Have you ever used the phrase “I’m depressed” or heard someone around you say it? Depression has become the disease of the 21st century, more and more people are affected and in the absence of treatment it can leave deep scars. From the following material you can find out useful things about this pathology.
Article medically reviewed by Dr. Adriana-Valentina Șeicăreanu – resident psychiatrist
Contents
- 1
- 2 1. What is depression?
- 3 2. How does it manifest?
- 4 3. Causes of depression
- 5 4. Symptoms of depression
- 6 4.1 8 physical symptoms of depression
- 7
- 8 4.2 Symptoms of depression in women
- 9 4.3 Symptoms of depression in men
- 10 4.4 Symptoms of severe depression
- 11 4.5 Symptoms of chronic depression
- 12 4.6 Symptoms of postnatal depression
- 13 4.7 Symptoms of bipolar depression
- 14 4.8 Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents
- 15 5. How long do the symptoms of depression last?
- 16 6. Depression treatment
- 17 6.1 Can depression be cured without treatment?
- 18 6.2 Psychotherapy and complementary therapies
- 19 6.3 Medication treatment
- 20 6.4 Natural treatment
- 21 6.5 Homeopathic treatment
- 22 7. Tips for preventing depression
1. What is depression?
Depression is a mental illness that manifests itself in a state of sadness and lack of enjoyment that lasts for more than 2 weeks and determines the inability to carry out daily activities. It falls into the class of mood disorders and may have different intensities depending on the person.
2. How does it manifest?
Manifestations may vary from person to person, the most common being:
- Sad or depressed mood, feeling that “your ships have drowned”
- Loss of pleasure or interest in certain activities you used to enjoy
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of motivation
- Significant weight loss or gain unrelated to any diet
- Sleep disorders
- Agitation or restlessness
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of devaluation or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of death
3. Causes of depression
Some people are more prone to depression than others and the causes are not known exactly. There are several factors that can lead to depression:
- the appearance of abnormal levels of substances in the blood, urine or brain
- hormonal disorders: increased cortisol secretion, decreased release of the hormones TSH, LH, FSH and testosterone, low levels of serotonin and dopamine
- genetics, the likelihood of being affected by depression increases if you have relatives with this condition
- anatomy of the brain, limbic system implications, hypothalamus or basal nuclei
- symbolic or real loss of a loved one, it seems that the loss of a parent before the age of 11 leads to the subsequent onset of depression
- personality
- stressful or traumatic life events
- substance use (alcohol, drugs, etc.)
- certain diseases or medications
4. Symptoms of depression
The symptoms of this condition can vary from person to person and it is not necessary to meet them all at once. Depression can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the intensity of the manifestations and the impact that the disease has on daily life.
4.1 8 physical symptoms of depression
These physical symptoms are not specific, they can be found both in depression and in other conditions, you need to consult a doctor to find out their cause.
- Sleep disorders
- Chest pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headache
- Back pain
- Digestive disorders – diarrhea, constipation, nausea, indigestion
- Appetite disorders
- Sexual disorders
4.2 Symptoms of depression in women
Both men and women may suffer from depression, but their willingness to talk about it may vary.
Depression occurs more often in women than in men, but no clear difference has been identified between the two sexes when it comes to symptoms, disease progression or therapeutic response. In women’s case, there is a higher risk of suicide attempts, but the risk of achievement is lower than in men’s.
Women may experience irritability, anxiety, sadness, or emotional lability, difficulty concentrating, and decreased sexual appetite.
4.3 Symptoms of depression in men
In men with depression an irritable mood can be noticed, they are angry and can become aggressive. Fatigue occurs, it seems that sleep disorders are more pronounced. They lose interest in work and family, avoid any activity. They use alcohol or drugs more often than women to cope with the symptoms. Physical symptoms will cause a man to consult a doctor, rather than emotional and mental symptoms.
4.4 Symptoms of severe depression
The following symptoms may indicate that you are suffering from a severe form of depression:
- Excessive sleep or insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of pleasure
- Despair
- Persistent thoughts that something bad might happen
- Thoughts of death, ideas or suicide attempts
- Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations or illusions), in extremely severe cases
- Neglecting oneself
4.5 Symptoms of chronic depression
Symptoms of depression last for at least 2 years, usually not as severe, but may interfere with daily life to some extent. The severity of the symptoms can change, diminish, then worsen again, and sometimes “double depression” can occur like grafting a major depressive episode over chronic depression.
