Depression for no reason. What is depression and how to treat it

Every person experiences downturns in performance and changes in mood, and, as a rule, there are serious reasons for this. Anyone can painfully experience parting with a person with whom they had a serious affair. Everyone can lose a prestigious job or have problems finding employment. It is normal and natural to feel depressed after the death of a loved one. But in the above cases, a person gradually comes out of this state and continues to lead a familiar life. Such "black" segments that are present in everyone's life can be called melancholy, blues, or short-term depression.

History and modernity

Depression is as old as the human race. Anthropological studies have established that some members of the primitive communal tribes had various mental disorders, including depression. More than 6 thousand years ago, the ancient Egyptian priests were engaged in the treatment of patients with pathological condition apathy and sadness. Also, the description of depressive episodes is found in the Bible. mentioning this mental disorder and a description of the options for getting rid of the disease is present in the works Seneca, Pythagoras of Samos, Democritus. Hippocrates paid close attention to the treatment of melancholia as a disease (in addition to the first meaning - a variety of temperament). They described symptoms characteristic of depression, including loss of appetite, insomnia, melancholy mood, irritability. Exactly Hippocrates first pointed out that the cause of the disease is hidden in the brain. He also took steps to classify the different, suggesting that there is a disorder caused by external events, and there is an ailment that occurs without the presence of real causes. Modern psychiatrists call these states "" and. Plato was the first to describe not only the manifestations of depression, but also the state of mania. It can be argued that due to contradictions in beliefs Hippocrates and theories Plato and Socrates, appeared modern facilities and methods: and.

The prevalence of depression in modern times

Today, depression, as a mental disorder, is one of the most common ailments in the world. According to statistics, 151 million people are simultaneously experiencing depression, and about 98 million people are in a severe stage of the disorder. According to WHO research, about 6% of the world's population suffers from depression ( as of 1999, this figure was 340 million people). However, the risk of developing the disease(mostly major depressive episode) is 15-20%. According to the data, about 25% of women and almost 12% of men have experienced depression at least once, which would require treatment.

So in modern Sweden, depression is the first most common reason for issuing sick leave, and in the USA - the second. Over 25% of people who consulted general practitioners had depressive disorders. At the same time, studies claim that about 50% of those with a depressive disorder do not seek help from specialists at all, and of those who apply, only 25% visit a psychiatrist.

WHO equates depression to a large-scale epidemic that has engulfed the entire human population. This disease has already become the world's "leader" among the main causes of non-attendance at work and took second place as a factor leading to disability. Thus, unipolar depression has become the leading cause of disability in the United States in the age group over 5 years.

Most recently, the peak incidence was in the "middle" generation aged 30 to 40 years. Today, this mental disorder has become much “younger” and is often recorded in a group of people under 25 years old.

The main threat of depression is that a patient with this disease is 35 times more likely to attempt suicide than without this disorder. According to WHO, 50% of people suffering and 20% of patients make attempts to commit suicide. About 60% of all completed suicides on the planet are committed by people suffering from depression.

What is depression?

Depression- a mental disorder characterized by a depressive triad:

• External lack of will;
• motor retardation;
• Slowing down the speed of thinking.

This state of mind is experienced by the person as an overwhelming, oppressive sadness with intense irrational anxiety. A patient with depression has a depressed mood, the ability to experience joy and enjoy pleasure has been lost ( anhedonia). The patient's thinking is disturbed: exclusively negative judgments appear, a pessimistic view of what is happening, confidence in the futility of the future, self-esteem decreases, and interest in everyday activities is lost.

Meaning of being depressed

Being depressed means more than just being long time in a sad mood. Heralds of this disorder are also:

• Feeling of fatigue, fatigue from the usual activities;
• Lack of desire to perform daily work;
• Feeling bored, losing interest in previous hobbies;
• Self-doubt, low self-esteem, the appearance or strengthening of inferiority complexes;
• Irritability, aggression, rage.

What are ten features of depression? Depression:

• Is common;
• Often "disguised" under the guise of various somatic diseases;
• It is easy to diagnose if you look for it;
• Often occurs in severe form;
• Having accepted chronic course, often aggravated;
• Causes significant financial costs;
• Makes changes in the patient's lifestyle;
• Changes radically the preferences, principles, values, views of the individual;
• “Forces” to stop and reconsider their views on life;
• Good for treatment.

The "perspective" of depression

Depression is classified as a disease with a relatively favorable prognosis. In the vast majority of recorded cases, treatment of depression leads to a complete recovery. Even in the presence of frequent exacerbations and a long course of the disease, depression does not cause significant and irreversible changes in personality and does not lead to mental defects. According to WHO, 50% of patients with major depressive disorder after 6 months they are in a state of absence of any manifestations of the disease. At the same time, 12% of clinic patients fail to achieve remission after 5 years, and some of the patients are predicted to have a particularly unfavorable outcome. This confirms the theory of variability in the frequency of renewal and the need to choose an individual maintenance program for each patient.

Although in depression the majority of people are unable to work, but with treatment and the absence of further exacerbations, work capacity is restored in 90% of patients. At protracted course depression is equated to chronic mental illness with the establishment of a patient disability.

Awareness of the likelihood of a chronic nature of depressive disorders and the high number of patients prompted the creation of special programs for the monitoring and management of patients with mood disorders. These steps significantly improved the responsiveness to treatment of the disorder and facilitated timely therapeutic intervention.

Symptoms of depression

In most cases, a person can recognize the symptoms of depression on their own. But the inner circle also notices changes in the character and behavior of their spouse, friend, colleague.

How does depression manifest itself?

Here is a generalized portrait of a person with depression.

Most often, the patient is a woman. His age ranges from 20 to 40 years. Probably the person has lost one or both parents in childhood. He is divorced and does not have a permanent partner. The woman recently went through childbirth and is raising a child without a husband. Close relatives of the patient have or had mental disorders associated with mood swings. Throughout life, there were causeless depressive manifestations, suicidal thoughts or actions. The patient has recently suffered the death of a spouse. There are or have been significant negative events in his life (reactive depression). The individual abuses psychoactive substances: alcohol, drugs, painkillers. He takes long, unreasonably and uncontrollably hormonal preparations, sleeping pills-barbiturates or reserpine.

As a rule, a person with depression leads a closed, solitary lifestyle. He has few friends and a minimal social circle, no one visits him or invites him to visit. No one cares about him and does not pay attention. The person has recently suffered serious interpersonal problems: quarrels with relatives or friends. Him low level education. He has no hobbies or hobbies. He is an unbeliever.

How to recognize depression?

For a psychotherapist, understanding the symptoms of depression occurs on the basis of the diagnosis of his condition: observation of the patient, analysis of complaints, features of the course of the disorder and his life history. In addition, to make a diagnosis, doctors take into account accurate and reliable information obtained using the so-called scales for determining the presence and severity of depression.

These diagnostic scales are conditionally divided into two types:

• methods that allow you to determine your condition by the person himself (give subjective data);
• scales filled out by an expert doctor (give an objective assessment).

Attention! Whatever “authoritative” and “convincing” indicators obtained from self-examination using scales or psychological tests are just an addition to the extremely important, mandatory basic medical examination and expert opinions. Therefore, diagnosing oneself only on the basis of self-testing can only harm individuals, especially those with hypersensitivity and vulnerability. Anyone who suspects and has symptoms of depression should see a qualified professional.

The main symptoms of depression:

• Apparent decrease in mood compared to human the norm.
• A marked decline in interest.
• Noticeable energy loss.
• Increased fatigue.

emotional symptoms

• Prevailing sad pessimistic mood;
• Decreased ability to think, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, difficulty making decisions;
• Feelings of excessive guilt and worthlessness;
• Feelings of hopelessness and hopelessness;
• Loss or marked decrease in interests;
• Loss of pleasure from favorite activities and hobbies;
• Lack or decrease in sexual desire;
• Pathological feeling of fear ( more information about fears and phobias);

Major physical symptoms

• Causeless feelings of fatigue and fatigue, a feeling of lack of vital energy (asthenic depression);
• Sleep disorders: insomnia, night "nightmares", disturbing superficial sleep, early awakening, excessive daytime sleepiness;
• Psychomotor retardation or anxious agitation and irritability;
• Change in body weight: loss or gain as a result of overeating or loss of appetite;
• Persistent somatic manifestations that are not amenable to medical treatment (for example, headache, digestive tract disorders).

Symptoms are placed in a separate group.

The main causes of depression!

Research conducted by experts from the University of Kansas, examining the causes of depression in more than 2,500 patients in psychiatric clinics in the United States, established the main risk factors for depression. These include:

• Age from 20 to 40 years;
• Change in social position;
• Divorce, rupture of relations with a loved one;
• The presence in previous generations of acts of suicide;
• Loss of close relatives under the age of 11;
• The predominance in personal qualities of traits of anxiety, diligence, responsibility, diligence;
• Long-acting stress factors;
• Homosexual orientation;
• Problems in the sexual sphere;
• The period after childbirth, especially in single mothers.

Why does depression occur?

