Depression causes and treatment. The main symptoms of depression and the fight against the disease

Symptoms of depression should never be ignored. People who don't take mental health problems seriously are actually wrong. According to experts, most serious illnesses in people aged 15 to 44 years are caused by untreated depressive disorder. As we can see, depression can cause a serious blow to a person’s health, and sometimes cause disability.

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis say that 17.5 million Americans suffer from this mental illness. The risk group includes women who are twice as likely to suffer from central nervous system disorders. Unfortunately, many people are not even aware of their condition, and therefore do not seek help from specialists. Here's what you need to know about the symptoms of depression.

Frequent crying or lack of emotion

The average woman is very emotional. She cries a lot and is used to taking various life situations to heart. That is why it is difficult for representatives of the fair half of humanity to recognize where spontaneous tears are and where the body’s natural response to stress is. Sometimes tears are caused by excess hormones in the body. If you're in doubt about your symptoms, watch your crying frequency: it tends to increase with depression. Blame it on the increase in sad stimuli in everyday environments. Many patients at an appointment with a psychotherapist report increased tearfulness, but there is also a flip side to the coin. Some people who are depressed report difficulty expressing any emotions.

Dr. Edward Shorter explains this troubling symptom: “When people are deeply depressed, they can’t feel anything.” If you encounter such a change in behavior, without hesitation for a moment, go to see a specialist. If you cry more than usual, for no apparent reason (tragedy in your life or hormonal fluctuations), if you react inappropriately to certain things and then cannot stop, you should tell others about your condition.

Irritability

According to clinical and forensic psychologist Ali Mandelblatt, people who are depressed exhibit anger and irritability. This trend is especially relevant for younger people: “Irritability and frequent quarrels with other people are signs of a mental disorder. Depression affects an individual's thoughts and can lead to a focus on negative aspects. You can suddenly attack a member of your family with angry screams, and your indignation will know no bounds. It is worth noting that you have not previously expressed negative reactions to such situations.” According to certified clinical consultant Victoria Ivanova, for some people, irritability and anger are another way to overcome emotional pain. And this is a clear sign that a person needs to seek help.

Loss of interest in usual hobbies

People suffering from depression may be surprised to find that they have lost all interest in the things they once loved. This is how psychologist Helen Odessky describes a similar situation: “You simply don’t feel pleasure from the things that used to bring you joy. Any actions that could improve your mood are not perceived as pleasant by you. You don't want to enjoy food, meet friends and go to holiday events. You are not happy with music and favorite films. This is a warning sign that you should not ignore. If you feel constantly bored and depressed, talk to someone. This could be a sign of depression."

One of the most common symptoms

In fact, loss of interest in favorite hobbies can be identified as one of the most common symptoms of depression. Dr. Susan Noonan, who works as a consultant at the psychiatry branch of Harvard Medical School, spoke about the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
This publication presents a set of diagnostic guidelines that the American Psychiatric Association has developed to help doctors diagnose depression. If a person experiences at least five of the nine symptoms for two weeks or longer, they will be diagnosed with depression. One of the five symptoms listed in the guide is loss of interest in pleasure.

Sleep disturbance

Depressive disorder can also affect sleep quality. Dr. Noonan argues that both extremes of insomnia and a constant desire to sleep can indicate the presence of obvious mental problems. This also includes interrupted sleep, when a person suddenly wakes up long before the alarm clock rings. This includes an increase in the frequency and intensity of nightmares. Many people who consult a specialist note that they do not feel rested after sleep. In addition, patients experience difficulty falling asleep. This symptom is especially common for women who experience postpartum depression. According to the expert, young mothers are in constant fear that something might happen to their babies.

How to explain sleep disturbance during depression? Dr. Prashant Kiran Gajwani says that people experiencing mental disorders experience disturbances in their sleep-wake cycles. But here another unpleasant surprise awaits unhappy people: the worse they get sleep, the more irritated they become. This means that lack of sleep only worsens depressive disorder. If you sleep too much, try limiting your time in bed to 8 hours a night. If you regularly do not get enough sleep, take care of improving the conditions in the bedroom, as well as physical activity.

Suicidal thoughts

Here's what Dr. Darius Rassin says: “Suicidal thoughts are always a warning sign. Please seek help if they are present in your head. Don't think that you are alone and forgotten by everyone. You are an important member of society who has the power to change the world for the better.” However, passive thoughts about death, as well as discussions about the frailty of existence, can also become a dangerous warning sign.

Self-inflicted harm

Pay close attention to markers of suicidal thoughts, which include a feeling of complete hopelessness and a desire to intentionally harm yourself. This can include any form of self-harm, scratching, stabbing or wounding.

Social isolation

Those people who have suicidal thoughts are especially susceptible to this symptom. As time goes by, their feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness grow. They begin to increasingly avoid social activities, often citing malaise and fatigue. Pay close attention to this trend if you are a sociable person.

Decreased sex drive

Most experts cite decreased sex drive, loss of interest in sex, and an inability to become aroused or achieve orgasm as other signs of depression. However, sometimes people suffering from depression may experience the opposite pattern, with an increase in promiscuity.

Cravings for alcohol or drugs

Alcoholism and drug addiction are independent diseases. But if a person has not previously suffered from these ailments, and suddenly develops a craving for alcohol and drugs, this may also be a sign of depression. In addition, people suffering from mental disorders in the early stages of the disease begin to seek solace in smoking, pornography, computer games, gambling, and other controversial addictions. However, most often depressed individuals seek solace at the bottom of a glass. Alcohol allows these people to escape from their problems for a short time. This is not a solution, since alcohol has a destructive effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, it is better to look for solutions in the office of a neurologist or psychotherapist.

2016-12-05 Depression

Depression is a mental illness that is characterized by a persistent decrease in mood (longer than two weeks), loss of interest in life, deterioration of attention and memory, and motor retardation. If left untreated, a person may lose ability to work for months, or even years, and even attempt to die.

Depression is not just temporary episodes of depression that affect everyone. It's a disease.

Risk factors for depression:

• genetic predisposition- the presence of depression and other mental disorders in relatives increases the risk of developing the disease;
• stressful situations- loss of loved ones, overwork, negative environment, conflicts in the family, at work or within the individual;
• accompanying illnesses- neurological, somatic (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular pathology), alcohol or drug addiction.

