Endogenous and Exogenous Depression Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Endogenous and Exogenous Depression Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment Depression Types Print An Overview of Endogenous and Exogenous Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 07, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 07, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Jamie Grill / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment View All Psychiatrists and researchers once categorized depression using a pair of terms derived from Latin: endogenous (meaning from within”) and exogenous (from without). These names were intended to indicate whether someone’s depression came from internal causes (such as genetics) or external causes (like a stressful or traumatic event). The old belief was that the distinction was necessary and that each type of depression had to be treated differently.?? Over the last few decades, however, research has not provided sufficient evidence in support of this theory. Today, depression formerly referred to as “endogenous” is known as major depressive disorder (MDD). The current philosophy is that the same types of treatment can be used for MDD whether it is endogenous or exogenous. However, it can still be helpful for healthcare and mental health professionals to note the differences between endogenous and exogenous causes of major depression when helping people understand the condition.??   The Most Common Types of Depression Symptoms There is considerable overlap in depression symptoms from one type to another.?? A key difference (particularly when discussing endogenous or exogenous types) can be the cause or trigger for an episode of depression rather than specific symptoms. Verywell / Joshua Seong Endogenous Depression Symptoms of endogenous depression include feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt, and an inability to enjoy normally pleasurable things.?? You may also notice changes in your appetite, sleep patterns, and energy levels.   If you have endogenous depression, the world may seem like a dark and sad place because thats how you feel within yourself. Exogenous Depression Exogenous depression can look and feel much like endogenous depression.?? The difference is that these symptoms come on after something happens in a persons life. For example, a person may feel persistently sad after the death of a loved one or struggle with guilt and feelings of worthlessness after losing their job. Exogenous depression can make the world seem dark and sad because of whats happening around you rather than in you. Another difference is that people with exogenous depression dont always have the physical symptoms of depression, like having trouble sleeping or change in appetite, which is common in other forms of the condition. Causes Whether depression is endogenous or exogenous, it’s almost always triggered by a life stressor. In someone who is prone to depression due to a genetic or biochemical predisposition, a significant change, life event, or trauma can serve as a trigger that causes them to develop symptoms.   Endogenous Depression People with endogenous depression often feel that their symptoms occur “for no reason”â€"at least in the sense that there is no apparent external cause. Instead, the cause is thought to be biochemical and/or genetic.?? For example, a person with a family history of mental illness may be more likely to develop depression. Can You Be Depressed for No Reason? Exogenous Depression Exogenous (or reactive) depression is triggered by an outside stressor such as the loss of a loved one, getting divorced, or losing your job.?? People who experience or witness a traumatic event may develop depression as a direct result of that exposure.   While someone with endogenous depression had an underlying predisposition that was triggered, exogenous causes can lead to symptoms of depression in someone who doesn’t have a predisposition.   How Life Stressors Can Lead to Depression Diagnosis Medical and mental health professionals use a specific set of criteria to diagnose depression. These guidelines are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Your doctor may evaluate you for depression in the office, but they might also want you to see someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, such as a psychiatrist.   Whether depression is endogenous or exogenous may be determined when your doctor is asking you questions about your symptoms.For example, if you began feeling depressed after the loss of a loved one, there is a good chance your depression is reactive (exogenous).If you have experienced symptoms of depression for many years that werent triggered by a specific event, its more likely your depression is endogenous.Your provider may give you an overall diagnosis of depression rather than specifying one or the other. The process of being diagnosed with depression usually involves several key components. It often begins with you being asked questions about how you feel physically and emotionally, what your day-to-day life is like, and whether anyone in your family has a mental health condition.   Is Depression Genetic? You will also be asked questions about your diet and lifestyle, social activities, what you do for work, and any medications that you take or substances that you use. Your provider will want to know if you have people in your life you can turn to for support and whether you have been struggling to go to school, work, or participate in social activities. One of the most important questions you will be asked is whether you have ever had suicidal thoughts or attempted suicideâ€"a potential consequence of untreated depression.   DSM-5 Depression Diagnosis Major depressive disorder  (MDD) is diagnosed when someone has experienced intense sadness and/or loss of interest in their usual activities plus several other symptoms of depression (such as trouble sleeping, change in appetite or weight, and difficulty concentrating) for at least two weeks. After your discussion, your healthcare provider will carefully consider your answers and compare them to the diagnostic criteria for depression. They may ask another professional or specialist for their opinion (a consultation) or have you see another provider for further assessment. Once a diagnosis is established, the providers in charge of your care will begin working on a treatment plan. Keep in mind that the most effective treatment for you won’t necessarily be the same as what works for someone else with depression, and you may need to try more than one treatment. Sometimes, your diagnosis might change. If you don’t respond well to a treatment that usually works for depression, for instance, your doctor might want to reevaluate your symptoms to see if you have another mental illness, such as bipolar disorder. While the process of getting a diagnosis of any form of depression can take time, it is well worth it to ensure the diagnosis is accurate. Having the correct diagnosis will make it much more likely that you will find an effective treatment. How Depression Is Diagnosed Treatment In 2012, a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry suggested that the root cause of exogenous and endogenous depression could be found in different pathways in the brain.??   However, researchers have yet to prove that the two types respond differently to specific treatments for depression, such as medication.   Though they are instigated in different ways, both exogenous and endogenous depression ultimately lead to a biochemical imbalance in the brain. Therefore, a treatment that addresses an imbalance can be used for either type.   The first-line treatment for depression of either type is usually antidepressant medication.?? Drugs from a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first choice, as they are consistently effective and well-tolerated. Medications are often paired with psychotherapy, which is more effective for some people than using only an antidepressant. People with severe or treatment-resistant depression may need other interventions to effectively manage their symptoms, such as antipsychotic medications and/or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The unique qualities of all types of depression are still being researched. As new information is learned and discovered, in the future, treatments may emerge that can help manage various forms of depression in different or more targeted ways. For now, it’s best to discuss your symptoms, family health history, and risk factors with your doctor or a mental health professional to determine the best treatment. The Best Online Therapy Programs