To date, there is no unified theory and understanding of why depression occurs. More than ten theories and scientific background studies attempt to explain the causes of this disease state. All available theories, paradigms can be conditionally divided into two groups: biological and socio-psychological.

From biological theories the most proven to date is a genetic predisposition. The essence of the doctrine lies in the fact that somewhere in the patient's family at the genetic level there was a failure, which is inherited. This “erroneous” predisposition (but not doom!) is inherited and may more likely manifest itself under a certain set of life circumstances (stress factors, prolonged exposure to conflict, chronic diseases, alcoholism, etc.).

The second, more studied side of this disease consists in understanding the work of the brain and studying the mechanisms and chemical substances that provide sufficient or insufficient provision for this work in case of illness. On this theory and understanding of the disease, as the most proven and promising, all medical medicine is built (basically, this is treatment medicines– antidepressants) therapy.

Another group of theories of understanding the disease refers to the so-called psychological or socio-psychological. Here, the explanation of the onset and course of the disease is based on the study of the communication problems of the patient, the characteristics of his personality, the psychological problems of his growing up, life in the present, and the level of stress. Psychotherapy is based on these theories ( not drug treatment through the impact of the word, informing the patient).

Theories created by psychotherapists see the causes of depression in "wrong" thinking and / or behavior, the basic model of which is laid down in childhood. Theoretical developments of sociologists explain the causes of depression in the existence of contradictions between the individual and society.

Thus, it can be argued that any well-being of a person, his experiences, including painful depression, have two bases:

• physiological (partly dependent on the presence of certain chemicals in the brain);
• psychological (partly depends on the events taking place in life).

Physiological causes of depression

• imbalance of chemical elements of the brain (neurotransmitters);
• taking certain medications (for example: steroids, narcotic pain relievers). It is worth noting that after the abolition of treatment with these drugs, the manifestation of the symptoms of the disorder disappears;
• problems at work endocrine system(for example: hormonal imbalance due to dysfunctions thyroid gland and adrenal gland)
• imbalance of certain chemical elements (for example: an imbalance of iron and calcium in the blood);
• infectious diseases (for example: a viral infection that affects the brain);
• some long-term chronic diseases (for example: arthritis, cancer, some heart conditions).

Psychological causes of depression

• Some personal characteristics of a person (accentuated features);
• Exposure to social stressors (for example: the death of a loved one);
• Exposure to chronic stressors (for example: living below the poverty line, personal problems in the family, the presence of a serious illness);
• Forced stay in critical, life-threatening situations (for example: in a war zone);
• A sudden situation in adults who are used to acting on their own when they need outside help (for example: disability after an accident);
• Childhood and adolescence in individuals experiencing parental or peer pressure (teenage depression);
• Abuse of narcotic and toxic substances, alcohol;
• Being in special conditions (for example: menopause, chronic pain);
• Birth of a child.

According to specialists from Northwestern University in the United States, social cultural values ​​influence the propensity to depressive states. Studies have shown that the highest percentage of cases of depression occurs in cultures where the individuality of the individual is placed higher than the consent in the team. This explains the "hot spot" of depression in individualistic cultures such as European and American.

Treatment for depression

The main goal of the treatment of depression is to achieve a stable state in which the person does not have a low mood, there are no thoughts about the futility of the future, the usual working capacity and vitality are restored, and the quality of life improves.

In psychiatry, separate conditions are distinguished in the course of depression and its treatment. These include:

• Remission is the absence of symptoms of depression for an extended period of time after an episode of depression.
• Recovery– complete absence symptoms of depression over a period of time (average 4 to 6 months).
• Aggravation- recurrence of depressive symptoms.
• relapse- a new depressive episode after recovery.

Depending on the severity of the disease, the most optimal treatment regimen is selected individually for each patient. As a rule, in severe and moderate forms of depression, first of all, medications are prescribed - antidepressants and other methods of biological influence are used. With a mild form of depression, psychotherapy methods are the primary measures, drug treatment is used as an addition.

To date, developed various methods depression treatment. In the arsenal of psychiatrists and psychotherapists:

• insulin therapy
• Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Stimulation vagus nerve(sc)
• sleep deprivation
• Light therapy (phototherapy)
• Rebirthing

• cognitive behavioral therapy,
• rational ( learn more about the method

Depression belongs to the group of the most common mental disorders, from which not only the patient suffers, but also the people around him. This disease is more common in women. Bouts of depression can last for a long time: weeks, months, and sometimes years. This mental disorder affects millions of people (up to 20% of the population in developed countries).

Causes of depression

• Depression can be a response to difficult life situations, such as the death of a loved one or loved one, family troubles, problems at work, etc.
• It is believed that the disease may be inherited, although the specific genes that may cause it have not yet been identified.
• Depression is a disease that can be caused by some serious illness (Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, tuberculosis, etc.).
• The cause of depression may be an imbalance of biologically active substances in the brain. It is believed that depression occurs more frequently in women than in men. This is explained by the frequent hormonal changes that occur in the female body. These include puberty, pregnancy, menopause. It is necessary to single out such a type of depression as postpartum depression. It occurs in some women after childbirth.
• The development of seasonal depression may be accompanied by changes in weather conditions and climate change, which is especially typical for the autumn-winter months or spring.
• Depression can be triggered by some medicines(drugs that contain estrogens, interferon, antitumor drugs, etc.

Depression is a disease of the whole organism. Symptoms of depression are very diverse and depend on its type.

Types and forms of depression

Depressive disorders manifest themselves in various forms Oh. The most common are bipolar and major depression.

Symptoms of the disease

mental manifestations.

• Oppressed and depressed mood, despair, suffering.
• Anxiety, a sense of expectation of trouble, internal tension.
• Irritability, dissatisfaction with oneself, decreased self-esteem.
• Loss or reduction of the ability to experience the pleasures of activities that were previously enjoyable.
• No interest in others, frequent self-accusations.

Physiological manifestations.

• Appetite changes.
• Sleep disturbances (increased drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia).
• Decreased sexual desires.
• Increased fatigue, weakness.
• Various unpleasant sensations in the body, the appearance of pain in the heart and stomach.

behavioral manifestations.

• No interest in others.
• There is no purposeful activity.
• The patient is not interested in entertainment.
• In a state of depression, the patient may begin to abuse alcohol, various psychoactive substances, which can only provide temporary relief.

mental manifestations.

• Violation of concentration.
• The inability to make a decision on your own.
• The future looks bleak, meaningless, pessimistic.
• A person considers himself helpless and unnecessary.
• At severe depression thoughts of suicide appear.

Depression is a very insidious and dangerous disease, as its symptoms are very diverse. Therefore, it is important to notice and not miss the first signs of the disease. To do this, you need to know the stages of depression.

emotional stage.

This stage is the mild stage of depression. A person, noticing some changes in his behavior, admits that he may have depression. After understanding the causes of depression, he finds a suitable solution and safely returns to normal.

Physiological stage.

The consequences of prolonged and prolonged depression can lead to serious physical disorders, up to brain disorders. It should be remembered that if you have any severe symptoms need to see a doctor urgently. Major depression is a group of very serious disorders in which it is difficult for the patient to cope with any life situations and problems.

Treatment of depression and its diagnosis

About 30% of women and 15% of men suffer from depression. And only about 50% of them seek qualified medical care. We must know that the harm of depression is not only in the deterioration of the quality of life, but also in its negative impact on physical health.

The question arises: "Depression - what to do?".

It is important to know that in depression there may be no changes in the mental state, but only complaints of deviations in the physical state. There are a number of tests for depression that will help establish an accurate diagnosis.

One of the tests that are designed to measure depression is the Beck Depression Inventory. Its accuracy in detecting depression has been confirmed by many tests. The questionnaire takes about ten minutes and consists of twenty-one groups of statements.

Interesting and "Psychological test number 4 - visual. This test can help answer whether or not depression is present, and it can also provide some online assessment of depression if you suffer from it.

Depression is quite successfully treated. The treatment of depression itself depends on the severity and form of the depressive disorder. The main goal is to relieve depression, improve general condition. Sometimes the patient succeeds, but more often the help of a psychotherapist is needed. The psychotherapist will help the patient to adapt to the realities of life, improve relations in the patient's family, increase his self-esteem.

Communication of a psychotherapist with a patient very often gives a positive effect, after which the intervention of doctors is not necessary. However, when running and chronic forms depression requires the combination of psychotherapy with pharmacological therapy.

With major protracted depression, treatment is carried out in three stages:

The first stage is the elimination of the most severe manifestations of the disease (6-12 weeks).

The second stage is the treatment, which is carried out from beginning to end according to a certain scheme, even if there are already corresponding improvements. This will help protect the patient from the return of symptoms of the disease (4-9 months).

The third stage is supportive. Its main goal is to direct the prevention of recurrence of the disease.

Medications are most often used for severe depressive disorders. From medications tranquilizers and antidepressants are used. Light therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of seasonal disorder. Complement the usual treatment of yoga, meditation, dietary supplements.

Very well . They will facilitate the course of the disease, help get rid of concomitant diseases. For example, ethnoscience recommends the use of myrtle flowers. It is said that depression is afraid of the smell of myrtle. Its flowers are added to tea, bathed with it, infusions are made. Even the smell of myrtle is useful for depression. Good baths with mint, lemon balm, oak bark.

