Disease of the 21st century: how to treat depression

Translated from Latin, depression means “to suppress.” This is a disorder of a psychological nature, expressed by depressed mood, inability to feel joy, and disturbances in thinking (pessimistic tendencies and negative reasoning). Retardation in movements is also observed. Self-esteem decreases and general interest in life is lost. Depression has long become a modern disease, and every year the number of its “victims” is only growing. We’ll talk today about how to deal with this condition and how to identify it.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression has many “faces” of manifestations, which depend on the type and form of the disease. However, it is possible to identify typical signs by which it is diagnosed.

On an emotional level:

• low mood; feeling of despair; oppression; state of melancholy; suffering;
• feeling of anxiety; internal tension; a feeling that something bad is going to happen;
• increased irritability;
• groundless feeling of guilt; unreasonable self-criticism;
• dissatisfaction and self-hatred; lack of confidence; low assessment of one's abilities;
• the ability to experience joy disappears;
• lack of interest in the surrounding world;
• there is an increased feeling of anxiety about your health; hypochondria.

On the physical level:

• constant drowsiness and insomnia;
• loss of appetite;
• constipation;
• decreased libido;
• rapid fatigue even with low mobility;
• various pains in the body (in joints, chest, rapid heartbeat).

Manifestations in behavior:

• lack of determination and complete apathy;
• pronounced asceticism and reluctance to communicate even with the closest people;
• lack of interest in entertainment;
• consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs.

On a mental level:

• difficulty concentrating; inability to concentrate;
• problems in decision making;
• a lot of negative thoughts, especially those against oneself and life in general;
• pessimistic view of the future;
• thoughts of suicide;
• slow thinking;
• feeling of worthlessness and uselessness.

This is only a small fraction of what a depressed person experiences. To be fair, it is worth noting that to make a diagnosis, such symptoms must be observed for at least two to three weeks.

Causes of depression

Depression can occur against the background of deep experiences associated, for example, with the loss of a loved one, status in society, or work.

Depressive states often occur due to a lack of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. As a rule, in this case, antidepressants are ineffective or help very slowly.

Some people develop depression with prolonged absence of sunlight. People living in the north are especially susceptible to this type of disease. The situation becomes especially aggravated in the autumn season.

While taking certain medications, depression can also occur. True, unlike other cases, here depression, as a rule, goes away on its own. It is enough to stop taking the medications and everything will return to normal. But the vital period can last up to 1.5 years.

However, depression does not always need a reason. According to statistics from doctors, sometimes the disease occurs on its own, as if “born” from within. In this way, 35% of cases were identified.

Consequences of depression

The consequences of short-term or long-term, but acute depression manifest themselves in the form of a radical change in character. If before the disease a person was an optimist, then after the disease he may be left with pessimistic views on life, fatigue and diseases of the internal organs.

During treatment, a person can get used to and, as they say, “get hooked” on antidepressants, which will also require treatment. Problems in communication, as well as sexual ones, are possible.

Physiological factors are added to the psychological side of the issue. The most common consequences are: hair loss, brittle nails and brittle bones, changes in skin color (painful pallor), thinness. As a rule, with successful treatment and the return of a normal psychological state, physical symptoms go away on their own.

However, if we are talking about female depression, then the problems that arise in terms of aesthetics can trigger a new round of depression, which can lead to a vicious circle.

As for the pain that a person felt at the time of depression (rapid heartbeat, pain in the joints, chest, etc.), they can accompany him for the rest of his life. But not in actual presence, but as a phantom phenomenon.

In order to minimize the manifestation of the consequences of depression, or even avoid their occurrence altogether, it is very important to cure the disease to the end. You should never skimp on treatment. Find a good specialist who will help identify and eradicate the cause of depression, and also select optimal and effective treatment methods.

Types of depression

There are many types of depression, let's look at some of them.

• Major resistant depression. It is diagnosed when a double course of antidepressant treatment, 14 days each, does not produce any results, or progress is very small.
• Minor depression. A person has at least two symptoms for 2 weeks or more, but the condition does not reach the clinical stage.
• Atypical depression. When a person, in addition to typical symptoms, experiences an excessively increased appetite, weight gain, and drowsiness occurs.
• Postnatal depression is commonly called postpartum depression.
• Transient recurrent depression differs from major depression only in the timing of its course. RBD (recurrent depression) often occurs in attacks, for example once a month and lasts at least 2-3 days, but no longer than 2-3 weeks. To diagnose this type of depression, it is necessary that such ebbs and flows be observed for at least a year. It can be difficult to identify if the patient is a woman, since in the weaker sex “depression” occurs with a change in cycle.
• Dysthymia. A condition characterized by a mild disturbance in mood. Those. a person has, at first glance, a normal condition, but he daily receives complaints about a bad mood. The symptoms that are characteristic of clinical depression are not so pronounced in this case. But sometimes, a person’s condition may worsen, becoming clinical for several days.

