With the onset of gloomy and rainy weather, most people experience a decrease in mood, and also develop a feeling of apathy, fatigue and depression, which are mistakenly perceived as manifestations of depression. But in psychology, such a concept as "Depression" has a somewhat different definition, and is a much more serious problem than a bad mood due to a change in the weather and insomnia. So, what is a depressive state, what are the main symptoms of depression and why it can be a life-threatening disease, we will tell further.
What is a depressive state?
So, from a medical point of view, a depressive state is a mental disorder, the development of which leads to a prolonged, at least two weeks, stay in a state of depression, constant fatigue, loss of interest in usual activities that used to bring pleasure, and a decrease in self-esteem. Depressive disorder, in addition to mental health, also affects physical and emotional well-being, as well as negatively affects a person's life and social relationships. So what is depression? Depressive disorder or clinical depression is a multifactorial and multisymptom mental disorder that literally affects all aspects of a person's life.
Types of depression and its stages
Depression is a rather insidious and serious disease that can manifest itself in various forms and last for a long time. The insidiousness of this disorder is also manifested in the fact that both for people with depression and for their loved ones, the disease is not perceived as something serious enough. The reason for this is various types of depression, namely:
Depressive episodes
The most common type of depression, which lasts from two weeks to one year. They are also called unipolar, because in most cases they are observed once in a lifetime and are accompanied by a slight loss of working capacity and manifestations of bad mood.
Periodic depressive disorder
Depressive syndrome, classic or clinical depression differs from unipolar depression by frequent recurrence of episodes that alternate with remission. There are recorded cases of depression in children or adolescents, lasting from several months to a year. Such depression can lead to a child's inability to work.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder is a chronic, but less pronounced type of depression, the symptoms of which, although less intense, persist for two or more years. And in the absence of treatment leads to depression of the double type.
Bipolar depression of the 1st type
This form is also called manic-depressive psychosis and is characterized by alternating phases of depression with remission and manic phases. During the last phase, the person is hyperactive and has a good mood, but at the same time feels anxious, complains of sleep problems and loses the ability to think critically. The result is relapse and bipolar disorders.
Bipolar depression of the II type
Bipolar depression of the II-th type in its manifestations and symptoms is similar to the depression of the I-th type, but the patient remains depressed mood or loss of interest in the external environment. Plus - during remission, people with depression have the illusion of complete recovery.
Depressive psychotic episode
This is a severe form of depression, which is accompanied by symptoms of mental disorders, in particular, hallucinations, delirium, and the patient increasingly has thoughts of death or suicide. In such cases, the patient needs hospitalization.
Atypical depression
Atypical depression is a mild form of the disorder, during which a person has a significant improvement in mood in response to positive events, but general depression, increased anxiety, constant fatigue and drowsiness remain. Also, this type of depression is often accompanied by breakdowns and panic attacks.
Postpartum depression
It develops in women after childbirth. Depression occurs during the first few weeks or months after childbirth and is characterized by emotional, physical and behavioral changes that negatively affect the mother's ability to care for herself and the baby.
Seasonal depression
Seasonal affective disorder occurs when the weather changes and usually manifests itself in the fall or winter. When the season changes, the symptoms of depression go away on their own.
In addition to types, conditional stages of the disorder are also distinguished. Conventional, because official medicine practically does not use the term "stage depression", since the disease can take different forms and with different symptoms. And according to how depression manifests itself, mild, medium and severe stages of depression are distinguished.
How depression manifests itself: main symptoms and signs
Depending on the form in which depression occurs, the symptoms of the disorder are divided into the following groups:
- Emotional - depressed mood, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, obsessive thoughts about death, suicide attempts.
- Physiological - cognitive and psychomotor dysfunctions, thyroid gland dysfunction, increased fatigue and a constant feeling of fatigue, decreased sex drive, loss of interest and satisfaction in favorite activities, sleep disturbances, loss or increase in appetite, decrease or vice versa, weight gain, constant pain and body ache.
- Behavioral - manifested in increased nervousness and constant tension, irritability, rapid mood swings, when a bad mood changes to a happy one for no reason or a feeling of sadness and tearfulness suddenly appears, as well as a refusal to socialize, a tendency to solitude, a passion for alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs substances
- Mental - decreased ability to think and make decisions, inability to concentrate, pessimism and focus on negative factors.