The best prevention of depression is sports, a variety of leisure activities, peace and tranquility in the family. You will not need to ask yourself how to deal with depression if you value and protect your health.

Last update:  02/11/2020

Reading time: 14 min. | Views: 35539

Depression is translated from Latin as repressed human condition. This is a special mental disorder and therefore it is very important to know how to get out of depression on your own or with the help of specialists. After all, it is characterized by a decline in vitality and mood, pessimistic assessment of the world around us, including ourselves, inhibited the state of motor and intellectual development, somatoneurological disorders of the nervous system.

Depression is characterized by such as low self-esteem, various cognitive properties associated with one's own destruction and renunciation of oneself from the external environment.

The person who is in depressed state differs from other people in the prevalence and variety of underestimations of his personality.

So, from this article you will learn:

• What is depression, melancholy;
• Types and signs of depression (postpartum depression, etc.);
• Symptoms of depression in women and men;
• How to get out of depression - 10 tips on what to do and how to get rid of it yourself;
• etc.

What is depression, how to get rid of it and how to get out of this state, read further in the article. Types, symptoms and signs

Depression- this is fairly common mental illness to date. Doctors often equate it with a cold, since according to statistics, in percentage terms, these diseases are much more common than others.

You can often hear the phrase " I am depressed» from absolutely healthy person. Basically, people who feel failed in any life endeavors.

But despite their failures, a person continues to live in his usual environment, without making any changes in his life.

From another point of view, the person who actually suffers depressive disorders constantly experiencing depressed state and feeling of helplessness and alienation who never leave him for a second, does not notice his morbid condition, or rather, simply does not want admit to being sick .

This fact significantly violates the ability of people to adequately relate to the world around them, prevents them from communication with colleagues at work and with their family, as there is no or significantly reduced ability to logically and adequately evaluate one or another vital important situation.

Today, depression is one of the major public concerns. First of all, this is due to the increase in such a disease among people.

The relevance of this problem in Russia, according to psychologists associated with the economic crisis in the country. People do not have confidence in the future, they do not understand the current conditions, they are worried about their future and the future of their children, in this regard the amount of stress in the population increases.

Depression is hard to detect., which affects a more in-depth study of this disease and its causes.

Only results scientific research will help create the most relevant approach and diagnosis of depression and the implementation of related care for people who are concerned about stressful situations and other psychological disorders.

2. What is melancholy 😟?

Melancholia is a disorder of the human psyche, which is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms.

These include: inability to experience joyful events, a certain degree of reduced thinking, lack of good mood, decrease in active life position.

People who are in state of melancholy prone to negative reasoning about life and others, they have a pronounced pessimistic mood in relation to real events.

People with this disease lose some interest in your job, they have no appetite, self-esteem is low. (We already wrote about how to raise our self-esteem in the article -?)

Today, melancholy occurs in almost half of the population. According to statistics, after the age of thirty, approximately 70% women suffer from this disease.

The likelihood of psychiatric disorders and children adolescence , is also quite high.

To date, medicine is excellent at helping with the treatment of this condition. How exactly to recover from it is described in detail below.

Important point!

Before starting treatment, it is important to clarify the diagnosis correctly. That the disease is precisely depression, and not the usual blues, which happens in the spring or a typical mood swing and temporary life difficulties.

Serious intervention of specialists and properly selected medicines require biochemical, as well as psychosomatic consequences of the disease.

The idea that depression is disease of the 21st century, is erroneous from the point of view of experienced doctors. Since this disease was known and quite common in the distant past. Medieval healers defined depression as the last and worst stage of melancholy.

In ancient times, this disease was treated with tincture of opium, mineral healing waters, cleansing enemas, as well as full-fledged and long sleep.

The causes of depression are usually complex disorders of the nervous system, the factors of which are internal or external influences on the human psyche.

3. The main causes of depression 📝

• Alzheimer's disease.
• Increased load on the brain due to prolonged stress.
• The use of narcotic substances.
• Psychological trauma, for example, the death of a relative, the loss of a job.
• Climatic or seasonal factors, such as in spring or winter.
• Excessive physical or mental stress.
• Iatrogenic type of depression. Excessive use of drugs.
• Various head injuries.
• Separation from a loved one.
• Changing of the living place.
• (the habit of putting off important things for later).

It is not uncommon for a person to experience depression for no reason. According to experts in such situations, an important factor is disruption of normal neurochemical functions in the human brain.

4. Signs of depression in women and men 📚 - symptoms of "illness"

The states of human depression manifest themselves quite diversely, while, in most cases, they affect the body as a whole. It is precisely complex symptoms, and this, in turn, contributes to the appointment correct and effective treatment.

The doctor can prescribe certain medications, as well as concomitant therapy, only having spent general diagnostics mental disorder of the patient.

As a rule, the physiological signs of a state of depression differ individual features organism.

For example, most people loss of appetite, and for some it is quite the opposite exacerbates during illness. The same feature applies to problems with full-fledged sleep person. One patient may suffer from insomnia and the other- constantly wants to sleep and suffers from a feeling of fatigue around the clock.

Symptoms of depression are divided into several groups according to concomitant symptoms.

Symptom #1. Emotional manifestations of depression in humans

• Decreased or lost interest in life and the world around.
• Increased irritability, even for no particular reason.
• Depressed mood, feeling of melancholy and despair.
• Feelings of helplessness and guilt in any situation.
• Low self-esteem.
• A state of anxiety and panic.
• Anxiety, for example, for their loved ones.
• Inability to be satisfied with previously favorite hobbies.
• Anticipation of disaster and other unforeseen events.
• Loss of emotional sensitivity.

Symptom #2. Physiological manifestations of depression in humans

• Pain of a psychosomatic nature. For example, arms, legs, stomach, heart, head, etc. hurt.
• Violation or lack of sleep.
• Low performance.
• Disorders of the human digestive system.
• Increased fatigue, even with minor physical exertion.
• Increased appetite, or its complete absence.
• Decreased sexual desire, up to the onset of impotence (in men).
• Weakness with any physical exertion.

Symptom #3. Significant changes in people's behavior

• Alcohol abuse.
• A tendency to loneliness and not wanting to communicate with other people.
• Lack of desire for entertainment and hobbies.
• The use of psychotropic and narcotic substances in order to improve mood.
• Passive life position.
• Replacing important, necessary and urgent matters with a waste of time.
• Preference for a sedentary or recumbent lifestyle.

Symptom #4. Cognitive disorders of the human nervous system.

• Difficulties in making any independent decisions.

• Loss of clarity of thought and inability to focus on anything in particular.
• Loss of the ability to concentrate one's thoughts.
• Lack of attention.
• Periodic thoughts about committing suicide.

As with any disease, whether it's a cold or a cough, if not start timely treatment depression with properly selected drugs, the patient's condition will worsen daily.

This increases the number of symptoms of the disease and their severity, which can even lead to suicide food patients, especially, if we consider depression of adolescence.

Not infrequently, the thinking of a sick person is so critical that they can easily be mistaken for dementia of a person, instead of a serious mental disorder associated with a neglected state of depression.

Often the disease is accompanied by an increased attraction of one's own attention to life problems. A patient, usually, completely sure that he has mental, or somatic disease.

In order for the doctor to correctly diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment, a stable ( at least 14 days) the presence of any of the above signs of depression in a person.

5. Main types of depression 📑

1. Endogenous depression

Endogenous depression is a severe form of the disease. It brings a lot of suffering like the sickest person, as well as his family and all those around him.

To detect an endogenous type of depression in a person, there are certain symptoms.

These primarily include: inability to sleep at night, as well as early awakenings at dawn, lack of interest in the outside world and society.

There are also external signs this type of disease. These include: heightened state of anxiety, the systematic presence of causeless sadness and melancholy, depressed state of a person.

Minor signs of endogenous depression in a patient are: slow motion, constant stoop, quiet and uncertain speech.

The external features of such people are lifeless dull hair, as well as an earthy and gloomy complexion.

Characteristic features the presence of an endogenous type of depression in a person is delayed thinking and reasoning, absence concentration and attention, memory problems, no absolutely no desires or interests.

Advanced forms of this serious mental illness lead to a deterioration in the general condition of the patient, there is apathy towards the outside world and society as a whole. Patients characterize their state of health, in the form of heaviness in the soul, a depressed state, similar to the extent of a serious illness, and other similar symptoms.

People with this disease usually , with indifference apply to all surrounding citizens, including closest relatives. They close in their inner world and think only about their difficult life fate.

From the social position in society, such patients try everything possible ways step back.

2. Manic depression

Allocate such a group of people who, in the course of the disease, develop megalomania, inappropriate behavior in any given situation, unexplained mood swings, for example, sudden onset of joyful emotions, or vice versa, sadness. This type of mental disorder is called manic depression, in other words, bipolar mental disorder .

This disease makes people irritable, overly active and quite self-confident.

Manic depression can be expressed in various forms.