Depression is a disease that can occur both after stressful situations and “out of nowhere.” Doctors have not yet determined why it often occurs in apparently healthy people against a background of complete well-being. But this does not prevent experienced psychotherapists from fighting the disorder and winning.

What is depression and how does it manifest?

How is depression treated?

Psychiatry uses a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy to treat depression.

For drug therapy conditions, antidepressants are used. A new generation drug individually selected by an experienced specialist will be able to relieve the symptoms of an exacerbation: improve mood, relieve melancholy, lethargy and anxiety.

To be sure to get rid of the symptoms of depression, the dosage of drugs must be changed smoothly, gradually. With abrupt withdrawal of medications (when a person stops taking the medications), the disease can recur with renewed vigor.

A necessary element of treatment is psychotherapy. Regular conversations with a competent psychotherapist help the patient understand his condition, teach him how to control his mood and help prevent relapses (exacerbations). It is effective to include relatives in the sessions, since in the fight against the disease it is important to have the support of those close to you and their understanding of the situation. .

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Modern psychiatrists call psychogenic depression acute and long-term reactions of a healthy psyche to extreme negative events in an area that is emotionally significant for a particular person. It is also called “reactive depression,” emphasizing that this depression is a pathological reaction to tragedy.

Chronic depression is persistent depression lasting two or more years (one year in children), during which the patient shows signs of depression, but in a relatively weaker form. Chronic depression occurs more often in women, because... men can live up to two or more years in a state of permanent depression without obvious external manifestations, while in women, due to constitutional characteristics, they are immediately visible.

Masked or hidden depression is a depression in which a variety of somatic, bodily complaints (masks) come to the fore - from itching and pain in the sternum to headaches and constipation - and symptoms characteristic of depression (decreased motor and mental activity , painful negative experiences up to suicide, anhedonia) either recede into the background or third plan, or do not appear outwardly at all.

The causes of endogenous depression, which, being genetically predisposed, lie not in external stress or a traumatic environment, but within the person himself: in the genetics of the individual and family heredity that determines disturbances in the exchange of neurotransmitters, personal factors (excessive correctness, pedantry, accuracy and sacrifice, along with complexity in expressing and defending your opinion).

In psychiatry, depression is understood as a whole group of diseases, heterogeneous (heterogeneous) in their causes, clinical manifestations and, most importantly, approaches to therapy. Every psychiatrist or psychotherapist, when faced with depression, must make a differential diagnosis between its three types - somatogenic, psychogenic and endogenous.

Stress - a strong traumatic event or chronic negative impact - gives rise to depression, and symptoms of depression (depressed mood, fatigue, difficulty working) aggravate the situation. You can get out of the pathological vicious circle with the help of a psychotherapist.

Astheno-depressive syndrome is fatigue, chronic fatigue and depressed, constantly low mood. The condition can be either an independent disease or a sign of a serious mental illness - bipolar affective disorder, organic brain damage or even schizophrenia. Diagnosis and treatment are carried out by a psychotherapist.

Fear of seeing a doctor and careless attitude towards one’s health lead to the fact that a person suffers from depression for many years and no longer remembers what life was like before the illness. Victory over the disorder will not be easy or quick, but the joys of life are worth fighting for with the help of an experienced psychotherapist.

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by loss of the ability to feel joy, decreased mood, and suffering. In recent years, the world has seen a catastrophic number of people experiencing symptoms of this disease. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that the patient does not realize that he is caught in the web of depression, and therefore cannot overcome the depressive state on his own. A special differential diagnostic technique, which is successfully used in modern medicine, allows us to determine the type and characteristics of the disease.

Causes of depressive disorder

The exact causes of depression are still unknown. They often appear under the influence of several factors at once. The risk group for depression (ICD code 10) includes people with low self-esteem, pessimists and adolescents. In psychiatry, there are a number of reasons why a person develops anxiety-depressive personality disorder:

• taking drugs, psychostimulants;
• taking antidepressants;
• alcohol abuse;
• childbirth, pregnancy;
• avitaminosis;
• neurological, oncological, endocrine pathologies;
• uncontrolled or long-term use of antipsychotics;
• stress;
• hereditary predisposition;
• low amount of sunlight consumed;
• side effects of medications;
• lack of dopamine and serotonin in the blood;
• experiences (separation or death of a loved one, loss of money, job, change in social status and other negative factors).

Why is depression dangerous?

If you cannot get out of a depressive state on your own, you must definitely contact a specialist, otherwise over time this can lead to disastrous results. Consequences of mental disorder:

1. Problems with loved ones. The person becomes withdrawn and alienated. It is difficult to be around someone like this all the time, especially if depression occurs in women.
2. Deterioration in appearance. A patient who cannot overcome the symptoms of depression becomes indifferent and stops taking care of himself. Motivation disappears, hair loses its shine, splits, nails break, skin turns pale and peels.
3. Decreased quality of life. A person loses energy, activity, and a feeling of uselessness appears. In severe cases of the disease, there is a risk of suicide.
4. Cardiovascular diseases. If the help of a specialist does not arrive in time, then, against the background of constant worries, a person experiences physical pain in the heart, head, and abdomen. If the depressive state is not relieved in time, chronic heart disease may occur, and the likelihood of seizures and even death is high.
5. Diabetes. The risk of obesity is increased by 58%. Bad mood, mild anxiety or regular sadness causes a person to “eat up” problems, which contributes to the development of diabetes.
6. Tobacco, drug, alcohol addiction. When it is impossible to get rid of a depressive state for a long time, people try to free themselves by taking psychotropic substances. However, their side effects only aggravate the problem, reducing the functional characteristics of the brain.

Classification of the disease - types

There are two types of depressive states: exogenous, when the disorder is provoked by an external stimulus (stressful situation) and endogenous, when depression is caused by internal experiences, often inexplicable to the patient himself. Until quite recently, it was believed in medicine that the first type does not pose a particular danger to humans, that the condition is transitory.

The endogenous species was considered a complex disease leading to serious neurotic pathologies. Now doctors are sure that it is an external stimulus that provokes a severe disorder, and endogenous depression is characterized as a mild depressive episode.

Symptoms and signs

It is rare when a person can lift himself out of a depressed state. Basically, the disease only develops without the intervention of a specialist. Men and women tend to experience the same symptoms of depression. Conventionally, they are divided into 4 groups: mental, behavioral, physiological, emotional.