The main causes of depression
There is currently no single and correct answer to the question: why depression occurs. After all, a number of social, psychological and biological factors can contribute to the development of depression in each person. Yes, depression occurs against the background of problems at work or after dismissal, at the loss of a loved one or during a divorce. Depression can also occur after suffering a psychological trauma or a severe stressful event. People with a passive life position, as well as those who suffer from increased anxiety and frequent mental disorders fall into the risk group of developing a depressive state.
Doctors also agree that other concomitant factors and causes of depression can cause the development of depressive states, including:
- age - most often the first symptoms of depression appear in children aged 14 and over;
- gender - depressive states develop more often in women than in men;
- chronic or serious illnesses – for example, thyroid disease, stroke or suspected cancer;
- social factors - in some cases, depression can be caused by alcohol or drug addiction;
- heredity - the presence of depression in one of the parents is a key reason for the development of depressive conditions in their children.
The problem is self-diagnosis of depression
Self-diagnosis and treatment of any disease is a wrong decision. Self-diagnosis of depression and treatment of depression, regardless of stage and course, are not excluded. Because quite a few people don't know what depression is and often confuse it with temporary mood swings, stress and fatigue. Because of this, people who suffer from depression may ignore important signals, believing that it is just a temporary condition that does not need treatment.
A major problem with self-diagnosis is that depression has many symptoms that are quite similar to other mental or physical disorders. For example, depression, low mood and loss of energy can also be manifestations of anxiety disorders or chronic physiological diseases. That is why it is important to seek help from qualified specialists who will establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
Why you shouldn't ignore depression and why you should turn to specialists
Ignoring symptoms and refusing to treat depression has quite serious and difficult consequences for the health of each person, including the development of additional side diseases, eating disorders, the appearance of phobias, loss of social contacts and even thoughts of death. After all, each subsequent relapse occurs more often and leads to depression of a prolonged or incurable nature.
Trends in the growth of depression according to statistics
According to the World Health Organization, as of March 2023, about 300 million people in the world suffer from depression. Statistics also indicate that more than 10% of these people are pregnant women or mothers who have just given birth. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in recent years, depressive disorders are diagnosed much more often than among residents of any other country in the world. And every year these indicators only grow.
What to do with symptoms of depression?
If you are experiencing depression, do not delay, but contact a professional psychologist for help. Also with manifestations of depression:
- share your experiences and fears with a loved one;
- continue to do your favorite things;
- avoid self-isolation;
- add exercise and sports to your usual lifestyle;
- go on a little trip to recharge.
You can distract yourself from the thoughts that trigger you in the Carpathians, namely in the best hotel complex in Skhidnytsia "Kyivska Rus". On the territory of the hotel complex, except for the modern one SPA center the "Kyivska Rus" medical center also operates, where experienced psychologists work, who will help you and offer effective ways of treatment. In addition, our spa center offers a variety of relaxing Take care of your health with us!
How to support a person with depression?
Supporting someone with depression requires patience and understanding. It is important to show the patient that you are ready to help him, to listen without prejudice and judgment, and also to offer your help. You can help and support in the following ways:
- offer to go to a doctor's consultation together, but note that in case of symptoms of depression, it is better to contact a psychologist, not a family doctor;
- help to return to the usual way of life and help with everyday tasks;
- encourage physical activity and social life;
- promote concentration on positive emotions and affairs.
IN Medical Center "Kyivska Rus", which is in Skhidnytsia, employs a qualified psychologist who will help cure depression. In addition, our wellness complex offers conditions for relaxation and restoration of emotional balance, which will become an important part of recovery.
Treatment of depression
It is possible to cure depression, the main thing is to consult a professional doctor in time, who will correctly choose the optimal method. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the form of the disorder and is carried out with the help of psychotherapeutic and medicinal methods, as well as lifestyle changes. Also, for the treatment of depression, such auxiliary methods as: art therapy, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, magnetotherapy and meditation are used. An individual course of treatment is selected for each patient.
Relapse of depression
One of the most insidious features of depression is that even after effective treatment, the illness can return. In addition, people who have suffered bouts of depression do not feel the symptoms of this disease as it was the first time. But, having noticed the signs of a relapse of depression in time, a person has a better chance of preventing a second episode.
How to prevent depression?
Prevention of depression is a series of measures aimed at preventing depressive episodes. In particular, doctors advise:
- adhere to the correct sleep regime - at least 8 hours;
- a specific diet with an optimal amount of omega-3 fatty acids;
- physical exercises, sports and walks during the day;
- psychotherapeutic help and drug therapy.