The way out of depression. Methods of treatment, causes and signs of the disease

For people living in the 21st century, a word like “depression” has become quite commonplace. And if someone admits that he is in a similar state, then this is unlikely to surprise his interlocutor. Why it happens? Yes, because very often by depression we mean only a bad mood, which was the result of internal experiences or troubles that arose on the path of life.

However, such a condition can hardly be considered harmless. The status of the disease was assigned to him by doctors, who state the fact that depression is gradually, similar to cardiovascular pathologies, becoming the most common ailment of today. According to various researchers, almost 20% of the inhabitants of developed countries suffer from it. And these are millions of people.

Definition of a concept

What is depression? This is a rather serious disease that sharply reduces a person’s ability to work and brings suffering not only to him, but also to his relatives. To date, little is known to people about depression, the causes, symptoms and ways to get out of this condition. In this regard, patients begin to receive help only at a time when their condition is severe and protracted. And sometimes treatment for depression is not carried out at all.

Reasons for the negative state

People of any gender and age are not immune from depression. Indeed, certain factors that exist in modern society constantly exert pressure on a person. Among them are the so-called values, including fame and the desire for prosperity, career growth and the desire to become attractive, etc. But the fact is that not everyone succeeds in reaching their goal or getting something right away. Because of this, a person is able to fall into despair. His experiences that arose against this background, sometimes provoke the development of depression. And only in some cases, such a negative state occurs without any apparent reason. The culprits of this situation, as a rule, are some of the features that accompany human neurochemical processes.

Depression can overtake a person due to:

1. Dramatic events. They are extremely negative situations that suddenly arise in our lives. These include the loss of a loved one, an accident, dismissal from work, etc. Under these circumstances, the patient develops reactive depression. It arises as a reaction of the body to an event.
2. Constant stress. The development of the modern world is going so fast that it cannot but affect the mental state of people. In addition, it is becoming increasingly difficult not to succumb to stress in a modern society, characterized by high social instability, an increasingly complicated economic situation and the presence of great competition. Life literally imposes on a person cultural and physical activity, which most often becomes not to his liking. That is why many people begin to worry about a variety of issues, which negatively affects their nervous system.
3. Lack of hormones. Norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are responsible for the normal state of the human body. Lack of these hormones causes various disorders.
4. Change of weather. The change of seasons often leads to a decrease in mood. Especially often this happens in winter and autumn.
5. Medication. A decrease in the patient’s mood is sometimes a side effect of some pharmacological drugs.
6. Somatic diseases. A simple flu, and quite serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis, can also affect a person’s mood.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons leading to the onset of depression. This explains the fact that today, millions of people all over the world suffer from this ailment. All the causes that cause depression, experts divided into three groups. These are factors such as psychological, as well as biological and social. Depression will only develop if it affects humans simultaneously. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

The psychological factor for the development of depression occurs, as a rule, in those people who have a predisposition to this disease.

The list of biological factors that directly affect the development of a depressed state includes:

• heredity;
• hormonal disorders;
• head injuries leading to impaired brain activity;
• seasonality of a negative state (heat, cold, rains, etc.);
• shortened REM sleep phase;
• hypovitaminosis;
• side effects of drugs.

Social factors are represented by such causes of depression:

• chronic stress;
• bad relationships between people in the family, at work, at school, etc .;
• lack of affection and love on the part of parents;
• significant changes in life;
• hard ways of education;
• significant life changes;
• harassment and abuse;
• migration and urbanization of the population.

Symptoms of Depression

Among the signs of a negative state, psychiatrists identified four main groups:

1. Emotional. These signs of depression are expressed in sadness and despair, anxiety and guilt, as well as in the loss of self-confidence.
2. Physiological. This group of signs includes significant changes in the need for sleep and a decrease in appetite, rapid fatigue in the process of any activity, pain in the body, and a decrease in sexual activity.
3. Behavioral. Similar signs are expressed in general passivity. This is noticeable in the patient's lack of interest in those activities that he loved before. In addition, a person has a decrease in need for communication, and he begins to abuse alcohol.
4. The mental. It becomes difficult for a person suffering from depression to find adequate ways out of this situation. Negative thoughts come to him, uncertainty arises in the future. In some cases, the appearance of suicidal tendencies is possible, since a person considers himself helpless and useless to anyone.

In addition to dividing the symptoms of depression into groups, there are also basic, as well as additional symptoms of the disease.

The first of them includes a bad mood, observed for at least 14 days, as well as the general fatigue of the body, observed within a month, and a person’s loss of interest in any kind of activity.

The list of additional signs of the disease include:

• causeless guilt;
• pessimism;
• an opinion about the uselessness of loved ones and society;
• decreased self-esteem;
• suicidal tendencies;
• decreased appetite and sleep disturbance.

To say that a person suffers from depression is possible only when he can simultaneously observe 2 main and 3 additional symptoms for two weeks.