The initial stage of this mental disorder of a person is a mild form of the disease, called - cyclothymia . Citizens suffering from this type of depression experience constant mood swings. They may have no reason to cry or laugh. The initial stage of mania appears (mild form).

The most dangerous is bipolar in other words, a major depression. At the stages of exacerbation of this serious mental illness, a person has obsessive thoughts about committing suicide, and during the manic phase of depression, all bad thoughts instantly disappear, clarity of mind and sobriety of mind appear. In addition, these patients are unable to anticipate dangerous consequences own deeds.

Not infrequently found dysthymia diseases . This is a depressive nervosa, most easy stage man's depressive disorder. Otherwise, it is called minor depression or minor depressive disorder of the human nervous system. This includes postpartum depression , which is detailed below.

In various manifestations, depression is such a state of a person in which he disfigures the manners of behaving in society by himself. Not a single person is immune from diseases of a depressive disorder of the nervous system.

The state of depression can hit absolutely anyone century a, old and young, single people and divorced or never had a family, the poor and millionaires. By the way, we also wrote in the last article.

In the life of every citizen, such events can occur that will certainly lead him to overstrain and stressful situations, which are the initial stage of a depressive disorder of the human nervous system, especially if unpleasant events simultaneously overtake the psyche or their systematic sequence follows.

When applying for psychological help women, in most cases detected and diagnosed major depressive disorder nervous system, compared with cases of male patients seeking help.

Experts are of the opinion that women more often recognized in their condition serious illness and rush to see a doctor, and men They try to be treated on their own, so they rarely go to the hospital.

But, as a rule, such depressive experiences as loneliness, helplessness, sadness and other mental disorders, more common in female patients . In such states of depression in men, instead of the qualified help of a specialist, they prefer to drown out their sorrows and hardships with the help of alcoholic beverages or other substances that can temporarily improve mood and give imaginary self-confidence.

3. Masked depression

The stage of such depression, which proceeds imperceptibly to other people, is called masked, or hidden depression. Its experts consider it not as an independent disorder of the human nervous system, but as a result alcoholism or acceptance of other psychotropic substances uplifting. In such a situation, men are practically don't ask for help .

In the most diverse different forms may manifest depressive disorder. In certain situations, states of depression in people differ in their degree of severity. For some, this state is clearly visible to others, while another category of people hides their psychological state from strangers.

Easy, depression is in that situation, if, against the background of certain symptoms, a person has a breakdown and mood, he finds the strength to do daily work and his usual activities.

Moderate, depression is when the combination of symptoms of a mental disorder does not allow you to properly perform daily work.

severe depression, this is when a person has all the signs of a disorder of the nervous system and they are noticeable to others, as well as all these symptoms, completely do not allow a person to engage in daily affairs and work.

4. Clinical depression

Clinical depression is also called big, or monopolar depression. This form of disorder of the human nervous system is most common today.

Entitled " Clinical”, implies the presence of a single extreme position in the range of emotions. It is characterized with only one kind of patient mood, such as sad or depressed.

In most cases, this mood does not go away during the day, and also causes insomnia, loss of appetite, heartache and pain, lack of joyful emotions, inability to focus on anything.

In this condition, patients usually, consider themselves useless, and consider their position in society or at work as absolutely meaningless and useless. These people have very low self-esteem.

The points of view of specialists, according to the occurrence of a state of depression in people, were divided.

Some doctors think that the disease is directly related to abnormal processes in the human brain. In most patients, the tendency to this disease is hereditary.

Other reasons include the following factors: stressful situations, postpartum period in women, death of relatives, feelings of guilt and helplessness, various stressful situations.

Doctors distinguish 4 main groups of symptoms of depression:

• Mood disorders. People have unreasonable obsessive thoughts about their guilt in something, there is a feeling of loneliness and despair, they are constantly in a state of longing.
• Changeable behavior. A person completely withdraws from communication with others, it is difficult for him to concentrate his thoughts, his mind is vague.
• Manifestations of a physical nature. Change in body weight, violation or complete lack of sleep, systematic pain in the head.
• Complex mental disorders. The simultaneous presence of several of the above symptoms of depression.

The patient himself is not able to adequately assess his own well-being, since the symptoms of a person’s mental disorder can manifest themselves in different ways, and can be expressed to a greater or lesser extent.

The state of depression completely affects the mental attitude of citizens, clear thinking is significantly worsened.

6. The main signs of depression 📋

Experts identify two main signs of depression.

These include: lack of interest in the joyful events of the world, a persistent feeling of melancholy and depression, and extreme stage of the disease, this is complete indifference to all the surrounding people and everything that happens in the world and the public. Constant feeling of sadness and depression, hopelessness and misunderstanding of the meaning of one's own life lead not just to sadness and tears, but to acute mental torment diseases.

When depressed, most people close in on themselves and unwilling to communicate with others. In the process of such psychological illness a person loses attraction to the opposite sex, there are difficulties in achieving orgasm and erection.

Changes during depression physical state person. He differs from those around him with a slow gait, quiet speech, stoop, in medicine this condition is called psychomotor retardation patient.

But there are situations when people have an absolutely similar physical condition. They are distinguished by accelerated and restless movements, speech is loud and fast. This state is called - psychomotor agitation .

State of depression much affects people's feelings and their thinking. Usually, all thoughts of patients are directed to negative things in life. It is pronounced, it is difficult to concentrate on a certain issue, thinking is difficult, a person has problems with memory, absent-mindedness, confusion of thoughts.

In such a state, a person's feelings and thoughts do not reflect reality. The patient experiences anxiety, has low self-esteem, is surrounded by his own fear, guilt, and feels that no one needs him.

psychological feeling dissatisfaction with oneself and own life often intensified by all sorts of manifestations: the patient periodically has not only thoughts about suicide , but also his attempts, or developed plans to commit suicide.

Major depression comes in several forms.

Psychopathic depression, during which hallucinations and delusions appear in the patient, the number of suicides increases significantly and treatment is required under the supervision of specialists.

atypical depression when a mixed picture of the above symptoms is expressed.

postpartum depression observed in women after childbirth.

Dysthymia

Minor depression is called dysthymia. This is a protracted mental disorder of a person, which is accompanied by a lack of joyful events in life and emotions.

Dysthymia can last for several years. The accompanying gloomy mood of people in the process of such a disease often leads to the loss of work and family.

Previously, the treatment of dysthymia was carried out with the help of psychotherapy, and mainly psychoanalysis. There are other ways to get rid of this disease. These include: interpersonal, cognitive, behavioral therapy. Most experts argue that the best is a mixed treatment with the simultaneous use of drugs and psychotherapy.

Spring depression - seasonal affective disorder

A specific form of depression that occurs only at certain times of the year, such as autumn or spring.

Many citizens who suffer from this mental disorder may feel great throughout the year, but in one season or another they experience lethargy and depressed mood.

According to statistics, such a disorder often occurs in the fall and ends by the beginning of spring. But there are other categories of citizens suffering from depression in other periods of the year. As a rule, spring depression occurs in women, less common in men.

The symptoms of this disease are: fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, decrease in working capacity, inability to focus your thoughts on a particular issue, increased irritability, sense of anxiety, unwillingness to communicate with other people.

Seasonal mental disorder passes, without any special therapy, with the onset of another season. People have a surge of strength and vitality.

Today's specialists can't answer definitively what exactly is causing this depression. Basically, they indicate a decrease in the level of the hormone of joy in people during a certain period of the year. Typically, this mental disorder is hereditary.

Bipolar depression (mania)

During bipolar depression, people experience changeable mood . It can suddenly change from joyful emotions to sad feeling, or vice versa. On average, this category of patients has an absolutely normal mood, despite systematic changes in it during the depression phase.

During exacerbations, a person shows symptoms similar to those of major depression: excessive activity, emotional arousal, and increased self-confidence. Usually, such changes in people's mood are absolutely not related to current life problems.

The course of this disease disrupts the usual activities of a person, and causes difficulties in performing daily work.

Development and onset of attacks of bipolar depression may be completely unexpected. People may experience all sorts of anxiety during the phase of an attack of mental disorder. It is difficult for them to focus on anything, there is a feeling of guilt and alienation from the world around them.

There is also an opposite phase of a mental disorder, as a result of which a person is different excellent well-being, elevated thinking abilities, feels energized and inexplicably elated.

As the mania increases, the patient's arousal increases, and his actions may become completely unforeseen. The feeling of immense joy can change into indignation and anxiety in an instant.

For people with such depression, various failures and life falls are unacceptable. They have excessive bouts of anger and excessive demands on the people around them.

The lack of a critical attitude to one's own state is distinctive feature mania.

In what situations is an overly joyful mood regarded as a sign of mania?

• The need for rest and sleep disappears.
• Instant change of mind.
• Feeling of greatness and inflated self-esteem.
• Obsession in communicating with others and increased talkativeness in general.
• The tendency to be distracted by extraneous elements that are not relevant.
• Hobbies for something that will lead to further complications.
• Increased activity and acceleration of movements in all spheres of life.