People feel a sense of sadness, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, lack of activity, and a negative outlook on the future. When a profound degree of depression develops, especially in older people, adolescents or women during pregnancy, characteristic signs of the disorder can be observed:

• lethargy;
• loss of libido;
• autonomic dysfunction;
• deterioration of self-care skills;
• idea of ​​guilt;
• somatic distress;
• suicidal tendencies;
• hallucinatory syndrome;
• difficulty communicating;
• obsessive fears.

Diagnostics

The most important factor in the treatment of depression is its diagnosis. It is very difficult to get out of depression on your own, and a person, entangled in depressive psychosis, does not know what to do. During the interview, the specialist must take into account many factors in order to prescribe adequate treatment. The defining mechanisms of psychological diagnosis are the identification of the characteristics and causes of the disease.

After determining the cause, the doctor refers the patient to biochemical diagnostics, which is based on identifying the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. This will allow us to determine which mediator is not enough to select the right series of antidepressants. To diagnose depression, there are special questionnaires that are considered psychodiagnostic scientific tools. The most popular methods:

• Beck scale.
• Methods of differential diagnosis using the Zung scale.
• Self-rating depression scale.
• Questionnaire of Depressive Conditions (DSI).
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Treatment

Based on the results of tests and biochemical diagnostics, the doctor prescribes individual psychotherapy and/or drug treatment. Doctors are confident that latent depressive syndrome (latent depression) of any stage is curable. The most effective therapy is achieved by combining medications, psychotherapy, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy. Mild depression can be treated at home. If the patient is predisposed to an acute form of mental disorder, he may be admitted to a hospital.

A person's lack of ability to cope with depression on their own requires help in the form of antidepressants. Their essence is to force the human body to produce nerve impulses that are responsible for activity, behavior, and mood. What medications do you need to take for this:

1. Tricyclic structure (Imipramine, Amitriptyline). Block the reuptake of neurotransmitters. Very strong effect and many side effects. Prescribed only on an outpatient basis for the most severe form of depression.
2. Second generation with tricyclic action (Pyrazidol, Befol), which already affects other receptors. Fewer side effects, have a sedative effect, but do not cope with severe forms of depression.
3. Third generation antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Citalopram). Affects serotonin metabolism. Corrects phobias and panic attacks. Convenient one-time use.
4. Fourth generation antidepressants (Milnacipran, Duloxetine). Selectively affect serotonin and norepinephrine without affecting other mediators.

Which doctor treats you?

Psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and neurologists help fight depression. The first ones work with the client’s thoughts and emotional experiences. Using available tools, they ask questions about how the person is feeling and provide moral support. Psychotherapists also rely on the power of words, but they work with the expansion of consciousness, teach how to overcome depression, change attitudes towards oneself, help find strength in overcoming everyday difficulties, and in rehabilitation after depression. These specialists, unlike psychologists, have the right to treat depression with antidepressants or tranquilizers.

A psychiatrist helps you get rid of moderate and most severe forms of depressive disorder. Specializes in mentally ill people. He will not conduct intimate conversations and will not require the patient to describe his condition. The work of a psychiatrist is a tough position towards the patient, who is treated mainly on an outpatient basis with the permission of the patient or his family. Neurologists deal with depressive cases that lead to neurological diseases - Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and others.

Correction methods for children and adolescents

Depressive symptoms in children are a constant apathetic state, rebellious behavior, a difficult character, insomnia, and a tired general condition. The most problematic disorders occur between the ages of 14 and 19 years. During this period, suicidal tendencies are observed; adolescents are often in a drug-induced state or after drinking alcohol. Depression does not go away on its own for everyone.

Parents have to turn to professionals for help. In medical practice, the correction of depressive disorder in adolescents is carried out through consultation or medication. As for medications, sedative tablets are prescribed (Novo-passit, Persen). If the condition worsens, the same therapy is carried out as for adults.

How to get out of depression on your own

In psychology, there are several tips for self-relieving stress. The first and main step is proper nutrition. It is necessary to introduce foods that improve your mood into your diet: chocolate, fatty fish, brightly colored vegetables and fruits, seaweed, bananas, nuts, cheese. The second step to getting out of a depressive state on your own is proper sleep. Having 7-8 hours of sleep will strengthen the nervous system.

Physical activity helps overcome depression. Even if a woman is on maternity leave in the last weeks of pregnancy, she can still spend 15-20 minutes daily for stretching or yoga. People who do not know how to think positively are susceptible to stress. It is advisable to find literature that will help you understand how to learn not to react negatively to stimuli and pay attention only to the beauty of life, and look for interests in the world around you.

Prevention

Depression is not a human weakness, but a disease that requires specialist intervention. In order not to bring yourself to visit a psychiatrist, at the first symptoms of a depressive state you need to follow simple rules:

1. Light. Depression and apathy occur mainly in the off-season, when there is little light outside. For this reason, you need to have a lot of lighting fixtures in your home. During the day, try to walk in the fresh air more often, and trying to get a depressed family member out for a walk will add to his health.
2. Movement. Motor functions release endorphins into the blood. Spend a few minutes a day doing gymnastics, and symptoms of depression will not affect you.
3. Cheerfulness. No one will diagnose you with a nervous disorder if you are always in good shape. Stimulating the body with natural remedies will help with this: rosehip decoction, herbal balms, teas, ginger.
4. beauty. Pay attention to everything beautiful, buy only bright things, keep order in your home and workplace. Take care of your body. Try to fill every moment of your life with beautiful images.
5. Future plans. Try to plan your future correctly and set your priorities. Find a hobby, new friends with similar interests. May your wishes be fulfilled!

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article we will look at such a psycho-pathological condition as depression, as well as its causes, symptoms, classification, treatment and prevention. So…

What is depression?

Depression– a mental disorder characterized by sadness (anhedonia, or loss of joy), impaired thinking and motor retardation.

One of the main and most common causes of depression is depression, or a long-term situation traumatic to the nervous system. A secondary factor or reason that leads a person to a depressive state is a person’s inability to solve certain situations and overcome various difficulties. If the main causes of depression are predominantly a problem that has arisen in the present time, then the secondary factors are a legacy from childhood, when a person, at an early age, along with his upbringing, accepts a model of his behavior for the rest of his life.

It happens that depressive disorders are hidden under the guise of a bad mood or character traits, and if these conditions are not separated and efforts are not directed toward treating depression, not only the person himself, but also the people around him may suffer from this.