Types of ailment

It is important to distinguish depression from ordinary grief. The last manifestation of feelings performs an adaptive function. Normally, grief lasts up to about one year. However, if such a condition is delayed, then there is a high probability of developing reactive depression.

In psychology, this painful condition is divided into a large number of species. Moreover, in their manifestation, they are distinguished by a significant variety. Consider the most common of all types of pathology:

1. Dysthymia. This is a depressive mood of a chronic nature. It is characterized by fatigue, as well as a lack of sleep and appetite. This type of depression is observed in case of manic-depressive psychosis. He is present with postpartum mood decline.
2. Affective insanity. This is dysthymia, which is in its depressive phase. This type of disease is also characterized by poor mood and loss of appetite. In addition, a person has a slowdown in thinking and speech. From the very morning the patient feels anxiety and sadness, becoming indifferent and inactive.
3. Postpartum depression. A similar type of disease occurs in women in the first months after the birth of a child. Sometimes such depression occurs after a miscarriage or in the case of the birth of a dead fetus. Signs of illness are hopelessness, sadness, loss of joy of life.
4. Depressive reactions. They arise, as a rule, after significant changes in life, which may include a change of job, retirement, relocation, etc. The main factor contributing to the occurrence of such a reaction is not a traumatic situation at all. Depression arises from experiencing changes and a person’s insecurity in the new environment. Often, the causes of this type of depression are subconscious resentment and a crisis of self-esteem.
5. The reaction of sadness. This type of depression is a complex, painful restructuring of a person after a bereavement. Deep sadness is manifested in impotence and alienation, irritability and exhaustion, as well as in indigestion and stomach. The reaction of sadness is often accompanied by drug and alcohol abuse.

Stages of depression

Like other diseases, the disease goes through several stages. Each of them lasts from a week to several months.

1. Easy stage (rejecting). During this period, a person manifests causeless anxiety, which he attributes to poor health and a negative mood. At the same time, he loses interest in past hobbies and pursuits. Gradually, an accumulation of symptoms such as drowsiness and apathy, lack of appetite and fatigue occurs. There is alienation from the world. A person does not want to communicate and at the same time experiences a fear of loneliness. Very often, the patient tries to find a way out of this situation in prolonged watching TV, in computer games or in alcohol abuse.
2. Moderate stage (host). During this period, a person is already beginning to realize what is happening to him. He refuses to eat, rapidly losing weight. At this stage of the disease, insomnia occurs, the adequacy of thinking is violated, speech becomes fast and incoherent, illogical reasoning and statements, and sometimes hallucinations, appear. A person is no longer able to independently cope with negative thoughts that come to him, and the desire to quickly get out of this situation leads to suicide attempts.
3. Severe stage (corrosive). At this stage, an outwardly calm person becomes aggressive. He no longer controls his behavior, sometimes causing harm not only to himself, but also to others. This creates detachment and indifference. Due to the long-term effects of depression on the psyche, it begins to collapse. Often, this condition ends with schizophrenia.

Need for treatment

Very often, depression and sick, and people around him is perceived as nothing more than a manifestation of selfishness, laziness and evil nature, natural pessimism or licentiousness. However, it should be borne in mind that this is not a bad mood, but a disease that should be treated. The way out of depression will allow a person to feel healthy again and will give more chances that it will be possible to avoid a recurrence of such a condition. It also becomes more likely that it will not take a severe form.

To date, it is believed that there are three ways out of depression. This is drug therapy, psychotherapy, as well as independent actions. Let's consider them in more detail.

Drug therapy

In order to get out of depression, patients are prescribed special pharmacological drugs. They help with ailments of mild, moderate, as well as severe. The most effective such treatment will be only in case of strict adherence to the recommended treatment regimen for the patient, regular visits to the doctor, as well as in the preparation of a detailed and frank report to the specialist about life difficulties and about his condition.

In this case, for the patient to get out of depression, the doctor will need to select the necessary antidepressants, their adequate dose and an individual treatment regimen. The main course of therapy should be carried out until the moment when the person has disappeared all the symptoms of the disease. After that, for 4-6 or more months it will be necessary to normalize the general condition. This will require supportive care. This stage of treatment is aimed at preventing the transition of the disease to the acute stage.

Psychotherapy

This method involves overcoming depression without medication. Moreover, it is not an alternative, but an important addition to the course of drug therapy of the disease. With this method of overcoming depression, it is assumed that the patient himself will play the most active role in the treatment process. Psychotherapy promotes the development of emotional self-regulation skills in patients. This will allow them to further cope with the crisis situations themselves most effectively, without succumbing to the negative state.

There are various ways to get out of depression. These are scientifically sound and effective approaches to the issue of treatment, such as:

• behavioral psychotherapy;
• psychodynamic psychotherapy ;
• cognitive psychotherapy.

An additional form has been developed and is actively used, with the help of which a way out of severe depression can be found. This is group psychotherapy, which is a family counseling. Attracting loved ones can be of great help in the treatment and subsequent rehabilitation of patients.