Only in the situation when the above symptoms are expressed quite clearly, and also interfere with the normal existence of a person and his presence in public places, experts confidently put mania diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

In severe cases, the inexplicable self-confidence of a patient diagnosed with mania may gradually turn into delusions of grandeur. With such a psychological disorder, a person decides for himself that he has the opportunity to communicate with supernatural invisible objects and recognize their voices. Such behavior of patients is very dangerous for the surrounding people.

With mania, the speed of thinking of the brain increases significantly, the patient's motor activity increases, and sexual desire increases.

Rarely, other forms of bipolar disorder occur. These include: accelerated circular disorder and sullen mania.

Symptoms of the course of such diseases are similar to the above causes of psychological disorder in people.

7. What causes depression in women 🙍‍♀️?

There are several types of depression that can develop in women.

These include:

1. Agitated depression. The disease is associated with self-preoccupation, loss of social status and self-criticism.
2. Pathological form of depression. It usually causes the death of relatives and close friends.
3. Alcoholic or drug. Occurs with excessive use of alcoholic beverages or psychotropic substances.
4. iatrogenic depression. It develops from the uncontrolled use of drugs, usually with a sedative or hypnotic effect, without a doctor's prescription.
5. Somatic. It is caused by diseases such as a brain tumor, hydrocephalus, sclerosis, epilepsy, thyroid disease and others.
6. Postpartum depression and depression in pregnant women.

All types of these mental disorders are accompanied by hormonal changes and other physiological processes in the body of women.

postpartum depression

Mental disorders in women are significantly affected overabundance active substances in the body that are responsible for the normal production of beneficial hormones that help maintain a person’s mood in the normal range.

Usually, depression in pregnant women or those who have given birth to a baby in the last six months, arise and end on their own, without any reason or medication.

But in the event that the signs of a mental disorder are sufficiently pronounced, immediate medical intervention and the appointment of concomitant treatment are required. According to statistics, postpartum depression affects approximately 40% of women different age categories.

postpartum depression is a disorder of the nervous system that develops in women from 0 before 6 months after the birth of a child.

Periodic disorder of the nervous system that occurs in about 15% women of childbearing age is called premenstrual syndrome.

In the process of such a disease, women experience nervousness, disturbed sleep and appetite, broken and depressed mood. This period lasts no more than two weeks and ends with the onset of menstruation.

Depression. symptoms in women. How to get out - advice from doctors and psychologists

8. Signs of depression in women 🙅‍♀️

Very often the occurrence of a state of depression directly associated with hormonal disorders in the body . They affect the fertility of women of the appropriate age. In a woman's body, this period is divided into several stages.

These include: menstrual cycle , pregnancy and childbirth , menopause. Peculiar changes in the hormonal background in the body occur in each of these periods. These features female body disrupt certain functions of the nervous system and, consequently, affect mental state generally.

Patients with these disorders of the nervous system experience mood swings depending on one or another phase. menstrual cycle within 1-2 weeks.

Rarely leads to depression pregnancy, regardless of whether it is long-awaited or not.

But, oddly enough, abortion, only in exceptional cases can cause depression. The greatest likelihood of depressive disorders in women is the time of the birth of the baby, this is not affected by the number of children born.

Postpartum depression can be a mild form of nervous breakdown, or a severe form of depression, which can occur even a few weeks or months before delivery.

The experts claim that suddenly such a depression cannot come, and this is related to the fact that woman and previously had mental problems but did not seek medical help.

The psyche of women in labor is also affected by a sharp decrease in hormone levels. This condition is explained by the stressful situation associated with childbirth, as well as the occurrence new difficulties and responsibilities in your life, which are added with the birth of the baby.

In particular, postpartum depression is directly related to unsuccessful childbirth, problems in the family, material trouble and other factors.

Not so dangerous for the onset of depression is menopause woman. Experts say that mental disorders during menopause are no different from depression, which can occur in any other life period.

The most susceptible to mental disorders are such categories of women who have previously experienced disorders of the nervous system.

Today, the occurrence of depression in young girls is quite common. (ages 14 to 29). The risk of all kinds of mental illness in the younger generation prone to depression 4 times higher.

Girls at a young age during a period of nervous overstrain have digestive disorders, they are prone to overeating, or, conversely, completely refuse to eat food. Such mental disorders often lead to various other diseases, and also significantly affect the physical development and health of the body.

With food refusal, it can develop serious disease, entitled anorexia, which leads to a decrease in the resistance of a young organism and contributes to the emergence of no less dangerous diseases, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia, as well as other infectious diseases.

How to help a girl cope with depression?

The general condition of the patient needs to be given sufficient attention. Since the problems associated with digestive system, require long-term treatment by a psychiatrist.

First of all, symptomatic therapy is carried out, which contributes to the overall strengthening of the body. Nutritionists select special food for the patient, and doctors monitor her general well-being.

Treatment will be most successful if started in a timely manner.

Stressful situations in women

The impact on the woman's body of various stressful situations causes a high percentage of depression.

Stressful situations include:

• caring for a small child,
• trouble and disappointment in personal life,
• lack of a life partner,
• loneliness.

Great amount divorced women suffer from depression.

Many women leave their loved ones, which can lead to reactive depression, which is major and requires long-term treatment.

Women with a distinctive character are most often subject to mental disorders due to their imbalance or excessive self-confidence.

Symptoms of Reactive Depression

• Self-criticism increased without any reason.
• Lack of interest in everyday life and surrounding society.
• Poor memory and difficulty in making independent decisions.
• Sleep disturbance and increased unreasonable irritability.
• The presence of periodic intrusive thoughts about suicide.
• Constant feeling of tiredness.
• Headaches and general physical exhaustion.
• Increased heart rate, pain in the heart area and pressure problems.

Depression in citizens male less common than in women. As it is considered to be men do not cry”, and it is this expression that they try to match in everyday life.

But such a statement does not save men from the occurrence of various mental illnesses, including various forms of depression.

The main symptoms of depression in men are: inability to control one's emotions, weakness, inability to independently overcome all sorts of life obstacles, problems in personal life.

According to experts, it is quite difficult for men to express their own emotions and feelings due to the usual shyness.

Usually, men do not discuss personal problems or difficulties in the workplace. They believe that they can independently overcome the possible obstacles that, one way or another, are present in their daily lives.

Among men, few people think about visiting a psychiatrist for the purpose of drug treatment of mental health problems. Men also practically do not turn to psychologists for the required consultation.

Male depression - signs and symptoms

9. Signs of depression in men 🤦‍♂️

Among the main signs of detecting depression in men are the following:

• The systematic use of alcoholic beverages or various drugs.
• Addiction to gambling.
• Aggressive and unstable behavior.

These signs are only capable of drowning out a serious illness for a while, which requires immediate treatment.

Get out of depression with alcohol for example no man can. In addition, the above symptoms of depression contribute to the worsening psychological state and difficult situation in society and family. Do not be afraid of depression and related symptoms.

The best thing for a man would be a timely appeal to a specialist for help. Only a psychotherapist will help improve the quality of life and embark on the path to recovery.

The same stressful situation in different men can cause the development of a complex form of depression, or get by with a minor mental disorder.

The following life troubles can become the reasons for stress:

• Dismissal from a permanent place of work.
• Bad relationships with women.
• Difficulties in personal life and family.
• All kinds of psychological tragedies.
• An assignment to carry out a responsible and complex task.
• material difficulties.
• Lack of purpose in life.
• Changing of the living place.
• Retirement age.

In addition, many cases of the occurrence of a psychological disorder in men without any significant problems of apparent causes of depression can be cited.

It is important to note that in a situation where a person previously had difficulties with the emotional and mental state , then in consequence a minor stressful situation will be enough for the occurrence of a serious mental disorder and prolonged depression.

The factor of heredity is also important in the possibility of depression with little stress.

The experts claim that the tendency to such a state is passed down from generation to generation, and in such a family it is very difficult, and almost impossible, to avoid problems with mental disorders.

Children from such families require special individual approach. Recommended limit them in possible ways from stressful situations, and if there is the slightest suspicion of possible deviations in mental development, you need to immediately seek psychological and medical help from specialists in order to avoid serious complications and disastrous consequences.

10. Depression in men and women: what are the differences 📖?

From the above, it follows that men suffer from depression almost 2 times less, compared to women. This feature, first of all, is explained by the high dependence of the body of women on the hormonal background.

Lability of the nervous system of women is another reason for these statistics. Since the fair sex, emotional reactions are more pronounced. Often it is enough for a woman to say a rash word for the development of a severe form of depression in her.

The duration of depression in men is much shorter in time, compared with the course of female psychological disorder. Depression in women usually lasts from a few months and can last for years. Only with the right treatment can they get rid of this serious disease.

Despite the fact that depression in men is not so long, the disease can develop intensively and become more severe.

Statistically, suicide attempts men commit more often than women. Since, the weak half of the population needs quite serious reasons for attempting suicide, rather than the loss of one or another interest in life.

Women, even during depression, can go to work and do everyday household chores, while men are practically not capable of this during a period of mental illness.

How to get rid of depression on your own - advice from psychologists. Treatment for depression

11. How to get out of depression on your own - 10 tips from a psychologist to get rid of depression 💊

Proven advice from psychologists will help and suggest how to get out of depression on your own when there is no strength to do anything.