A depressed person is in such a feeling state that constantly repeats “there is no way out.” But this is actually not true!!! There is always a way out, and even the most severe depression can be treated!

According to statistics, depression is present in every tenth inhabitant of the Earth over the age of 40, and 2/3 of them are women. Further, the older the person, the worse the picture, which is apparently caused by deteriorating health, social status, aging of the body, sometimes a feeling of uselessness and loneliness, and lack of work. A depressive state is also observed in 5-40% of children and adolescents under the age of 16, and therefore, this generation has a high percentage of suicides.

Depression - ICD

ICD-10: F32, F33
ICD-9: 296

People of any age and gender can experience depression. The so-called values ​​of modern society can put constant pressure on a person, which can subsequently cause depression. Among such “values” we can highlight: the desire for social well-being, fame, career advancement, the desire to be attractive, etc. If something cannot be obtained, or not received immediately, a person may fall into despair, and his experiences against this background may provoke the development of a depressive state.

Factors such as betrayal, dismissal, divorce, serious illness or death of a loved one, contempt or ridicule from others, etc. can also serve as fertile ground for the development of depression.

In rare cases, depression is possible without any reason. In such a situation, the culprit may be the characteristics of human neurochemical processes (exchange of neurotransmitters).

Today in psychiatry it is believed that the development of depression requires a complex influence on a person of 3 factors: psychological, biological And social.

Psychological factor:

There are 3 personality types that are more prone to developing depression:

• Statothymic personality (characteristic: exaggerated conscientiousness, excessive accuracy and hard work);
• melancholic personality (characteristic: pedantry, desire for order, constancy, inflated demands on oneself);
• hyperthymic personality (characteristic: self-doubt, constant worries, low self-esteem).

Biological factor:

• heredity;
• head injuries that lead to disruption of brain activity;
• hormonal disorders;
• seasonality of depressive disorder (rain, cold, heat, etc.);
• daytime fluctuations, shortening of the REM sleep phase;
• side effects of certain medications;
• (lack of vitamins in the body).

Social factor:

• chronic stress, frequent stressful situations;
• negative relationships in the family, society (school, work, university, etc.);
• strict educational measures;
• lack of love and affection from parents;
• abuse and harassment;
• significant changes in life;
• urbanization, population migration.

Main signs of depression:

Emotional:

• hopelessness, despondency, constant sadness;
• nervous tension, irritability;
• loss of interest in those things that previously gave pleasure;
• guilt;
• slow thinking, difficulty concentrating, and inability to make decisions;
• worry, anxiety, fear;
• reluctance to communicate with family and friends;

Physical:

• • fatigue and feeling of weakness;
  • melancholy in the form of a stone in the chest or a lump in the throat;
  • sleep disorders;
  • appetite disorders (resulting in weight gain or loss);

• change in taste sensations;
• distortion of colors and sounds;
• violations of a sexual nature;
• dry mouth;
• increased sweating;
• cardiopalmus;
• pupil dilation.

In severe cases, depression can be accompanied by suicidal thoughts about death.

The presence of several of the above symptoms may indicate depression. If this is detected, you should consult a psychotherapist.

Important! Some symptoms are characteristic of anxiety and other disorders, therefore, do not make a diagnosis yourself and do not self-medicate!!!

Depression must be distinguished from the normal experience of grief, which performs an adaptive function. The process of experiencing grief normally takes about 1 year, but if a person’s grief is prolonged, reactive depression may develop.

The number of types of depression is very large, and they are all diverse in their manifestations.

Here is a list of the most common types of depression:

Dysthymia. In simple terms, dysthymia is a chronic depressive mood. Characterized by bad mood, fatigue, lack of appetite and sleep. This type of depression can be observed in postpartum depression and manic-depressive psychosis.

Affective insanity. The depressive phase of dysthymia, which is also characterized by poor mood, slowed thinking and speech, and loss of appetite. Waking up in the morning, a person feels sad, anxious, becomes inactive and indifferent.

Postpartum depression. This type occurs only in women; based on the name, it is clear that the disease develops in the first months after the birth of a child, and also, perhaps, after a miscarriage or the birth of a dead fetus. It is characterized by a deep feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of joy in life. During such a period, it is difficult for a woman to care for a child.

Important! Do not confuse fatigue after childbirth and postpartum depression!!! Many women feel exhausted and overwhelmed after childbirth and suffer, but these feelings exist in parallel with the joy of the birth of the baby. This type of fatigue goes away within a couple of weeks after giving birth, while postpartum depression can last for several months.

Depressive reactions. They usually appear during life changes (moving, retiring, changing jobs, etc.). The main criterion that causes such a reaction is not so much a traumatic external situation as the experience of the changes themselves and uncertainty in the changed conditions. Often, this type of depression is based on an acute crisis of self-esteem and subconscious grievances.

Sadness reaction. This type is a complex process of painful restructuring of a person after a bereavement. Acute sadness is manifested by irritability, alienation, powerlessness, exhaustion, and upset stomach and intestines. When people react with sadness, they often experience drugs.

Melancholy (endogenous depression). The causes of this type of depression can be both real and fictitious. A person prone to melancholy sees himself as a bad person who deserves punishment. It happens that this type of reproach can be addressed to another significant person.

Depressive neurosis(reactive depressive disorder). This type of depression is also called character neurosis and/or personality depressive disorder. There are several forms of depressive neurosis, which are united by the fact that the person’s assessment of reality remains intact, and the symptoms of depression are weak or mildly expressed.

Masked depression. The peculiarity of this type of depression lies in its hidden course. Only one symptom may be present. Diagnosing this type is extremely difficult.

Bipolar disorder. Characterized by sudden mood swings. This is a complex condition in which mania leads to insomnia, hallucinations, nervous breakdowns, disorientation and attacks of paranoia.

Seasonal depression. This is a mood disorder that occurs at the same time every year. Often, seasonal depression begins in the fall or winter and ends in the early summer. One theory says that not enough sunlight leads to decreased production of serotonin in the brain, which has a calming and pain-relieving effect. As a result, a lack of serotonin leads to a depressed mood and symptoms such as fatigue, carbohydrate deficiency and weight gain. It is theoretically possible that this type of depression is also associated with insufficient intake of the required amount and microelements into the body.

