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Living with depression
Depression is a common, but serious mood disorder, affecting a person’s thoughts, behavior, and how they feel.
General Health Oscar Health Insurance
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Depression is a common, but serious mood disorder, affecting a person’s thoughts, behavior, and how they feel. Depression differs from feelings of sadness in that it lasts for longer than two weeks and involves symptoms aside from sadness, like trouble sleeping or changes in appetite. There are different types of depression (opens in new tab), but here we’ll focus on the two most common types, Major Depression (Major Depressive Disorder, or depression) and Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD).
We chatted with Charlotte Elkin (opens in new tab), licensed clinical social worker at Oscar, about ways you can cope with depression and how to get help when you need it.
What is Major Depressive Disorder?
Major depressive disorder or major depression is the most common and most severe type of depression. In the US, 8.4% of adults (opens in new tab) (21 million people) suffer from major depression, or clinical depression. Feelings of low self-worth, trouble performing everyday tasks, sadness, sleep problems and changes in appetite lasting for two weeks or longer, are symptoms of major depression (opens in new tab). Suicidal thoughts can also occur with this type of depression.
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)?
PDD is a chronic mild to moderate depression; while it’s not as severe as Major Depression, it is ongoing and lasts for two years or more. PDD is common, and affects each year. include fatigue, lack of concentration, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or isolation.
What causes depression? What can I do to treat my depression?
We don’t know exactly what causes depression (opens in new tab), but brain chemistry, hormones and genetics are factors believed to be involved. Everyone has different brain chemistry and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why you’re suffering, which is why therapy is often an effective form of treatment. If you are struggling with particular stressors such as relationship issues, compromised housing, economic challenges, trauma, or other medical conditions, then you may be more likely to suffer from a mental health issue at some point in your life. The most important thing you can do is stay attuned to how you feel and take action when things seem off-balance.
Signs and symptoms of depression
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, then it might be time to take action and get help:
Joylessness.
Loud inner critic.
Feelings of self-doubt.
Sleep problems, low energy, and exhaustion.
Feelings of anger, irritability, and argumentativeness.
Excessive worry or guilt about the past and future.
Coping strategies like drinking or excessive exercising.
Perfectionism.
Factoring in other health issues
Mental health conditions don’t always travel alone. People who suffer from depression may also be experiencing other mental or physiological health issues like alcoholism (opens in new tab), anxiety, thyroid disorders (opens in new tab), migraines (opens in new tab), or menopause (opens in new tab). A lot of different factors affect your mood, from blood sugar levels to medications and hormones. Managing other health conditions can help you keep your mood in check. If you suffer from another health condition, it’s a good idea to talk with your primary care doctor (opens in new tab) about how it might affect your mood so you can stay on the alert for changes.
Treatment for depression
Depression is not a weakness and is treatable through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. You may find relief through lifestyle adjustments or talking to a professional. Here’s how to get started:
Talk to a professional: Working with a licensed mental health practitioner to pinpoint the cause of your depression, set goals, mourn losses, and analyze your underlying conflict can alleviate your symptoms and help you develop coping mechanisms for now and in the future.
Take medication: Whether you’re suffering from high-functioning depression, anxiety, or a personality disorder, medication is an effective form of treatment. Typically SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa) and SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor and Pristiq) are used in low doses to treat high-functioning depression. Depending on any other health issues, you may need to stay away from certain medications or use a combination to effectively treat your depression. Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment option for you.
Start a self-care practice. Reducing screen time on your devices, exercising, planning social time, limiting alcohol use, and maintaining a consistent schedule of balanced meals and bedtimes can all make a difference in how you feel.
Supporting a loved one with depression
Even if you aren’t personally suffering from depression, you may know someone who is. Being there for a loved one during a time of need isn’t always as easy. Sometimes it’s hard to know how you can help.
Elkin says, "Helping a loved one recognize that they are having an experience of depression regardless of the shade of blue is important. This can lead to them getting help and alleviating symptoms.”
If you’re unsure of how you can support a loved one who is depressed, Elkin recommends taking action in the following ways:
Acknowledge their feelings are real.
Encourage them to seek counseling.
Help them maintain a routine (food, exercise, sleep).
Understand your limits in terms of how much you can do to help them.
Refrain from moral judgment.
Our mental health network
Depending on your plan, there are different options for accessing mental healthcare. Below, we’ve broken up what you can expect if you’re an Oscar member.
Individual and Family Plans (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) & Medicare Advantage
We’ve partnered with Optum to curate our network of mental health doctors and open doors to additional resources for our members. The code for Oscar members is OHP. As a part of your Oscar benefits through Optum, you receive:
Access to a broad network of mental health providers (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists) and facilities, offering a wide range of treatment options.
Provider availability assistance from the Optum team, who will help you find a provider to meet your needs.
Virtual Mental Health Visits: We partner with Doctor On Demand to provide virtual mental health visits; register here (opens in new tab) using your Oscar ID and selecting “Oscar” as the Health Plan option on the drop-down menu. Costs vary based on your plan with Oscar.
Hands-on case management for those with complex mental health issues that require coordination between multiple providers or follow-up care after a hospital stay.
24/7 crisis support. Optum has clinical support staff available around the clock to assist in the event of a mental health crisis. You can reach them at (877)-855-1317.
Cigna Healthcare + Oscar
Cigna Healthcare + Oscar members looking for a new doctor, treatment center, or group, can start by searching on our website or app, or give your Care Team a call. We’ll connect you with a trusted Oscar provider near you that offers mental health services.
Additionally, Cigna Healthcare + Oscar members have access to Talkspace (opens in new tab). Talkspace is the place to go for fast and simple online therapy. Connect with a licensed therapist through private message or video chat to get the support you need from the comfort and privacy of home.
National Hotlines
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, here are the options available to provide immediate crisis and non-crisis counseling and support.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline: (800) 662-4357
The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is phone number: 988
If you or a loved one need immediate crisis support, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free at 988, or chat 988lifeline.org (opens in new tab).