Tip number 1. Take responsibility.

Tip number 2. Watch interesting and inspiring series and movies.

Council number 3. Avoid solitude and loneliness. Communicate more often with people around you. Go to interesting events. Find a fun activity or hobby.

Council number 4. Allow yourself to accept help from other people.

Council number 5. Reach out to the spirit world.

Council number 6. Avoid alcohol and other drugs completely. They negatively affect the state of the psyche of people and worsen it with each use.

Council number 7. Adjust sleep. Only a long and healthy rest can restore the human nervous system.

Tip #8. Get some exercise.

Tip #9. Do something useful for the people around you selflessly - show love to them, and they will reciprocate.

Tip number 10. Use affirmations.

12. How to deal with depression 💉?

In modern medicine, any, even the most complex forms of human mental disorders can be cured. It should be noted that treatment will be most effective if it is started at the first signs of the disease.

Today it is difficult to avoid permanent stress at work or in personal life, but properly selected medication will help to cope with life's difficulties.

Only highly qualified specialists can help to avoid depression, this psychologists and psychiatrists.

One of the most common treatments for depression is psychotherapy. The doctor will help you learn how to communicate correctly, communicate with people around you, change the negative style of thinking and behavior to a positive attitude towards life.

The specialist will help to normalize the emotional comfort of a person and advise how to avoid the recurrence of a mental disorder. In cases of severe disease, apply electroshock therapy for patients. It is prescribed in situations where the patient for some reason does not take or cannot take the necessary medicines, or in cases where the patient's condition poses a threat to his life or the life and health of the people around him.

The main medical treatment is application antidepressants . Select, advise and appoint who may only professional doctor.

self-medicate Not recommended and even strictly prohibited. Only a specialist can choose the right drug therapy that is safe for the patient's health and most effective in a particular case of a person's mental disorder.

During postpartum depression, as a rule, a woman feeds breast milk your baby. In this situation selection of drugs should be especially careful so that in the process of treating the mother not to harm her small child.

Improvement in the condition of patients is manifested in the first weeks of taking the drugs prescribed by the doctor.

But, it must be borne in mind that in order to achieve a good result of treatment, and its stability, as well as to avoid recurrent mental disorders, use drugs required for at least six months, and in some cases even several years.

13. How to get rid of depression on your own 📌?

In addition to drug treatment of depression, today it is widely used and is quite effective. aromatic therapy. This is a great way to get rid of some types of mental disorders without the use of drugs.

This type of treatment of the disease will be an ideal option for women suffering postpartum depression because not all medicines can be used by them.

Aroma oils penetrate through the pores into the human body and contribute to general improvement in well-being. With the help of such means, you can cheer up your mood, since the aroma of oils has a positive effect on the human brain.

There are several ways to use aromatic oil. You can just breathe them indoors, add a few drops while taking a bath, use essential oil during the massage.

To get rid of mental disorders, there is a huge variety of aromatic oils. The most effective are: Melissa oil, rosemary, lavender, orange and many others.

14. Treatment of depression: 2 main ways 💡

Depression is a serious medical condition and patients need comprehensive treatment.

If stressful situations gradually disappear on their own, then the diseases caused by them will never go unnoticed if effective, properly selected complex treatment is not started in time.

To date, distinguish two main treatments for depression, this is self-treatment, or with the help of doctors.

You can cure yourself only the initial forms of the disease, which have minor symptoms and last a short period of time.

Treatment by specialists is the most preferred and effective option. Since it is almost impossible (or very difficult) to get out of depression on your own, when there is no strength to do anything.

doctors, usually, are not supporters of self-treatment of diseases, especially when it comes to complex mental disorders in humans.

Let's take a closer look at the most modern, safe and effective methods of treatment of various mental disorders.

It should be noted that, first of all, successful therapy depends on the established emotional contact between the patient and the psychotherapist. Only with a trusting and benevolent relationship, the result of the applied therapy will not be long in coming, and it will also be stable and more pronounced.

The main directions of treatment:

• Hypnotherapy.
• Social therapy.
• classical psychotherapy.
• Treatment with medicines.
• Electroconvulsive therapy.

Today, experts are trying to use aggressive treatments for depression, namely, electroconvulsive, or drug therapy , exclusively in serious health problems, when the mental disorder is complex and lasts for a long time.

The main drugs for the treatment of psychological disorders are sedatives and various antidepressants. For each patient, medical treatment is selected individually by doctors.

To achieve the best result of treatment and its long-term effect great importance has the desire of the patient himself to get rid of depression forever.

In the process of rehabilitation, patients must strictly follow all the recommendations of doctors, as well as monitor their own behavior and try to establish friendly and trusting relationships with people around them.

What can be done to prevent depression?

In order to prevent all sorts of psychological disorders in yourself, it is recommended to monitor the occurrence of first initial signs depression and try to get rid of them in a timely and effective manner.

If you think you've become irritable and hot-tempered, notice changes in mood, lose emotional attraction to daily activities, have problems with sleep, then you need to urgently think about a good rest, or a change of job and other changes in your life.

Healthy and prolonged sleep is one of the most important conditions for getting rid of stress and improving your psychological and emotional well-being.

Correctly composed daily routine, also plays an important role in getting rid of the initial signs of depression.

15. Conclusion

In conclusion, the following should be noted:

depression is heavy human mental illness. Its treatment must be taken with great responsibility. It is impossible to drown out all kinds of symptoms of the disease with the help of alcoholic beverages and various drugs.

If you find any signs of a psychological disorder, you must urgently take action. The best solution in this situation is seeking qualified help from specialists.

Do not confuse this serious illness with the usual mood swings or seasonal blues (for example, spring depression). Depression is distinguished by physiological signs that occur in the human body. It never passes without a trace, but only gets worse every day, and gradually passes from a mild form into a severe stage.

Now you know how to get out of depression, what it is, how best to get rid of it, what are the symptoms and signs of depression in a person, etc.

Never do not start the course of such a disease, and do not wait for it to pass on its own. Seek advice from a psychotherapist, and he will definitely help you!

The term "depression" comes from Latin, where the word "depression" means depression. According to research by scientists from different countries world, today depressive disorders are rapidly gaining popularity, outpacing the growth rate of the disease of cardio-vascular system and many other common ailments. Statistics show that at least 1 person suffers from various forms of depression. / 5 population of countries with advanced economic development.

Depression is a condition characterized by emotional depression. Even a few thousand years before our era, ancient Egyptian priests treated people from pathological longing. It is known that in ancient India, representatives of the priestly class received patients suffering from despondency and chronic apathy. They were cured by expelling evil spirits, burning incense and other methods. Episodes describing depression are also found in the Biblical scriptures. The first king of the Jews, named Saul, suffered from melancholy and was prone to bouts of uncontrollable anger.

The famous Greek philosopher and scientist Pythagoras wrote about what depression is and the symptoms of the disorder. The great thinker advised first to achieve mental balance, after which it was possible to proceed to the next stages of treatment, including listening to music and other therapeutic measures. Democritus, with melancholy, recommended focusing on contemplating the events of his life and the patterns of the outside world.

What is depression was written by Hippocrates, who claimed that in the body of people prone to apathy and despondency, there is a high concentration of black bile. The "Father of Medicine" for several hundred years BC described in detail the main ones, including: indifference to food, sleep problems, anxiety, anxiety, irritability and the loss of the ability to experience joy. The methods of modern psychotherapeutic influence in the treatment of depression were set forth by Plato, who lived in the fourth century BC.

The Roman politician and orator Cicero, who suffered from bouts of deep grief and sadness, wrote about how to get depressed. According to a well-known figure, a depressed emotional state has a debilitating effect on the body, provokes torment and leads to the destruction and destruction of the mind. The ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch, in one of his works, describes the young prince Antiochus, who refused food and was in permanent sadness due to an oppressive sense of guilt.

Interesting! WHO (World Health Organization) considers depression a real scourge of our time. Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from a depressed emotional state.

What does depression mean and how was it dealt with in the past?

Since many people are poorly aware of how depression occurs, as well as the development and ways to overcome the disease, it is very difficult to get rid of it without professional support. A few decades ago in the USSR it was not customary to seek professional help from psychiatrists and doctors with complaints of depression. Such diagnoses entailed registration in a specialized medical institution, which made further employment problematic and created a number of other difficulties.

The reluctance to go to a consultation with a specialist forced people to hide irritability and nervousness from others, which often resulted in severe mental illness or alcoholism. In the Soviet Union for treatment nervous disorders ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) was used. With the help of small electric currents, a controlled seizure was induced, which can have a beneficial effect on a person in case of severe endogenous depression or schizophrenia. ECT can cause memory loss, so modern medicine uses more gentle therapeutic methods.

Causes

The causes of depression are very broad. A depressed state can be triggered by various factors ranging from family troubles and ending with strong emotional upheavals. There is a widespread opinion that depression can take over a person even in the absence of objective reasons. official medicine is of the opinion that there is always a reason for the development of emotional depression. It's just that often the causes of depression must be looked for in the distant past, which greatly complicates their identification.

