Depression is common in humans, it can strike at any time and in anyone’s life. The disease is caused by two factors, namely biological and environmental factors. 30% of the population experiences at least one major depressive episode in their lives. Many people think it is a sign of weakness or a lack of personality. But that is not the case at all. It is not a disease to be ashamed of.
What are the symptoms?
Depression does not happen overnight. The disease develops slowly and step by step. The sooner one notices that one is suffering from depression, the faster one can treat and cure it. The patient will then feel completely well again more quickly.
The following symptoms can help to recognize depression. Before one can speak of depression, several of these symptoms must be present simultaneously.
- A feeling of sadness or anxiety and a loss of interest lasting at least two weeks
- Sleeping difficulties: sleeping too much or too little, insomnia
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
- Poor appetite with little food or excessive eating (binge eating)
- Feeling of uselessness, guilt or hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Can’t make decisions
- Anxiety, irritation, constantly nervous or feeling rushed
- Thoughts of death, suicide or self-torture
What are the causes?
Every depression is different. This is also the case with the causes, they differ from person to person. For some it is more clearly recognisable, for others it is not. Rather, experts believe it is a combination of biological, social and psychological factors.
Biological factors
- It can be hereditary. People whose father, mother, brother or sister suffered from depression are also at greater risk themselves. This is not to say that everyone who has a depressed family member will become depressed.
- Certain illnesses are often accompanied by depression. Sometimes they can also make existing depression worse. This applies to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and abnormalities of the thyroid and adrenal cortex.
Social factors
- Shocking or sad events can be an important cause.
- Other social factors are: fear of disappointing people, pressure to perform, a busy agenda that does not allow certain things,…
Psychological factors or character traits
- Some personal characteristics can make someone more susceptible to depression: a lack of self-confidence, perfectionism, being unable to process sadness, being unable to solve problems, etc.
But of course there can also be uncertainty about this person’s appearance. If that is the case, it is best to convince this person as quickly as possible that it is no big deal or to do something about it immediately. There may also be negative signals from the environment that make the person feel more insecure. When treating depression, they try to counteract this and give the patient certainty again.
What are the consequences?
It takes time to heal depression. Usually months or longer. It is best to treat depression as soon as possible. After all, such a disease means an enormous attack on the enjoyment of life and a major burden on family, friends, environment and work environment. After all, depression is accompanied by a significant decline in quality of life. The risk of suicide should not be underestimated.
How to treat depression?
Medicines are usually used to treat depression. The best-known drug is antidepressants. Some medicines ensure that the balance in the brain is restored. The most successful treatment consists of a combination of psychotherapy and medicines.
A few tips to help relieve depression:
- Don’t deny that you are sad
- Talk to others about your feelings
- Get help. Feel free to visit your doctor regularly
- Try to build regularity into your life
- Continue to take good care of yourself
- Try to find the causes of your depression yourself
- Keep moving
- Keep interacting with other people
What also helps very well in the treatment of depression is to draw up a schedule when, how severe and how long certain symptoms last. Certain symptoms of depression occur in everyone’s life. However, these should not have a severe and long-term impact on life and its quality.
A major problem with depression is that people who suffer from it often do not recognize it themselves or are able to seek help themselves . In addition, having a psychological condition has a negative connotation because it is often associated with craziness, or because there is no one around you who takes it seriously. These people can actually support and encourage the patient to visit a doctor.
Psychotherapy can also provide a solution in not so serious cases. This prepares the patient to avoid or change the conditions and character traits that can lead to depression. The doctor can prescribe medication, this is usually in combination with psychotherapy. This helps a large proportion of patients.
These medications work in different ways. They stimulate the concentration of various substances in the brain. Often a number of different medications have to be tried before a suitable one is found. They also sometimes use a combination of different medications at different times. A disadvantage is that all medications can have side effects. The doctor will try to find a dose that achieves the best results and the fewest side effects.
In very severe cases, Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT) is considered. By applying electricity to the brain, the neurotransmitters in the brain are modified. As a result, the chemicals in the brain come back into balance.
Is depression more common in women?
The diagnosis is made twice as often in women. It could be that women are more likely to consult their GP. Some think that depression is more common in women. Hormone balance plays a role in this. In men, sex hormones are stable after puberty, in women they continue to change. The result of this is mood swings. Another important factor is the woman’s self-image. The pressure to be good is very high these days. Many women compare themselves to successful people and consider themselves worthless if they are not equally good.
How is depression diagnosed?
There are no objective tests available for depression yet. It can often be seen in the behavior or feelings of a depressed person.
The most important factors that indicate depression are:
- Sad feeling
- Loss of interest in previously common activities
- No longer being able to enjoy things
- Feeling helpless
- Negative thoughts
But also less credible symptoms:
- Change in weight and appetite
- Change in the duration of sleep
- Loss of self-care
- To feel guilty
- Irritated
- Unmotivated
- Physically, emotionally or socially withdrawn
- Holding on to a certain thought
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Everyone suffers from these symptoms sometimes . With depression, this period lasts a very long time, it is very difficult and sometimes without a clear cause.