Among all methods of overcoming depression, psychotherapy is quite popular in modern society. It is considered one of the most effective methods that can provide effective assistance for various disorders.

For example, cognitive psychotherapy allows a person to find a way out of severe depression and significantly reduces the risks of a re-emergence of a negative state. After all, the specialist is already prepared in advance for exposure to a person in a difficult life situation, experiencing difficult experiences.

Help from loved ones

Of all the ways out of depression, support for family members is very important for the patient, especially in those cases where he does not show any interest in recovery.

That is why the relatives of such a person should know that:

• depression is a disease in which the patient needs sympathy, rather than immersion with him in a negative state;
• more complicated pathology occurs in those families where a large number of critical comments are made to the patient;
• Do not focus on the ailment of a loved one, you need to bring positive emotions to the life of the family.

Independent Ways of Recovery

The way out of deep depression can be quickly found by contacting a psychologist. However, our mentality does not allow many to solve the problem in this way. In society, there is an opinion that a normal person should find a way out of depression on their own.

Those who decide to go this way to solve the problem need to listen to the following tips:

1. Do not grieve for losses. The best way out of depression is to accept the circumstances and their condition. As long as a person remembers the past and lost values, he will not find happiness.
2. Find good friends. The way out of a chronic depression or any other type is impossible if the person is lonely. In order not to be immersed in his sad thoughts, he needs people who will allow him to cheer up, be distracted and regain the lost faith in himself.
3. Take action. Signs of a way out of depression cannot be observed when a person simply lies on a couch and suffers. This does not help him get out of a negative state.
4. Use physiological methods of overcoming depression. These are methods of influencing the human body, contributing to its return to a stable and balanced state. For example, work and sports are the most effective way out of depression. By applying physical effort, a person is distracted, and his body produces hormones of happiness. Domestic plants and animals help get out of a negative state. By observing and caring for them, a person is distracted from his thoughts, which helps him to return to a normal state.
5. Eat well.Enriching the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs, a person is able to find a way out of depression on his own. Because useful elements will be needed for the full work of all organs and systems, which will tone the body and give the joy of life. In this case, it is recommended to include more greens, fruits, berries and vegetables in your diet, moderately eating eggs and meat, fish, milk. It’s better to forget about alcohol. After all, its use will not solve the problem, but only allow you to relax for a short time.
6. Perform meditation and other exercises to calm down. A wonderful way out of depression is yoga. Massage and self-massage will help restore normal condition. Often used to overcome depression music, aroma and dance therapy. Recommended breathing exercises. One can talk about the appearance of signs of overcoming depression in the case when, after all the applied methods, a person plunges into a full sleep. Moreover, he himself falls asleep and can wake up at the right time without an alarm clock.

Getting rid of postpartum depression

How can a woman who finds herself in such a difficult psychological situation help herself?

In order to restore health and good mood, she must:

1. Get enough sleep. This is a wonderful way out of postpartum depression. A woman should miss the opportunity to sleep during the baby’s daytime sleep.
2. Do not try to have time to redo all the affairs. Even if you really want to be an ideal wife, mistress and mother, it is better not to do any housework than to tear your own nervous system, trying to make everything sparkle and shine.
3. Take time daily for yourself. To do this, you should outline small recreational activities. It can be a shopping trip, a short meeting with friends for a cup of coffee, yoga or a gym.
4. Add light. You should only go for a walk when it is light outside. In the evening hours you will need to turn on all the lights in the apartment. Such actions will overcome the gloomy mood.
5. Speak existing problems out loud. In the event of a quarrel with relatives or with your husband, the whole situation is worth talking to yourself in private. Only after hearing everything as if from the side, it will be possible to realize what happened. Perhaps everything is not as terrible as it seemed at the beginning.
6. Discuss feelings. Some people believe that it is not worthwhile to “load” others with their problems. However, it is not. After all, it would be better if a woman stops tearing her anger on her husband, and frankly admits to him that something is wrong with her, and that everything began to annoy her. A close person will certainly understand this condition and try to do everything possible so that his wife is again cheerful and calm.
7. Learn to relax. Those who are engaged in yoga are well aware of the techniques to relieve stress. To do this, you need to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply and slowly. In this case, you will need to completely stop the flow of your thoughts. Sit in this position for at least 3 minutes. To relieve stress, when you especially want to cry, you can also in the bathroom, opening the tap to the stop. In this case, with the edge of the palm of your hand, you must strike sharply with a powerful stream of water. It is recommended to get rid of anger by screaming out loud or pounding the mattress with fists. The main thing at the same time is to throw out the tension that has accumulated in the soul.
8. Find an assistant. It will be wonderful if one of the relatives agrees to help get out of postpartum depression. To do this, he can take on part of the housework. A woman is better to be more with the baby for the earliest possible contact with him.

Be healthy!