Vital depression is accompanied by a feeling of overwhelming melancholy, which is very difficult to cope with on your own. People affected by this disorder often have acquired or congenital CNS defects. The cause of this type of mental disorder is considered to be a lack of L-glutamine, glycine, L-tyrosine, tryptophan and other important amino acids.

The cause of reactive depression can be both a traumatic situation and failure on the love front. Endogenous depression is characterized by a genetic predisposition, and develops due to an imbalance of amines and other neurotransmitters. Spleen and apathy at the biochemical level are the result of a violation of the metabolism of mediators in the brain, resulting from a deficiency of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

1. In case of insufficient production of norepinephrine, high fatigue and a decrease in vitality are observed.
2. With dopamine deficiency, a person ceases to enjoy things that previously pleased. These include: favorite foods, socializing with friends, traveling or hobbies.
3. Lack of serotonin can trigger the development of anxious depression and the occurrence of panic attacks.

Scientists have proven that the intestinal microflora influences the emotional state. Serotonin (or the “hormone of joy”) is produced by bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract. Their absence provokes negative transformations at the genetic level, impairs the ability to learn, perceive new information, and turns life into a string of events that cause sadness and deep longing.

George Slavich, together with a group of researchers from California, decided to conduct a series of experiments to answer what depression is. Volunteers have been vaccinated with cytokines (special proteins that are structurally similar to hormones) that regulate inflammatory processes. As a result of the experiments, it was possible to establish that cytokines affect the brain, provoking high anxiety and other symptoms of depression. Turhan Kanli and a group of scientists from New York have found that infectious diseases can lead to mental disorders.

Important! Cytokines are produced in large quantities in fat deposits in the waist and hips. Their accumulation leads to a diet rich in trans fats and refined sugar.

What is depression and its symptoms

Depressive states are accompanied by despondency and changeable mood, which varies from sharp joy to deep sadness. Depression is a mental disorder that manifests itself in a decrease in self-esteem, increased anxiety, unreasonable fears and apathy. look like this:

• frequent lamentation of fate and dissatisfaction with one's own life;
• feeling of uselessness, loneliness and guilt;
• difficulty concentrating;
• irritability, unmotivated aggression;
• a sharp decrease or increase in appetite;
• tormenting thoughts about a dangerous disease;
• isolation, unwillingness to communicate with people.

The main signs of depression include: a person’s “fixation” on negative judgments and forecasts, a feeling of despair and loss of interest in current events and people around. If the state of emotional depression becomes chronic and becomes severe, the subject may experience hallucinations or delusional disorders.

At the second and third stages of depression, symptoms such as: statements and judgments that are divorced from reality and do not have any logical connection, defiant behavior and aggressiveness towards familiar and unfamiliar people are manifested. As for the vital depression, its symptoms are most pronounced in the first half of the day. It is very difficult for a person suffering from this disorder to perform elementary hygiene procedures prepare meals, clean the home and maintain appearance in proper condition.

Important! Such manifestations of depression as constant thoughts of death and suicidal tendencies are considered a dangerous signal, and require immediate treatment. medical workers. The decision on hospitalization should be made by a competent physician.

How does depression manifest itself physiologically?

About how depression manifests itself at the level of physiology, many books and scientific papers have been written. The main physiological signs of depression are loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, and a decrease in sexual desire. Other symptoms of depression include:

• pain syndrome localized in the stomach area;
• muscle and heart pain;
• inhibited reactions to external stimuli;
• squeezing sensation in the chest;
• slow speech.

In depressive states, the symptoms vary depending on the severity of the stress, the magnitude of the emotional shock, and other factors. Women often experience irregular menstruation, men often experience problems with potency.

Depression: definition and varieties

What does clinical depression mean? This term is commonly understood as a monopolar severe mental disorder, accompanied by a long painful physical and mental state. The symptomatology manifests itself in waves, and the peaks can occur both in the morning and in the evening. The highest point of oscillation brings serious discomfort, as it is expressed in a breakdown, shortness of breath, a feeling of helplessness, uselessness and guilt. Depression is a disease represented by the following varieties:

1. Clinical (psychotic). Accompanied by serious mental disorders, hallucinations and delusional states.
2. Hormonal (perinatal, postpartum). Many women suffer from it in the first time after childbirth. Associated with hormonal changes.
3. Somatized (disguised). It is one of the forms of an atypical mental disorder, when somatic symptoms mask the presence of an affective disorder.
4. Associated with a painful addiction to ethanol. There is a high rate of suicide among those affected by this type of disorder.
5. Manic (bipolar). It is distinguished by periods of mania and panic moods with time intervals, when recessions occur in depression.
6. Dysthymia. It is a persistent mental disorder, but it belongs to less severe types of depression.

Depression is a concept in psychology that affects not only adults. Disorders in various forms are diagnosed in children under 18 years of age, and are expressed in poor academic performance, bad behavior, self-doubt and lack of any interests. Latent depression is observed in people who are in a state of struggle with internal vices and weaknesses. With melancholy, motor activity decreases, a person ceases to experience pleasure from anything.

Interesting! Atypical depression is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the legs and arms, as well as paralysis.

Stages of depression

The first stage of a depressive state is called rejecting. On it, a person does not want to admit the presence of symptoms confirming depression, shifting the blame to poor health, bad weather conditions, seasonal blues or accumulated fatigue. At the stage of denial, the subject continues to lead a habitual way of life. For example, a person who has lost relatives as a result of a tragic accident speaks about them in the present tense, keeps their photos, things, and prepares their favorite dishes, as if expecting them to visit. In the rejection phase, the acceptance of reality becomes difficult due to the activation of natural mechanisms responsible for psychological protection. This stage is characterized by the following symptoms:

• rejection of the tragic event that served as a pretext for the onset of depression;
• change in habitual sleep/wake schedule and eating patterns;
• unnaturally high spirits, accompanied by uncontrollable laughter.

The second stage of depression is accompanied by a decrease in mood, the appearance of anxiety and severe emotional depression. A person is aware of the loss or the fact that provoked a depressive state, and attempts to find those responsible for what happened. Man, and mental labor. Among the main manifestations of this stage: frequent mood swings, a tendency to scandals and squabbles.

With depression in the second stage, changes in physiology are observed, which are expressed in a violation of the production of serotonin (“happiness hormone”), loss of appetite and prolonged insomnia. A person cannot fall asleep for several days, as a result, he has auditory and visual disorders, and the body's resources are rapidly depleted. The subject is sure that he cannot get out of the depressed emotional state on his own, therefore he becomes obsessed with the idea of ​​​​committing suicide.

In the third stage, a depressive state poses a high danger to life. The body goes into energy saving mode, leaving it only for the simplest activities. There is mental exhaustion and the development of pathological processes, which are expressed in the dominant indifference and detachment of a person from external stimuli and environment. At this stage, the subject may be prone to bouts of manic depressive illness and schizophrenic disorder, and harm both himself and others.

Negative effects of depression

With depression, the work of the body is disrupted at the hormonal, mental and physiological levels. Increased risk of disease diabetes, cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression. Due to indifference to food, beriberi develops, hair falls out and becomes dull, and brittle nails. Men and women who suffer from emotional depression look older than their own age and are prone to gaining excess weight.

Important! In the absence of proper treatment in the future, depression leads to a severe deterioration in well-being, physical and mental lethargy, and also significantly increases the risk of suicide.

Depression: causes, signs and ways out

About what depression is and its signs, it was discussed in the previous paragraphs. Now it is worth considering in more detail the ways out and overcoming the suppressed emotional state. It is believed that vital depression is treated through a competent combination of psychotherapy and Therapy is carried out in several steps: first, an examination is prescribed, based on the results of which the optimal course of medication is selected.

The most commonly prescribed antidepressants have a stimulating effect. Experts believe that taking into account these measures, it will be possible to overcome vital depression no earlier than in 3 months. It should be borne in mind that the effect of most drugs from the group of antidepressants begins a few weeks after the start of the course. People suffering from vital depression are often prescribed mood stabilizers (normomitics), which relieve oppressed and depressed mood.

According to research by scientists, in the treatment of mild disorders, moderate physical exercise. As a result of activity, a hormonal surge occurs, which increases the level of endorphin. Regular exercise can relieve insomnia and increase self-esteem. Data medical statistics claim that about 3 / 4 people diagnosed with clinical depression successfully get rid of the disorder in case of timely diagnosis and early treatment.

Important! To overcome a depressive state, it is important to track the onset of an emotional crisis, which provokes an aggravation of negative symptoms. Clinical picture confirmed by an analysis of the level of cortisol. In the presence of a mental disorder, the content of the hormone in the blood is much higher than normal.

You can overcome depression symptoms and make your life happier and easier by adopting the following practical recommendations:

1. It is important to remember the moment that began the development of a depressed emotional state. It is necessary to analyze the cause of psychotrauma and reconsider one's own attitude towards it.
2. It is necessary to abandon the constant reproaches and accusations addressed to you. Self-flagellation should be replaced by a conscious analysis of shortcomings in order to subsequently get rid of them.
3. Before going to bed, you need to focus not on mistakes and failures, but on the positive events of the past day.