Larved form (somatized). An affect of melancholy appears, often there is a syndrome of “heart melancholy” and pain in the intestines and stomach. Such somatic disorders clearly manifest themselves in the morning and are well treated with antidepressants.

Anesthetic form. In this form of depression, a person suffers from a lack of experience. The world around us loses its colors and sounds, and there is even a feeling that time has stopped.

Adynamic form. The main symptom of this type is melancholy, which is experienced indifferently. The will decreases, the person stops taking care of himself, and experiences a feeling of physical powerlessness and apathy.

Anxiety depressive disorders (agitated). It manifests itself as melancholy, which is replaced by anxiety and fears. People with this type of depression are always in anticipation of possible trouble. Anxious experiences are vague and can be inspired by external information. It is also accompanied by speech and motor excitement; a person literally cannot sit in one place. Melancholic raptus can happen to a person: the patient may start rushing down the street, screaming, squealing or lamenting, or rolling on the ground. At such moments, he becomes very dangerous both for himself and for others.

Atypical depression. This disorder is characterized by increased appetite (resulting in weight gain), increased sleepiness and increased emotional reaction to positive events.

Childhood mood disorder. This type is invisible in everyday life, but clearly manifests itself in certain situations and is detected by special tests. This is a chronic, personality-driven depressive state. Usually this disorder is a consequence of severe deprivation experienced by the child in early childhood.

Pseudo-dementia. Often found in older people, its manifestations resemble a decrease in intellectual activity. The problem of concentration of attention develops, the ability to orientate in space is impaired, and memory is also impaired. Only a specialist can distinguish this type of depression from dementia.

Stages of depression

Like other diseases, depression has several stages. Each period can last from one week to several months.

1. Rejection stage (mild). The person becomes restless and chalks everything up to bad mood and health. Interest in previous activities and hobbies disappears. Symptoms such as apathy, drowsiness, fatigue, and lack of appetite gradually accumulate. Alienation from the world begins, the desire for communication disappears, but these feelings are accompanied by the fear of loneliness. A person at this stage often finds a way out in excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, playing computer games for many hours, and watching TV for many hours.

2. Accepting stage (moderate). A person begins to understand what exactly is happening to him, refuses to eat, and because of this he rapidly loses weight. Disorders such as insomnia, impaired thinking, rapid incoherent speech, illogical statements and reasoning, and there may even be hallucinations appear. A person can no longer cope with negative thoughts on his own; he has a desire to completely end it, which leads to a high risk of suicide attempts.

3. Corrosive stage (severe). At this stage, external calm is replaced by aggressive behavior, the person no longer wants to control himself, and is capable of causing harm to himself or others. Indifference and detachment arise. The psyche begins to deteriorate; due to the long-term influence of depression, a person can even develop schizophrenia.

Diagnosis of depression

To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, the doctor performs a series of tests:

• communication with the patient (collection of information);
• general urine analysis.

There are also special questionnaires and scales for diagnosing depression.

Beck scale. The questionnaire consists of 21 questions with fixed answer options. Testing time is 20-60 minutes. Invented by an American psychiatrist, it bears his name. In use since 1961.

Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. The questionnaire consists of 20 statements, the results of which are defined in 3 scales: depressive experiences, depressive affect, somatic symptoms. Testing time is 8-10 minutes. Named after the developer. In use since 1965.

DDS (questionnaire for depressive states). The technique is based on the pattern recognition method, and there is also a lie scale. Developed at the Bekhterev Institute.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Contains 10 statements with 4 answer options. Used since 1987 thanks to scientists in Edinburgh and Livingston.

How to get rid of depression? Depending on the stage and type of depression, characteristics of the body, the presence of concomitant diseases, age and other factors, treatment for depression may include one or another set of procedures and medications.

As a rule, treatment of depression is accompanied by individual adjustments to diet and lifestyle, including physical activity.

Depression of the initial stage, mild form can be cured without drugs, with the help of psychotherapy, or mental correction of the patient’s behavior and way of thinking. Drug treatment is prescribed for moderate to severe disease, but only in combination with psychotherapy.

Non-drug treatments for depression

Psychotherapy. This is a method of verbal interaction between a patient and a specialist, which allows you to solve current internal problems, analyze the current mental state and find the most appropriate ways to resolve problematic situations. The psychotherapy program is selected individually.

Light therapy. A method of exposure to light of a certain length, which promotes the production of serotonin (the hormone of good mood), and to adjust circadian rhythms (internal biological clock). Light therapy can even relieve pain.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation. The prototype is electroconvulsive brain stimulation. This method allows non-invasively, using short magnetic pulses, to stimulate the cerebral cortex. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is used in the treatment of severe depression and produces noticeable effects.

Drug treatment for depression

Pharmacological treatment. Drug therapy for depression occurs with the help of various types of antidepressants. They reduce symptoms and reduce suicide rates.

Important! Only a doctor can prescribe medications after diagnosis. This is due to a wide variety of antidepressants, which at the chemical level affect one or another part of the brain and also cause various reactions.

Types of antidepressants

The human brain is made up of neurons (nerve cells). The transfer of information from neuron to neuron occurs through the synaptic cleft (small space between neurons) with the help of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers).

Today, science knows about 30 different mediators. Three of them are involved and related to depression: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

There is a biological theory that believes that depression develops against the background of a decrease in the concentration of transmitters in synapses. Antidepressants are necessary to regulate the concentration of mediators and restore the biochemical background in the brain that has been disrupted.

Tricyclic antidepressants. They were synthesized back in the 50s of the last century. The mechanism of action of this type of antidepressant is based on a decrease in the absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin mediators by brain neurons, as a result of which their concentration in the brain increases. Some drugs in this group have a calming effect, others have a stimulating effect.

The time for the onset of the therapeutic effect depends on the specific situation from several days to several months.

The most common side effects include: lethargy, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased sweating, decreased potency, difficulty urinating, etc.

Among the tricyclic antidepressants we can highlight: Azafen, Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Imipramine, Trimipramine, Doxepin, Dotiepin, Coaxil, Fluoracisine, Nortriptyline, etc.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO). Antidepressants of this type slow down the action of the enzyme in the nerve endings, thereby preventing the destruction of norepinephrine and serotonin. Often, MAO inhibitors are prescribed to patients who do not have the expected therapeutic effect from taking tricyclic antidepressants, as well as to patients with dysthymia and atypical depression.

The onset of therapeutic effect takes several weeks.

