Double depression is a combination of dysthymia and major depression, and includes feelings of extreme hopelessness and isolation. Hopelessness is one of many signs of regular depression, but psychology professor Thomas Joiner of Florida State University identified extreme hopelessness as a key factor in double depression.
What is Double Depression?
According to Science Daily, "Double depression occurs when an individual who suffers from dysthymia, a persistent case of mild depression marked by low energy, falls into a major depressive state."
Psychologists aren't as familiar with double depression as they are with dysthymia or mild-to-moderate depression. Joiner's research could help psychologists, psychiatrists, and other therapists diagnose and treat double depression.
Double Depression is More Difficult to Treat
"[Double depression] is clinically important because it is under-recognized and harder to treat than either dysthymia or major depression themselves," says Joiner. "The hopelessness result is significant, and it suggests that therapists should especially focus on this feature early and often in the treatment of double-depressed patients."
When psychologists or other therapists don't recognize double depression, they have a hard time treating it. Depression itself is highly treatable especially with the right combination of therapies (lifestyle, counseling, nutrition, sleep, medication).
Double Depression: Coping With Feelings of Hopelessness
Helping depressed people is difficult because they've given up. Depressed people feel bleak – it's them against the world and they don't have the energy to fight. Double-depressed individuals' feelings of hopelessness are magnified, making treatment even more difficult. They don't feel like they're in control, nor do they have the will to take their power back.
Other signs of depression include low self-esteem, persistent feelings of sadness, changes in sleeping and eating habits, withdrawal from friends and family, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Treatments for Double Depression
Feeling as if you belong is huge in overcoming depressive states, whether it's dysthymia or double depression. Having a strong social support system is one of the key factors in overcoming depression – and that doesn't mean having lots of friends or a huge supportive family. Feeling as if you belong simply means knowing what your place is in your community, home, workplace, family or city.
The best treatment for depression is the standard "see your doctor." Exactly how you'll get better depends on the factors leading up to your depression (a loss, illness, new baby, etc). You may simply need to change your diet or increase the amount of sunlight you get – or you may need more in-depth treatment like antidepressants or weekly counseling sessions.
If you found Dealing With Double Depression helpful, you might be interested in:
- Natural Treatments for Depression
- Physical Signs of Depression
- Antidepressant Myths and Realities
- Signs and Treatments of Seasonal Affective Disorder