4.6 Symptoms of postnatal depression
The symptoms are largely similar to those of a common depression in any other stage of life. In addition, the following may appear:
- Feelings that you can’t take care of your child and that you don’t create a connection with him
- Worries, panic attacks, phobias, excessive concerns about the child’s health
- Thoughts of suicide or child harm
4.7 Symptoms of bipolar depression
Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant mood swings, you may experience both depressive and manic episodes. The manifestations of depression in bipolar disorder are similar to those described above in this material.
4.8 Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents
In children and adolescents, the symptoms are similar to those of adults, but there may be some differences. In younger children there are: sadness, irritability, worry, pain, crying, refusal to go to school, insomnia, nightmares or weight loss. Adolescents show: sadness, irritability, negative feelings, devaluation, anger, poor performance or dropping out of school, hypersensitivity, drug or alcohol use, self-harm, loss of interest in daily activities and avoidance of social interaction.
5. How long do the symptoms of depression last?
For the diagnosis of depression to be accurate, the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks and represent a change from your previous functioning.
Chronic depression occurs when the manifestations last 2 years or more.
6. Depression treatment
6.1 Can depression be cured without treatment?
The answer to this question is quite complicated and depends on the intensity and persistence of the symptoms. Depression is a serious condition that in general does not go away on its own, left untreated can have serious repercussions on your health. In case of mild forms, it is possible to intervene without pharmacological treatment and the results are good, however, if you face severe depression, you will most likely need medication and even hospitalization.
6.2 Psychotherapy and complementary therapies
Psychotherapy
Cognitive therapy – short-term treatment, explores and corrects negative thoughts and underlying ideas
Behavioral therapy – is based on the theory of learning, is generally short-term and highly structured, aims to correct negative behaviors
Interpersonal therapy – was developed as a short-term treatment that focuses on current issues
Psychoanalysis – therapy for an indefinite period, which aims to understand the conflicts and unconscious assumptions that lead to depression
Supportive psychotherapy – therapy of indefinite duration, indicated especially in the acute episode, aimed at providing emotional support.
Group therapy – therapy that aims at social interaction and correction by other members of the group of negative thoughts and behaviors. It is not indicated in the acute episode in people who attempt suicide.
Family therapy – this type of therapy is indicated when depression is related to family problems or when depression of one family member affects others.
Complementary therapies
- Brain Stimulation Therapy (electroconvulsive) – is used in patients with depression in whom no other treatment has been effective. It is performed under anesthesia and involves electrical stimulation of the brain 2-3 times a week for 6-12 weeks.
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Music Therapy
- Chiropractic treatments
- Hypnosis
- Massage
- Meditation
- Relaxation
- Yoga
6.3 Medication treatment
Antidepressants are used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs / SSRIs) are those used primarily in the treatment of depression due to their safety, efficacy, and tolerability. Other classes of effective antidepressants are tricyclic, tetracyclic, and other mixed reuptake inhibitors.
Their effect begins to appear in 2 to 4 weeks, you need to be patient and not abruptly stop treatment. Usually, for the complete remission of symptoms it is necessary to administer for a longer period, from 6 months to 12 months or even more, depending on the severity. It is important to follow the prescription and not stop treatment for no reason. If you notice side effects, talk to your doctor. Sometimes you need to try several medications until you find the one that works for you.
In the management of severe depression, psychotherapy combined with drug treatment is more effective than any of these treatments applied separately.
6.4 Natural treatment
For mild forms of depression, certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other compounds may be helpful in relieving symptoms:
- Rhodiola
- Saffron
- Ginkgo biloba
- Vitamin D, B complex
- Zinc, Magnesium
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
However, dietary supplements are not monitored like medicine, and the benefits and side effects are not fully known, so it is advisable to document and talk to a doctor before starting treatment.
6.5 Homeopathic treatment
There is little research on homeopathic treatment, but the effectiveness is comparable to some drugs and superior to placebo. Patients involved in certain studies or uncontrolled surveys have seen improvements in symptoms following homeopathic treatment. However, further studies would be needed to determine with certainty the impact of this treatment option.
7. Tips for preventing depression
Here are some tips that may be helpful in preventing depression and relapse:
- Exercise regularly: exercise is known to improve mood and help maintain physical and mental health.
- Try to reduce time on social media: overuse can lead to depression, low self-esteem and addiction
- Spend time with family and friends
- Simplify things, don’t complicate things: the more choices you have to make, the greater the pressure on you, stress increases and so does the risk of depression. Try to make decisions one by one and plan your time.
- Try to have a balanced life, sleep more, eat healthier and take care of your weight
- Avoid negative social interactions
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine and drugs
- Try to do activities that you enjoy and that relax you
- Follow your treatment plan to avoid another depressive episode