The most common side effects are: sleep disturbances, horse racing, weight gain, decreased potency, swelling of the limbs, rapid heartbeat.

Among the MAO inhibitors are: Befol, Melipramine, Pyrazidol, Sydnofen, Tranylcypromine.

Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors. Today, this group of drugs is the most modern class of antidepressants used in medicine. Their mechanism of action is associated with blocking the reuptake of serotonin at synapses. As a result, the concentration of the mediator increases. Such drugs act exclusively on serotonin, without affecting other neurotransmitters.

Among the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors are: Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram.

Compared with other types of antidepressants, selective serotonin uptake inhibitors have fewer side effects that are not pronounced.

Other antidepressants. There are also other groups of antidepressants that differ from the above drugs in their mechanism of action and chemical composition: Bupropion, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, Mianserin, Nefazodone.

Vitamins and minerals for depression:

In the treatment of depression, the following are also actively prescribed:

• omega-3;

Important! Before using folk remedies for treating depression, be sure to consult your doctor!

Carrot juice. Just drink freshly squeezed carrot juice. You can add an apple to the carrots in the juicer. The combination of apple and carrot is not only healthy, but also very tasty.

Peppermint. 1 tbsp. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over a spoonful of leaves, let stand for 1 hour at room temperature and strain. Take 0.5 cups morning and evening. A few mint leaves can also be added to regular tea.

Myrtle. Add myrtle flowers to regular tea. Also, rub the myrtle with your hands and inhale its aroma. You can also pour dry myrtle into cloth bags and place them in places where you spend the most time. Taking a bath with myrtle has a very beneficial effect on the nervous system. Just take a bath with myrtle leaves and flowers, and to use myrtle, it can be used both fresh and dry.

St. John's wort. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers and herbal parts with 200 ml of boiling water and let them brew for 10 minutes. Drink this tea 2-3 times a day for several months. Brew a fresh decoction each time before use. Just keep in mind that St. John's wort may reduce the potency of some medications, including medications used to treat and.

Chinese lemongrass (schizandra). Grind 10 grams of dry schizandra berries and boil in 200 ml of water. Strain and drink instead of tea. For taste, you can add sugar or sugar to this product.

You can buy a ready-made tincture of Chinese lemongrass at the pharmacy. It is recommended to use 20-30 drops 2 times a day. In severe cases, the norm can be exceeded by up to 40 drops at a time.

Passion flower (passionflower). Pour 1 teaspoon of passionflower herb into 150 ml of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes, strain and take a glass of infusion shortly before bed.

Knotweed (bird knotweed). 3 tbsp. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over spoons of knotweed grass. Let it brew for 1 hour in a warm place, strain. Take 1-2 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day.

Borago (borage). 1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of borage herb with a glass of boiling water, wrap it and leave for 2 hours in a warm place. Strain and take 0.5 cups 3 times a day before meals.

Herbal collection. Mix 2 parts of hop cones, 1 part each of flowers, root and lemon balm, pour into a coffee grinder and grind. 2 tbsp. Brew spoons of the resulting mixture with 2 cups of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes and strain. Sip throughout the day. Leave most of it in a glass for the evening to help you sleep better at night. Drink the product for 7 days.

Winter swimming. In the treatment of depressive conditions, winter swimming - bathing and dousing with cold water - has proven itself very well. Just before using these procedures, be sure to consult your doctor.

God's help

In the modern world, the cause of depression can also be spiritual problems that haunt a person for more than one year, and traditional treatment only leads to relief for a certain period of time. This is especially true if depressive and suicidal issues have arisen in other family members. In this case, it may be necessary to turn to a priest, who can instruct the person and direct him to God. There are many calls from God in the Holy Scriptures, for example, in the Gospel of John (14:27) Jesus said to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Elsewhere, in Gospel of Matthew (11:28) He said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Therefore, often when people come to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for help, the Lord answers and helps. Of course However, turning to the Lord excludes sinful behavior of a person, which could lead to depression and other problems in a person’s life. Read the Holy Scriptures, perhaps you will find something in yourself that led to the negative consequences that you currently have. May the Lord It will help you with this.

Prevention of depression

As you know, it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. There are several rules that will help you always be in a positive tone of life:

• observe the work and rest schedule. Sleep at least 8 hours a day, go to bed before midnight, preferably before 22:00;
• lead an active lifestyle, walk, ride a bike and be sure to do exercises in the morning;
• take vitamins, especially in the autumn-winter-spring period;
• eat right, avoid fast food, soda and other foods, do not get carried away with flour and confectionery products;
• do not withdraw into yourself, do not say bad words, do not express negativity towards yourself and others, love and do good;
• get rid of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs);
• If you have a job with constant nervous tension, think about maybe changing it? Nerves are worth more than money!

Which doctor should I see if I have depression?

• Psychotherapist

Video on Depression (Spiritual Perspective)

Reading time: 2 min

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by a depressive triad, which includes decreased mood, disturbances in thinking (a pessimistic view of everything that is happening around, loss of the ability to feel joy, negative judgments), and motor retardation.

Depression is accompanied by decreased self-esteem, loss of taste for life, as well as interest in usual activities. In some cases, a person experiencing depression begins to abuse alcohol, as well as other available psychotropic substances.

Depression, being a mental disorder, manifests itself as pathological affect. The disease itself is perceived by people and patients as a manifestation of laziness and bad character, as well as selfishness and pessimism. It should be borne in mind that a depressive state is not only a bad mood, but often a psychosomatic illness that requires intervention from specialists. The sooner an accurate diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the more likely success in recovery is.

The symptoms of depression can be effectively treated, despite the fact that the disease is very common among people of all ages. According to statistics, 10% of people over 40 years of age suffer from depressive disorders, two thirds of them are women. People over 65 years old suffer from mental illness three times more often. Among adolescents and children, 5% suffer from depression, and adolescence accounts for 15 to 40% of the number of young people with a high incidence of suicide.

Depression history

It is a mistake to believe that the disease is common only in our time. Many famous doctors since antiquity have studied and described this disease. In his works, Hippocrates gave a description of melancholy that is very close to a depressive state. To treat the disease, he recommended opium tincture, cleansing enemas, long warm baths, massage, fun, drinking mineral waters from the springs of Crete, rich in bromine and lithium. Hippocrates also noted the influence of weather and seasonality on the occurrence of depressive conditions in many patients, as well as improvement in condition after sleepless nights. This method was subsequently called sleep deprivation.