Depression in psychology is the subject of active debate among representatives of different schools and directions. Without the support of a specialist in the field of psychology, it is very difficult to get rid of the state of emotional depression. Nikita Valeryevich Baturin is the author of an effective technique for overcoming various anxiety disorders of the psyche and an international professional in the fight against phobias, fears and panic attacks. Those who wish to visually see the methods of work of Nikita Baturin should visit his YouTube channel.

All About Depression: Effective Treatments

Depression is a disease treated by psychotherapists. In most cases, doctors prescribe vitamins, antidepressants, and ancillary medications. As a supplement, methods of physiotherapy are used, as well as outdoor activities. It can be said about mild depression that it will be possible to get rid of such a disorder without pharmaceuticals.

• change of scenery;
• relaxation massage course;
• communication with relatives, friends and nice people.

Relatives of a person prone to depressive states should not criticize him for any misconduct, but indulging in despair and pessimism is also not recommended. Without the support of the immediate environment, getting rid of the disease is incredibly difficult. Psychotherapeutic methods usually begin to be applied only after the severity of negative symptoms has decreased. The psychotherapist needs to help a person change the interpretation of the experience that traumatizes the psyche, as well as to choose the optimal treatment for him, taking into account individual characteristics.

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is one of the most effective methods treatment of depressive disorders. CBT involves working on oneself under the supervision of an experienced psychotherapist, who helps to identify patterns of behavior and thinking that provoke the development of emotional depression.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Symptoms of depression

Signs of the onset of depression

• emotional signs;
• mental disorder;
• physiological signs;
• behavioral disorder.

Emotional Signs
Emotional signs of the onset of depression indicate a deterioration in the patient's emotional status and are most often accompanied by a decrease in general mood.

Emotional signs of depression include:

• changeable mood with a sharp change of fun to melancholy;
• apathy;
• extreme despondency;
• depressed, oppressive state;
• a feeling of anxiety, restlessness, or even unreasonable fear;
• despair;
• lowering self-esteem;
• constant dissatisfaction with yourself and your life;
• loss of interest and pleasure in work and the world around you;
• feeling of guilt;
• feeling of worthlessness.

The main signs of a mental state disorder are:

• difficulty concentrating;
• inability to focus on a particular job or activity;
• completing simple tasks over a longer period of time – work that used to be done in a few hours can take a whole day;
• "fixation" on one's worthlessness - a person constantly thinks about the meaninglessness of his life, only negative judgments about himself prevail in him.

90% of the time a person is indoors.

Constant fatigue, weakening of the ability to concentrate, sleep disturbance?- First of all, pay attention to the house. Health is affected by environmental factors:

The presence of harmful substances in the air: house building materials, chipboard, gas stoves, indoor smoking.

Increased radiation background: house building materials, tile, central heating radiators.

Electromagnetic radiation: computers, Cell phones, microwave ovens, wi-fi routers, sockets, as well as power lines, tram and trolleybus networks.

Mercury vapor

An environmental impact assessment of housing is an affordable procedure that will help identify the invisible causes of ailments.

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The main physiological signs of depression

Often the first symptoms of depression are expressed in a violation of the behavior of the patient.

The main signs of impaired behavioral status in depression are:

• unwillingness to contact family and friends;
• less often - attempts to attract the attention of others to themselves and their problems;
• loss of interest in life and entertainment;
• sloppiness and unwillingness to take care of themselves;
• constant dissatisfaction with oneself and others, which results in excessive demands and high criticality;
• passivity;
• unprofessional and poor-quality performance of their work or any activity.

Diagnostic signs of depression

Allocate the main and additional diagnostic signs of depression.

The main signs of depression are:

• hypothymia - reduced mood compared to the patient's inherent norm, which lasts more than two weeks;
• a decrease in interest in any activity that usually brought positive emotions;
• increased fatigue due to a decrease in energy processes.

• decreased attention and concentration;
• self-doubt and low self-esteem;
• ideas of self-blame;
• disturbed sleep;
• disturbed appetite;
• suicidal thoughts and actions.

Anxiety and depression

Symptoms of anxiety in depression are:

• feeling of internal tension - patients are in a state of constant tension, describing their condition as "a threat hung in the air";
• a feeling of anxiety at the physical level - in the form of trembling, frequent heartbeat, increased muscle tone, excessive sweating;
• constant doubts about the correctness of the decisions made;
• anxiety spreads to future events - at the same time, the patient is constantly afraid of unforeseen events;
• a feeling of anxiety extends to the events of the past - a person constantly torments himself and reproaches himself.

Vegetative symptoms in anxious depression are:

• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• labile (unstable) blood pressure;
• increased sweating.

Sleep disorders in depression

Symptoms of sleep disturbance in depression include:

• difficulty falling asleep;
• interrupted sleep and frequent awakenings;
• early morning awakenings;
• reduced sleep duration;
• superficial sleep;
• nightmares;
• complaints of restless sleep;
• lack of a feeling of rest after waking up (with normal sleep duration).

Sleep disorders in depression include both insomnia (85 percent) and hypersomnia (15 percent). The former include - a disorder of night sleep, and the latter - daytime sleepiness.

In the dream itself, several phases are distinguished, each of which has its own functions.

Sleep phases include:
1. Phase slow sleep

• drowsiness or theta wave stage;
• sleep spindle stage;
• delta sleep;
• deep dream.

With depression, there is a decrease in delta sleep, a shortening of the phase short sleep and an increase in superficial (first and second) stages of non-REM sleep. In patients with depression, the phenomenon of "alpha - delta - sleep" is noted. This phenomenon takes up more than one-fifth of sleep in duration and is a combination of delta waves with alpha rhythm. At the same time, the amplitude of the alpha rhythm is several oscillations less than during wakefulness. It is assumed that this activity in delta sleep is the result of an activating system that prevents the inhibitory somnogenic systems from fully functioning. Confirmation of the relationship between REM sleep disturbances in depression is the fact that delta sleep is the first to recover when coming out of depression.

depression and suicide

The main problem of suicide is that many who committed suicide did not receive qualified assistance. This means that the majority of depressive states remain undiagnosed. This group of depressions mainly includes masked depressions and depressions in alcoholism. These patients receive psychiatric care later than others. However, patients receiving medication are also at risk. This is due to frequent and premature interruptions of treatment, lack of support from relatives. In adolescents, certain medications are a risk factor for suicide. It has been proven that second-generation antidepressants have the ability to provoke suicidal behavior in adolescents.

It is very important to suspect a suicidal mood in a patient in time.

Signs of suicidal ideation in patients with depression are:

• slipping of suicidal thoughts in a conversation in the form of phrases “when I am gone”, “when death takes me”, and so on;
• constant ideas of self-accusation and self-abasement, talk about the worthlessness of one's existence;
• severe disease progression up to complete isolation;
• before planning suicide, patients can say goodbye to their relatives - call them or write a letter;
• also, before committing suicide, patients often begin to put their affairs in order - make a will, and so on.

Diagnosis of depression

Questioning a patient with depression

• mental inhibition;
• yearning;
• anxiety and agitation (arousal) or motor retardation (depending on the type of depression).

• apathy;
• anhedonia - loss of the ability to enjoy;
• painful insensibility.

The depressive content complex is:

• ideas of self-accusation - most often in sin, in failures or death of close relatives;
• hypochondriacal ideas - consist in the patient's conviction that he suffers from incurable diseases;
• suicidal thoughts.

Additional diagnostic features depression are:

• family history - if among the patient's relatives there were people suffering from a depressive disorder (especially bipolar), or if there were suicides among the next of kin;
• the patient's personality type - anxiety personality disorder is a risk factor for depression;
• the presence of depressive or manic conditions before;
• concomitant somatic chronic pathologies;
• alcoholism - if the patient is not indifferent to alcohol, then this is also a risk factor for depression.

The Beck Depression Scale and other psychometric scales

Psychometric scales for assessing depression are:

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS);
• Hamilton scale (HDRS);
• Tsung scale;
• Montgomery-Asberg scale (MADRS);
• Beck scale.

Hamilton Scale (HDRS)
It is the most popular and frequently used scale in general medical practice. Contains 23 items maximum score which is 52 points.

The interpretation of the Hamilton scale is:

• 0 - 7 points talk about the absence of depression;
• 7 - 16 points- Minor depressive episode
• 16 - 24 points
• over 25 points

The interpretation of the Zung scale is:

• 25 – 50 - variant of the norm;
• 50 – 60 - mild depressive disorder;
• 60 – 70 - moderate depressive disorder;
• over 70- severe depressive disorder.

The interpretation of the Montgomery-Asberg scale is:

• 0 – 15 - lack of depression;
• 16 – 25 - Minor depressive episode
• 26 – 30 - moderate depressive episode;
• over 31- Major depressive episode.

The interpretation of the Beck scale is:

• up to 10 points- lack of depression;
• 10 – 15 - subdepression;
• 16 – 19 - moderate depression;
• 20 – 30 - severe depression;
• 30 – 62 - severe depression.