This is a small list of types of depression, but it is not definitive. Here are the species that have specific symptoms. At the medical level, others are also recognized that do not have a verbal designation, only a numerical one. Each of them is diagnosed exclusively by a specialist.

In domestic medicine there is such a concept as “vital” depression. In its literal interpretation, “vital” means “vital.” There is a pronounced depressed, melancholy, anxious state, as well as unpleasant pain in the solar plexus. This condition, although it is difficult, is easier to treat than other types.

How to deal with depression

To begin working to eliminate depression, it is important to start looking at everyday life from a different “angle.” Otherwise, the treatment will take a long time.

• Change your attitude towards your daily responsibilities. Realizing your “new” state, do not set yourself obviously impossible tasks. What was previously considered the norm will seem difficult in the current situation, as psychological health is exhausted. Get more rest. Break big things down into small ones and move in small steps.
• Don't try to make big decisions. If such a need nevertheless arises, try to consult with loved ones whom you trust.
• Avoid stress. As a rule, in a depressed state you don’t need much. Any little thing that previously passed calmly can now cause a storm of negative emotions. Of course, you can’t foresee everything, but what is known in advance is best avoided.
• Communicate more with interesting people. Even through “I don’t want”, make contact with friends and family. Spend more time with them, arrange joint outings. Communication will help you forget. It may be hard at first, but over time it will become a habit and everything will return to normal.
• Do something you really enjoy. A depressive state can occur even because a person is doing something he hates, usually work. Think about what you really like and devote your free time to it. What brings joy can become a saving “pill” in this difficult struggle.
• Let sports into your life. Scientists have proven that during exercise, the body releases hormones of happiness - endorphins. Depression slows down the process of their production, and with sports you will force your body to work positively.
• Beware of doing nothing. By staying alone with yourself, you risk making the situation worse. A thought process operating on a negative wave can completely crush you on a psychological level.
• Review your diet. A lack of vitamins can cause depression. Try to saturate your body with useful microelements as fully as possible. In the first couple of years, it may be a good idea to take a course of multivitamins.

How to help someone get out of depression

It is unbearable to watch a loved one “melt” before our eyes. There is an instinctive desire to help, but it is not always clear how. Of course, ideally, a specialist would come to the rescue, but not everyone has the money for this, and the patient himself does not always express a desire for such treatment. We offer some tips to help provide first aid.

• Study the “enemy” as much as possible, i.e. depression. Consult with experts how you can help a person in a difficult situation.
• When communicating with a person, show patience and restraint. Remember the increased vulnerability of his psyche at the current moment.
• Try to explain to the patient that he needs to contact a knowledgeable person who can help him. This process is not easy, but it is necessary.
• Try to involve the person in activities that they enjoy and in which they can relax and unwind. This way he can gradually gain strength.
• If a person has started treatment with antidepressants and psychotherapy, support him, he really needs it.
• Positive changes will not appear immediately during therapy, and do not allow the person to give up and abandon treatment. Again, patience and gentle persistence will be required.
• If possible, take on some of the sick person's responsibilities. Ideally, if you can arrange it for him good vacation so that he is charged with positive emotions. But under no circumstances should you insist on rest; this could give rise to a wave of protest. Turn on wisdom and you will be able to do everything smoothly and efficiently.
• Try to avoid situations in which the patient will need to make difficult decisions. Take this initiative yourself, at least for a while.
• Don’t give a depressed person any reason to feel unwanted.
• Don't try to change situations in one day. Get ready for long-term psychological work, which can last from several months to several years.
• Do not criticize the patient. Try, on the contrary, to encourage, inspire confidence and act only in a positive direction. But in no case allow pretense. A person must feel sincerity, otherwise he will begin to feel like a fool.
• Be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. For example, if a loved one talks about suicide or death. In this case, you cannot leave him alone. Otherwise, all his ideas may come true.

Treating depression at home

Psychotherapists try to make every effort to help the patient, but 90% of success depends on the latter. You need to make every effort to get rid of the problem. It is also worth realizing that the treatment will not last 1-2 days, but for several weeks, at least. Therefore, it is so important to take independent measures that will enhance the effect of therapy.

Start by stopping comparing yourself to other people. Remember, every person is unique, and unique tasks simply cannot be compared. Everyone has both positive and negative sides, and ideals exist only in fantasies; they have no place in reality.

Rest, rest and more rest. Most often, workaholics who have only heard about vacation are prone to depression. Abandon everything for a while and just go to the sea, or look at other beautiful places, of which there are plenty on the planet.

And, of course, seek help from a psychotherapist. Many people find it difficult to accept this situation, believing that their patients are psychopaths, but this is not at all the case. Depression is a complex disease that is almost impossible to cure on your own. And a specialist will help you build an effective healing system that will yield positive results in the near future.