Causes

There are many reasons that can lead to the disease. These include dramatic experiences associated with losses (of a loved one, social position, a certain status in society, work). In this case, reactive depression occurs, which occurs as a reaction to an event, a situation from external life.

The causes of depression can manifest themselves in stressful situations (nervous breakdown) caused by physiological or psychosocial factors. In this case, the social cause of the disease is associated with a high pace of life, high competition, increased levels of stress, uncertainty in the future, social instability, and difficult economic conditions. Modern society cultivates and therefore imposes a whole series of values ​​that doom humanity to constant dissatisfaction with itself. This is a cult of physical as well as personal perfection, a cult of personal well-being and strength. Because of this, people have a hard time and begin to hide personal problems, as well as failures. If psychological as well as somatic causes of depression do not reveal themselves, then endogenous depression manifests itself.

The causes of depression are also associated with a lack of biogenic amines, which include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The reasons may be caused by sunless weather and darkened rooms. Thus, seasonal depression occurs, which occurs in autumn and winter.

The causes of depression can manifest themselves as a result of side effects of medications (benzodiazepines, corticosteroids). Often this condition disappears on its own after stopping the medication.

The depressive state caused by taking antipsychotics can last up to 1.5 years with a vital character. In some cases, the reasons lie in the abuse of sedatives and sleeping pills, cocaine, alcohol, and psychostimulants.

The causes of depression can be provoked by somatic diseases (Alzheimer's disease, influenza, traumatic brain injury, atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries).

Signs

Researchers in all countries of the world note that depression in our time exists on a par with cardiovascular diseases and is a common illness. Millions of people suffer from this disease. All manifestations of depression are different and vary depending on the form of the disease.

Signs of depression are the most common. These are emotional, physiological, behavioral, mental.

Emotional signs of depression include sadness, distress, despair; depressed, depressed mood; anxiety, feelings of internal tension, irritability, anticipation of trouble, feelings of guilt, self-blame, dissatisfaction with oneself, decreased self-esteem and confidence, loss of the ability to worry, anxiety for loved ones.

Physiological signs include changes in appetite, decreased intimate needs and energy, sleep disturbances and intestinal functions - constipation, weakness, fatigue during physical and intellectual stress, pain in the body (in the heart, in the muscles, in the stomach).

Behavioral signs include refusal to engage in goal-directed activities, passivity, loss of interest in other people, frequent solitude, refusal of entertainment, and use of alcohol and psychotropic substances.

Mental signs of depression include difficulty concentrating, concentrating, making decisions, slowness of thinking, the prevalence of gloomy and negative thoughts, a pessimistic view of the future with a lack of prospects and thoughts about the meaninglessness of one’s existence, suicide attempts due to one’s uselessness, helplessness, insignificance .

Symptoms

All symptoms of depression, according to ICD-10, were divided into typical (main) and additional. Depression is diagnosed when two main symptoms are present and three additional symptoms are present.

Typical (main) symptoms of depression are:

Depressed mood, which does not depend on external circumstances, lasting two weeks or more;

Persistent fatigue for a month;

Anhedonia, which is characterized by loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

Additional symptoms of the disease:

Pessimism;

Feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, guilt, or fear;

Inability to make decisions and concentrate;

Low self-esteem;

Thoughts about death or suicide;

Decreased or increased appetite;

Sleep disorders, manifested in insomnia or oversleeping.

The diagnosis of depression is made when symptoms last for more than two weeks. However, the diagnosis is established even after a shorter period with severe symptoms.

As for childhood depression, according to statistics it is much less common than in adults.

Symptoms of childhood depression: loss of appetite, nightmares, problems with school performance, the appearance of aggressiveness, alienation.

Kinds

There are unipolar depressions, which are characterized by preservation of mood within the reduced pole, as well as bipolar depressions, accompanied by bipolar affective disorder with manic or mixed affective episodes. Depressive states of minor severity can occur with cyclothymia.

The following forms of unipolar depression are distinguished: clinical depression or major depressive disorder; resistant depression; minor depression; atypical depression; postnatal (postpartum) depression; recurrent transient (autumn) depression; dysthymia.

You can often find in medical sources such an expression as vital depression, which means the vital nature of the disease with the presence of melancholy and anxiety, felt by the patient at the physical level. For example, melancholy is felt in the solar plexus area.

It is believed that vital depression develops cyclically and does not arise from external influences, but without cause and inexplicably for the patient himself. This course is typical for the disease bipolar or endogenous depression.

In a narrow sense, vital depression is called melancholy depression, in which melancholy and despair are manifested.

These types of diseases, despite their severity, are favorable because they can be successfully treated with antidepressants.

Vital depressions are also considered to be depressive states with cyclothymia with manifestations of pessimism, melancholy, despondency, depression, and dependence on the circadian rhythm.

The depressive state is initially accompanied by weak signals, manifested in problems with sleep, refusal to perform duties, and irritability. If symptoms intensify within two weeks, depression develops or relapses, but it fully manifests itself after two (or later) months. There are also one-time attacks. If left untreated, depression can lead to suicide attempts, refusal of many life functions, alienation, and family breakup.

Depression in neurology and neurosurgery

If the tumor is localized in the right hemisphere of the temporal lobe, melancholy depression with motor slowness and retardation is observed.

Melancholy depression can be combined with olfactory, as well as autonomic disorders and taste hallucinations. Patients are very critical of their condition and have a hard time experiencing their illness. Those suffering from this condition have reduced self-esteem, their voice is quiet, they are in a dejected state, the rate of speech is slow, patients quickly get tired, speak with pauses, complain of memory loss, but accurately reproduce events and dates.

Localization of the pathological process in the left temporal lobe is characterized by the following depressive states: anxiety, irritability, motor restlessness, tearfulness.

Symptoms of anxious depression are combined with aphasic disorders, as well as delusional hypochondriacal ideas with verbal auditory hallucinations. Sick people constantly change position, sit down, stand up, and get up again; They look around, sigh, and peer into the faces of their interlocutors. Patients talk about their fears of foreboding trouble, cannot relax voluntarily, and have poor sleep.

Depression in traumatic brain injury

When a traumatic brain injury occurs, melancholy depression occurs, which is characterized by slow speech, impaired speech rate, attention, and the appearance of asthenia.

