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. Set short-term, realistic goals before you set long-term goals," Cole said. "This will give you a sense of accomplishment and improve your mental outlook."
- Exercise. Elle Woods was apparently onto something with that whole "endorphins make you happy" theory. Cole told POPSUGAR that aerobic exercise can help provide "feel-good chemicals" for the brain. He recommended exercising three to four times per week for an hour each time.
- Eat healthy. "Consuming a diet that is balanced, rich in healthy fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in a Mediterranean diet, can assist with healthy brain function," Cole explained.
- Get enough sleep. Cole told POPSUGAR that studies have shown getting seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night is "essential in minimizing the effects of depression." He also noted that sleeping too much (which is often tempting when you're coping with depression) can be counterproductive to managing your symptoms.
- Remove toxic people from your life. "Surround yourself with people who are positive and have a healthy outlook on life," Cole advised.
Although there's currently no cure for depression, it's important to remember that the illness is treatable and a diagnosis of depression doesn't equal a life sentence of despair, pain, and loneliness. Therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and a strong support network can make a world of difference, and people with depression are fully capable of leading fulfilling lives and enjoying the opportunities the world has to offer.