With the onset of gloomy and rainy weather, most people experience a decrease in mood, as well as 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 slightly different definition, and is a much more serious problem than a bad mood due to a change in 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 you further.
What is a depressive state?
So, from a medical point of view, a depressive state is a mental disorder, the development of which is caused by a prolonged, at least two weeks, state of depression, constant fatigue, loss of interest in usual activities that previously brought pleasure, and decreased self-esteem. Depressive disorder, in addition to mental health, also affects physical and emotional well-being, and also negatively affects a person's life and social relationships. So, what is depression? Depressive disorder or clinical depression is a multifactorial and multisymptomatic 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 the different types of depression, namely:
Depressive episodes
The most common type of depression, lasting from two weeks to one year. They are also called unipolar, because in most cases they occur once in a lifetime and are accompanied by minor loss of work capacity and manifestations of bad mood.
Recurrent depressive disorder
Depressive syndrome, classic or clinical depression, differs from unipolar depression by the frequent recurrence of episodes, alternating with remission. There are cases of depression in children or adolescents, lasting from several months to a year. Such depression can lead to the child losing his ability to work.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder, is a chronic but less severe form of depression, the symptoms of which, although less intense, persist for two or more years. If left untreated, it leads to double major depression.
Bipolar I depression
This form is also called manic-depressive psychosis and is characterized by alternating phases of depression with remission and manic phases. During the latter phase, the person is hyperactive and in 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 disorder.
Bipolar II depression
Bipolar II depression is similar in its manifestations and symptoms to type I depression, but the patient remains depressed or loses 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 that is accompanied by symptoms of mental disorders, including hallucinations, delusions, and the patient increasingly has thoughts of death or suicide. In such cases, the patient requires hospitalization.
Atypical depression
Atypical depression is a mild form of the disorder in which a person experiences significant mood improvements in response to positive events, but remains depressed, anxious, and constantly tired and sleepy. It is also often accompanied by mood swings and panic attacks.
Postpartum depression
It develops in women after giving birth. 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 her baby.
Seasonal depression
Seasonal affective disorder occurs during periods of weather change and usually manifests itself in the fall or winter. When the season changes, the symptoms of depression resolve on their own.
In addition to the types, there are also conditional stages of the disorder. Conditional, because in official medicine the term “depression stage” is practically not used, since the disease can occur in different forms and with different symptoms. And according to how depression manifests itself, mild, moderate and severe stages of depression are distinguished.
How depression manifests itself: main symptoms and signs
Depending on the form of depression, the symptoms of the disorder are divided into the following groups:
- Emotional – depressed mood, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or inhibition, obsessive thoughts about death, suicide attempts.
- Physiological – cognitive and psychomotor dysfunctions, thyroid dysfunction, increased fatigue and a constant feeling of fatigue, decreased sexual desire, loss of interest and pleasure in favorite activities, sleep disturbances, loss or increase in appetite, decrease or, conversely, increase in body weight, constant pain and aches in the body.
- Behavioral - manifested in increased nervousness and constant tension, irritability, rapid mood swings, when a bad mood for no reason changes to a joyful one or a feeling of sadness and tearfulness suddenly appears, as well as refusal to socialize, a tendency to solitude, an addiction to alcohol and psychotropic substances.
- Mental – decreased ability to think and make decisions, inability to concentrate, pessimism and focusing on negative factors.
The main causes of depression
There is currently no single and correct answer to the question: why does depression occur? After all, a number of social, psychological and biological factors can contribute to the development of depression in each person. For example, depression occurs against the background of problems at work or after dismissal, when losing a loved one or during a divorce. Depression can also occur when experiencing 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, are also at risk of developing a depressive state.
Doctors also agree that other accompanying factors and causes of depression can also cause the development of depressive states, including:
- age – most often the first symptoms of depression appear in children aged 14 and over;
- gender – women develop depressive states more often than 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 cause of the development of depressive states in their children.
The problem with self-diagnosing depression
Self-diagnosis and treatment of any disease is the wrong decision. Self-diagnosis and treatment of depression, regardless of the stage and course, is no exception. Since quite a few people do not know what depression is, and often confuse it with a temporary deterioration in mood, stress and fatigue. Because of this, people suffering from depression may ignore important signals, believing that this is just a temporary condition that does not require treatment.
The main problem with self-diagnosis is that depression has many symptoms that are quite similar to other mental or physical disorders. For example, feeling down, low mood, and loss of energy can also be symptoms of anxiety disorders or chronic physiological diseases. That is why it is important to seek help from qualified professionals who will establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
Why you shouldn't ignore depression and should seek professional help
Ignoring symptoms and refusing to treat depression has quite serious and severe consequences for the health of every person, including the development of additional side effects, 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 prolonged or incurable depression.
Statistical trends in the rise of depression
According to the World Health Organization, as of March 2023, about 300 million people in the world suffer from depression. These statistics also indicate that more than 101% 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 have been diagnosed much more often than in residents of any other country in the world. And every year these figures only increase.
What to do if you have symptoms of depression?
If you are experiencing depression, do not delay and seek help from a professional psychologist. Also, if you are experiencing depression:
- share your experiences and fears with a loved one;
- continue doing what you love;
- avoid self-isolation;
- add physical exercise and sports to your usual lifestyle;
- Go on a little trip to reboot.
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, in addition to the modern SPA center There is also a medical center "Kyivska Rus" where experienced psychologists work, who will help you and offer effective treatment options. In addition, our spa center offers a variety of relaxing treatments. 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 person that you are ready to help them, to listen without prejudice or judgment, and to offer your help. You can help and support them in the following ways:
- suggest going to a doctor for a consultation together, but note that if you have symptoms of depression, it is better to consult a psychologist, not a family doctor;
- help return to a normal lifestyle and assist with everyday tasks;
- encourage physical activity and social life;
- promote concentration on positive emotions and actions.
IN Medical Center "Kyivska Rus", located in Skhidnytsia, has a qualified psychologist who will help cure depression. In addition, our wellness complex offers conditions for relaxation and restoration of emotional balance, which will be an important part of recovery.
Depression treatment
It is possible to cure depression, the main thing is to consult a professional doctor in time, who will correctly select the optimal method. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the form of the disorder and is carried out using psychotherapeutic and drug methods, as well as lifestyle changes. Also, such auxiliary methods as art therapy, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, magnetotherapy and meditation are used to treat depression. 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 from depression do not experience the symptoms of the disease as they did the first time. But by noticing the signs of a relapse of depression in a timely manner, a person has a better chance of preventing a second episode.
How to prevent depression?
Depression prevention is a series of measures aimed at preventing depressive episodes. In particular, doctors advise:
- adhere to a proper sleep regimen - at least 8 hours;
- a specific diet with an optimal amount of omega-3 fatty acids;
- physical exercise, sports and walks during the day;
- psychotherapeutic assistance and drug therapy.
