Recurrent Depressive Disorder Treatment

Recurrent Depressive Disorder Symptoms

While some of the more general symptoms for recurrent depressive disorder were covered above, some of the most specific symptoms can include the likes of:

• Panic attack
• Sudden development of irritability/anger
• Frequent avoidance of social activities
• Sudden feelings of guilt over things from the past
• Either poor appetite or overeating
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in previous activities that brought you joy
• General, and consistent, feeling of emptiness or being down

What Are The Causes Of Recurrent Depressive Disorder

There are many different factors that can contribute to an individual being more at risk of developing a recurrent depressive disorder.

Similar to depressive episodes, this complex illness does not have one clear cause, but some of the reasons why someone may present with recurrent depressive disorder include the likes of:

• Brain Chemistry – There are studies that indicate that there may well be a relationship between the abnormal function and levels of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) and the development of a recurrent depressive disorder. Neurotransmitters are involved in a lot of mood stabilisation, so they may be the cause of your disorder.
• Past Life Events – Traumas, such as the loss of a loved one or financial issues, that an individual has suffered in their life may lead to them developing a recurrent depressive disorder — similar to major depressive episodes. The high levels of stress stemming from trauma may be one of the causes contributing to your disorder.
• Biological Causes – It is possible that people who are presenting with this condition have physiological changes in their bring which have led to its development.
• Genetic Factors/Inherited Traits – Recurrent depressive disorder has been shown to be more common in individuals who have blood relatives, particularly first-degree relatives, who have presented with major depressive disorder or other depressive disorders. There is a lot of work being done into locating which genes may be responsible for this, but to no avail as yet due to the extent of research that is needed to be conducted.
• Personality Traits and/or History of Other Mental Health Disorders – Those who are inherently negative are known to be more at risk of succumbing to a clinical diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder and/or major depressive episodes. Furthermore, previous illnesses such as personality disorders can also leave you more at risk of manifesting recurrent depressive disorder.

What Complications Can Recurrent Depressive Disorder Lead To

This disorder can take a heavy toll on all aspects of your day-to-day life, with some of the most commonly documented side effects being the likes of:

• Suicidal thoughts and/or self-sabotaging behaviours
• Difficulty maintaining relationships with family, friends, or romantic partners
• Substance abuse and alcohol can be turned to as a form of “self-medication” to deal with the constant feelings of inadequacy and misery
• School and/or employment prospects can be cut short due to a lack of engagement with the world around you

Finding yourself in the throes of a recurrent depressive disorder can lead you to isolate yourself from those around you.

However, it is important to know that there are always helplines, recovery centres (such as Nova Recovery), and individuals out there who will be willing to provide you with a helping hand through this time.

Finally, with the help of professional medical staff and facilities, it is possible to attend therapies that can minimise the impact that this condition has on your life. With therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and one-to-one counselling, you will be able to realise a more positive outlook and retrain your brain to find joy in things that you once loved. 

At Nova Recovery we offer dual diagnosis programmes which involves drug and alcohol and recurrent depressive disorder treatment. Get in touch to learn more.