Depression, How To Recognize And Treat It
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Image Source: Reliant Family Psychiatry |
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by typical symptoms. Those affected by depression experience a deep sense of unease, profound sadness, and little or no confidence in the future. It is an increasingly widespread pathology, both among young people and the elderly.
To treat depression, it is important to be followed by a specialist doctor. Treatment usually takes place on an outpatient basis and may include the possible prescription of drugs, a course of psychotherapy, or both.
In more serious cases, the doctor may instead suggest a short course of hospitalization in specialized departments or hospitals.
Symptoms Of Depression
The symptoms of depression are many and can also be very different from each other. Among the most common symptoms of depression we find:
A sense of deep sadness and despair
A subjective feeling of loss of interest,
Lack of energy,
Lived in solitude,
Appetite and sleep disturbances,
Social withdrawal.
Depressed Mood And Cognitive Problems Associated With Depression
In the depressed patient everything seems painful, nothing manages to arouse joy, even affections seem distant and perceived with detachment. Among the symptoms of depression we also observe other symptoms such as:
Impairment of will,
Memory deficit,
Concentration deficit,
Reduced ability to care for oneself
Reduction of usual activities.
The depressed patient spends his days in a temporal dimension that seems immobile, crystallized. He is unable to recover, to react to escape the grip of suffering, so much so that he may end up making suicide attempts.
Among the most serious symptoms of depression we sometimes find delusions (especially of incapacity, inadequacy, incurability, guilt, self-accusation, economic ruin) which intensify when the disorder is more severe.
What Forms Of Depression Exist?
Among the most frequent we find major depression (also called endogenous depression), dysthymia, a depressive disorder with less severe symptoms but which lasts a very long time and then reactive depressions to traumatic events, bereavements or separations.
How To Cure Depression?
The first step in treating depression is to stop thinking that you “have to do it alone” or that all you need is “a little willpower” and instead seek help from a specialist.
It is important to understand, in fact, that depression is not a weakness of character but a disease that can be cured. And there are also various strategies that we have today to be able to intervene. Therefore, depression can and must be cured!
Depression Is A Disease
It is important to understand that depression is an illness. In fact, many patients, when they get sick, feel like they have changed for the worse or that they are no longer themselves and they blame themselves for it.
Your love life becomes flat, you struggle to be in relationships, you close yourself off and you feel like you can no longer carry out your normal daily activities.
This is true, depressive symptoms make you feel all these very painful sensations, but they are, in fact, symptoms, not weaknesses.
Therapies For Depression
In the treatment of depression, many steps forward have been made by medical science. At the psychopharmacological level, many innovations have occurred in recent years and today there are various drugs with antidepressant action that have proven to be effective.
It is therefore essential to always refer to your trusted psychiatrist. The brain is a complex organ, and so is its treatment.
Furthermore, the therapeutic relationship with your specialist is fundamental. In fact, depression does not exist in itself, but rather the person suffering from depression. And each person has their own individual characteristics, both biological and psychological. The therapy must therefore be “tailored” to the patient, like a tailor-made suit.
Treating Depression With Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a valid tool to fight depression. There are different types of psychotherapy that are based on different schools of thought.
Without going into the specifics of the different approaches, psychotherapy is a useful method and has been shown to be effective in treating depression. Specifically, many studies have shown that in many cases the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacological therapy has shown the best clinical results.
Role Of Psychotherapy
One role played by psychotherapy is to work on a psychological level on different aspects related to depression, from the less observable and unconscious ones to the more conscious ones such as the content of one's thoughts, the management of daily life, important relationships and specific problems of the individual.
Another important aspect is to gradually return to dedicating time to daily activities, especially enjoyable activities. Dedicating yourself to a sport, an old passion, taking care of yourself or frequenting social contexts can help improve your mood and fight depression .
Hospitalization For Depression
Hospitalization for depression becomes necessary when the patient shows severe symptoms. In fact, outpatient treatment alone is not always sufficient. In these cases, hospitalization is performed in a specialized department. In fact, there are situations that require a protected context and daily clinical observation.
To understand when hospitalization for depression is necessary, an evaluation by a specialist doctor is essential. Some situations that may recommend hospitalization are when depression seems resistant to outpatient treatment, or when the severity of the symptoms is such as to suggest hospitalization.
Hospitalization for depression becomes necessary, first of all to protect the person and place him or her in a protected context, secondly because, within the hospital, the patient is monitored daily by the medical and nursing staff.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by profound sadness, despair, loss of interest in daily activities, lack of energy and confidence in the future. It can affect people of all ages and, in the most severe cases, can lead to suicide attempts.
2. What Are The Symptoms Of Depression?
The most common symptoms include:
Deep sadness and despair
Loss of interest
Lack of energy
Sleep and appetite disturbances
Social retreat
Memory and concentration deficit
Negative thoughts and, in more serious cases, delusions of guilt, ruin or inability.
3. Are There Different Forms Of Depression?
Yes, there are different types of depression. Among the most common forms we find:
Major depression (endogenous): characterized by intense symptoms and often without an obvious cause.
Dysthymia: A less severe, but long-lasting depressive disorder.
Reactive depression: linked to traumatic events such as bereavement or separation.
4. How Is Depression Treated?
Treatment for depression may include:
Drug therapy: antidepressants prescribed by a specialist doctor.
Psychotherapy: A therapeutic process that helps manage thoughts and emotions related to depression.
Combination of psychotherapy and medications: Often the combination of both shows the best results.
5. Can Depression Be Cured By Willpower Alone?
No, depression is not a weakness of character, but an illness. It is not enough to “want to heal” or “do it alone”. It is essential to seek help from a specialist to receive the appropriate treatment.
6. When Is Hospitalization Necessary For Depression?
Hospitalization may be necessary in the most severe cases of depression, especially when the symptoms are resistant to outpatient treatments or when there is a high risk of suicide. Hospitalization allows for constant clinical monitoring in a protected environment.
7. What Is The Role Of Psychotherapy In Treating Depression?
Psychotherapy helps to work on conscious and unconscious aspects of depression. It can support the patient in improving daily management and in recovering pleasure in social or personal activities. It is particularly effective when combined with pharmacological therapy.
8. What Are The Causes Of Contemporary Depression?
The causes of depression can vary. Among the most common today are the inability to meet social or professional standards, the loss of a job, or the lack of a role in society.
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