Dorothy FarrarDepression
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses of all. Around 20 percent of the German population suffers from depression at least once in their lives. In medicine, depression is classified as an affective disorder. The defining symptoms of depression are general depression, a lack of joy and a lack of drive.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental disorder that belongs to the group of mood disorders. A clinical depression has an illness value and must not be confused with the colloquial “depression” – which usually describes a slight, negative mood.
Depression is associated with depression and lack of joy. Things that used to be fun now seem uninteresting and irrelevant. Concentration and sleep disorders as well as fear of failure and self-doubt are also typical signs and symptoms of depression.
Social withdrawal and creating your own dream world are also typical of depression. Depression is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as dizziness , headaches or the typical ” feeling of a lump in the throat “. In the worst case, depressed people can even contemplate suicide. Depression affects women far more often than men.
causes
The causes of depression are extremely diverse. The death of a loved one can be a trigger for depression, as can stress at work. So it is not surprising that certain occupational groups are particularly frequently affected by depression. Especially teachers and doctors as well as people in management positions often suffer from this type of disease.It has now been found that depression is hereditary. So if depression has already occurred in close relatives, the risk of developing it is significantly increased.
In the case of depression, a distinction is made between biological factors and psychological factors.
When it comes to biological factors, the structure of the brain is crucial. The activity of the brain differs from person to person – in depressed people, the brain areas responsible for generating negative energies are much more pronounced. Negative thought patterns acquired in childhood or negative experiences with violence can be described as psychological factors. Both can trigger depression.
When to the doctor?
Whether depression should be clarified and treated by a specialist depends primarily on how those affected deal with their illness. Many people experience depressive moods in the course of their lives . Especially if these upsets can be traced back to a specific event, there is a good chance that overcoming the situation will also help overcome the depressive feelings.
However, a specialist in mental illnesses should be consulted if those affected cannot identify any reason for depressive feelings. Even if the depression seems to come out of the blue and no acute event can be processed, the danger of an endogenous depression is obvious. Since in this case drug treatment is usually unavoidable and should start promptly, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Depression can be associated with a high rate of suicidality. It is therefore essential to seek treatment from a doctor if suicidal thoughts occur. This also applies to outsiders if they become aware of the suicidal intentions of those affected. Suicidal intentions in the context of depression can also justify compulsory admission to medical treatment.
symptoms and course
Possible symptoms of depression:
Mild, moderate, or severe depression is not only characterized by a negative emotional state that dominates the person’s daily routine; it also leads to a loss of interest and disappearing enjoyment of activities: hobbies fade into the background due to listlessness, and social withdrawal occurs.
Other symptoms are sleep disorders, depression, joylessness, self-doubt, psychomotor disorders, tiredness , loss of energy, feelings of inferiority, difficulty concentrating and suicidal thoughts. However, not all symptoms have to occur at the same time and in everyone affected: If five of the symptoms mentioned occur over a period of two weeks and they cannot be explained otherwise, one speaks of depression.
Depression comes in bouts called episodes. In about half of those affected, the first episode is not followed by another; however, each additional episode increases the likelihood of a new outbreak (recurrence). However, not everyone suffers from depression in the same way; Improvement and deterioration can be rapid or slow. After the improvement (remission), however, a relapse can also occur within 6 months.
Depression usually lasts no longer than five months, and depression only becomes chronic in about ten percent of those affected. After all, 15 percent of the patients see no other way out of the depression than suicide.
Diagnose
For a medical diagnosis of depression, the diagnosing doctor must take one thing above all: time. The clinical picture shows a variety of symptoms that must be proven together as a symptom complex in order to make a reliable diagnosis.
Drive disturbances are typical of depression. In addition to the characteristic loss of drive, drive can be significantly increased in so-called agitated depression, which is expressed, for example, in motor restlessness and loud complaints.Other characteristics include deep depression, feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness, and physical disturbances. During the course of the day, many patients experience mood swings, which usually begin with a low in the morning and improve in the evening. Sleep is impaired.
Medical diagnostic methods include various instruments. These include, in particular, depression tests. One of the most well-known tests is the Goldberg depression test. The test results will then be analyzed and evaluated using a depression scale.
Other recognized depression tests include: the “Hamilton Scale” (other assessment form), the “Beck Depression Inventory” (self and external assessment), the “Paranoid Depression Scale” (self assessment form) and the “Inventory of Depressive Symptoms” (self – and third-party assessment forms).
complications
Depression can be associated with suicidal thoughts and intentions. 3-4% of people suffering from depression commit suicide (Wolfersdorf, 2008). The number of those who attempt suicide is higher. Overall, 90% of all suicides are due to a mental illness (Hegerl, 2005). Suicidality is a serious complication of depression and requires treatment. If there is no acute risk of suicide, outpatient therapy with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist can also be considered. The family doctor is also a possible contact person. If the depression is not treated, it can get worse. In addition, other mental illnesses that are directly related to the depression may appear. In an attempt to treat himself
Especially in the case of severe depressive episodes, those affected can also neglect themselves physically and/or become very withdrawn. Isolation often worsens symptoms. Self-harm behaviors can also occur as a complication. This includes self-injurious behavior (SVV), in which the depressed person self-inflicts burns or cuts, for example. Those affected have very different intentions: self-punishment and trying to feel themselves again are common motives. Self-harm can be associated with suicidality, but can also occur independently of it. In a broader sense, self-harm behaviors also include not eating, intentional dehydration, clothing inappropriate for the temperature, among others
treatment and therapy
Doctors always speak of depression when at least two of the above symptoms persist for a period of at least two weeks. It is then important to identify the cause of the depression in order to be able to treat it specifically. Depression is often treated with certain medications in conjunction with psychotherapeutic treatment.
↳ More information: Home remedies for depression
The drugs used to treat depression are called antidepressants . These bring the balance of the brain messenger substances back into line. Unfortunately, these medications, which usually only take effect after two weeks at the earliest, are accompanied by severe side effects such as dizziness or tiredness.
Much more important, however, is the therapeutic treatment, in which an attempt is made to combat negative behavioral patterns. The so-called light therapy has also achieved great success – it is often used especially in winter depression.
prevention
The way you think is the key to preventing depression. You should learn to think positively and not always look for mistakes in yourself. In addition, a regular and orderly daily routine can help to prevent depression. Women in particular are often overwhelmed with the double burden of work and family. You should try to think of yourself and try to build in a positive experience every day. However, no one is protected from depression – the disease can affect anyone.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.