When a moderate traumatic brain injury occurs, anxious depression occurs, which is characterized by motor restlessness, anxious statements, sighs, and tossing around.

With bruises of the frontal anterior parts of the brain, apathetic depression occurs, which is characterized by the presence of indifference with a tinge of sadness. Patients are characterized by passivity, monotony, loss of interest in others and in themselves. They look indifferent, lethargic, hypomimic, indifferent.

A concussion in the acute period is characterized by hypothymia (sustained decrease in mood). Often, 36% of patients in the acute period experience anxious subdepression, and asthenic subdepression in 11% of people.

Diagnostics

Early detection of cases of the disease is complicated by the fact that patients try to keep silent about the occurrence of symptoms, since most people are afraid of being prescribed antidepressants and their side effects. Some patients mistakenly believe that it is necessary to keep emotions under control, and not transfer them to the shoulders of the doctor. Some individuals fear that information about their condition will leak out at work, while others are terrified of being referred for consultation or treatment to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Diagnosis of depression includes conducting questionnaire tests to identify symptoms: anxiety, anhedonia (loss of pleasure in life), suicidal tendencies.

Treatment

Scientific research has psychological factors that help stop subdepressive states. To do this, you need to remove negative thinking, stop focusing on negative moments in life and start seeing good things in the future. It is important to change the tone of communication in the family to be friendly, without critical judgment and conflict. Maintain and establish warm, trusting contacts that will act as emotional support for you.

Not every patient needs to be hospitalized; treatment is also carried out effectively on an outpatient basis. The main directions of therapy in treatment are psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, social therapy.

Cooperation and trust in the doctor are noted as a necessary condition for the effectiveness of treatment. It is important to strictly follow the prescribed treatment regimen, visit your doctor regularly, and give a detailed report of your condition.

It is better to entrust the treatment of depression to a specialist; we recommend professionals from the Alliance mental health clinic (https://cmzmedical.ru/)

The support of your immediate environment is important for a speedy recovery, but you should not plunge into a depressive state together with the patient. Explain to the patient that depression is only an emotional state that will pass over time. Avoid criticism of patients, involve them in useful activities. With a protracted course, spontaneous recovery occurs very rarely and the percentage is up to 10% of all cases, while the return to a depressive state is very high.

Pharmacotherapy includes treatment with antidepressants, which are prescribed for their stimulating effect. In the treatment of melancholy, deep or apathetic depressive state, Imipramine, Clomipramine, Tsipramil, Paroxetine, Fluoxetine are prescribed. In the treatment of subpsychotic conditions, Pyrazidol and Desipramine are prescribed to relieve anxiety.

Anxious depression with moody irritability and constant restlessness is treated with sedative antidepressants. Severe anxious depression with suicidal intentions and thoughts is treated with Amitriptyline. Minor depression with anxiety is treated with Ludiomil, Azefen.

If antidepressants are poorly tolerated, as well as with high blood pressure, Coaxil is recommended. For mild to moderate depression, herbal preparations, such as Hypericin, are used. All antidepressants have a very complex chemical composition and therefore act differently. Taking them reduces the feeling of fear and prevents the loss of serotonin.

Antidepressants are prescribed directly by a doctor and are not recommended to be taken on your own. The effect of many antidepressants appears two weeks after administration; their dosage for the patient is determined individually.

After the cessation of symptoms of the disease, the drug must be taken for 4 to 6 months, and according to recommendations, for several years in order to avoid relapses, as well as withdrawal syndrome. Incorrect selection of antidepressants can provoke a worsening of the condition. A combination of two antidepressants, as well as a potentiation strategy, including the addition of another substance (Lithium, thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants, estrogens, Buspirone, Pindolol, folic acid, etc.) can be effective in treatment. Studies in the treatment of mood disorders with Lithium have shown that the number of suicides is reduced.

Psychotherapy in the treatment of depressive disorders has successfully proven itself in combination with psychotropic drugs. For patients with mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy is effective for psychosocial, as well as intrapersonal, interpersonal problems and related disorders.

Behavioral psychotherapy teaches patients to engage in enjoyable activities and eliminate unpleasant and painful ones. Cognitive psychotherapy is combined with behavioral techniques that identify cognitive distortions of a depressive nature, as well as thoughts that are overly pessimistic and painful, interfering with useful activity.

Interpersonal psychotherapy treats depression as a medical illness. Her goal is to teach patients social skills, as well as the ability to control mood. Researchers note the same effectiveness with interpersonal psychotherapy, as well as with cognitive therapy in comparison with pharmacotherapy.

Interpersonal therapy, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, provide relapse prevention after the acute period. After the use of cognitive therapy, those suffering from depression experience a relapse of the disorder much less frequently than after the use of antidepressants and are resistant to the decrease in tryptophan, which precedes serotonin. However, on the other hand, the effectiveness of psychoanalysis itself does not significantly exceed the effectiveness of drug treatment.

Treatment of depression is also carried out by acupuncture, music therapy, hypnotherapy, art therapy, meditation, aromatherapy, magnetotherapy. These adjuvant methods must be combined with rational pharmacotherapy. An effective treatment for any type of depression is light therapy. It is used for seasonal depression. The duration of treatment is from half an hour to one hour, preferably in the morning. In addition to artificial lighting, it is possible to use natural sunlight at sunrise.

For severe, prolonged and resistant depressive states, electroconvulsive therapy is used. Its purpose is to cause controlled seizures that occur by passing an electrical current through the brain for 2 seconds. Chemical changes in the brain release substances that improve mood. The procedure is carried out using anesthesia. In addition, to avoid injury, the patient receives medications that relax the muscles. The recommended number of sessions is 6-10. Negative aspects are temporary loss of memory, as well as orientation. Studies have shown that this method is 90% effective.

A non-drug treatment for depression and apathy is sleep deprivation. Complete sleep deprivation is characterized by spending time without sleep all night, as well as the next day.

Partial night sleep deprivation involves waking the patient between 1 and 2 am, and then staying awake for the rest of the day. However, it has been noted that after a single sleep deprivation procedure, relapses are observed after the establishment of normal sleep.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by new approaches to therapy. These include transcranial magnetic stimulation of the vagus nerve, deep brain stimulation and magnetic convulsive therapy.

Doctor of the Medical and Psychological Center "PsychoMed"

The information presented in this article is intended for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional advice and qualified medical care. If you have the slightest suspicion of depression, be sure to consult your doctor!