Symptoms of depression - Why early recognition is important
Depression is not a transient state of moodiness and passivity, but it is a serious illness that needs to be treated. It affects the overall life of patients, but also has a significant impact on the social environment. Healing never comes overnight, but persistence is required, and the more a patient knows about depression, the easier it will be to be an equal partner in overcoming it.
credit: third party image referenceThe main features of depression.
Depression is a disease known since ancient times, so its name comes from the Latin language, from the Latin word deprimere , which means to suppress, press or sink. In depression, mood is suppressed and just such a pathologically lowered mood is the basic feature of this condition. Mood swings in depression can occur for no apparent reason or in obvious mismatch with a potential cause.
In general, depressive disorder is characterized by episodes of depressive mood that can recur throughout life, so we speak of recurrent depressive disorder. The main symptoms are sad, ie low mood, loss of energy, loss of interest and pleasure, loss of appetite and sleep, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. In addition to losing the joy of living, depression brings with it a loss of ability to work.
Theories of depression
The onset of depression has only been partially elucidated and is explained by a number of biopsychosocial theories. What is known is the fact that depression is more common in some families and in blood relatives of people with depression. The risk of developing this disorder in the families of patients is 2-3 times higher than in the general population. This indicates a genetic background in the development of depressive disorder. Research on the role of heredity in the development of depression so far shows the involvement of many genes that increase the risk of developing depression. The development of depression thus depends on genetic predisposition, but also on environmental influences.
credit: third party image referenceThe biological basis of depression is represented by changes in the metabolism of chemical molecules - neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine), as well as the number and sensitivity of structures on which neurotransmitters act - receptors. It is these neurotransmitter systems that are the site of action of antidepressants. Behavioural theory, on the other hand, speaks of depression in people with a lack of social and problem-solving skills, who repeatedly experience a negative reaction from the environment and who lack self-reinforcement (personal praise and rewards for positive behaviour).
Cognitive models of depression start from the assumption of distorted thinking, that is, negative thinking about oneself, the world and the future. Psychodynamic theories view depression as inward-looking anger, underpinned by actual or imagined loss; and negative emotions result in feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness, meaning symptoms typical of depression. Stress plays an important role in social theories, so a connection has been found between the loss of one of the parents before the age of 11 and the development of depression in adulthood.
Today, we consider depression to be a biopsychosocial disorder. It occurs in individuals who have a greater or lesser innate predisposition to the occurrence of depression, and adverse and stressful events favour the development of the disease. It is important to emphasize here that depression is a disease, with its genetic and biological characteristics. Thus, depression is not a transient state of moodiness and passivity - it is a serious illness that needs to be treated. Most people have experienced days of lower mood, when they feel bad and listless, but if those mood swings are transient and do not significantly interfere with a person’s functionality, then it is not depression. Depression is a strong mood disorder that does not stop or comes back for no reason; in other words, in depression it is difficult or impossible to work, socialize, study, sleep and / or eat.
credit: third party image referenceIncidence of depression in the population.
Women are more likely than men to get it in a 2: 1 ratio, but the exact reason for this is not known. Depression most often occurs in the forties, but can begin as early as adolescence, as well as in old age. In any case, there is a steady increase in the number of patients, and it is increasingly common among younger people. Today, it is believed that in 2020, depression will become the second world health problem.
The life risk for developing depression is 10-15% (depending on the type and method of research). This specifically means that 10-15% of people will suffer from depression during their lifetime. As depression most often occurs in middle age, it affects the working population of the skin, thus creating significant economic losses. This does not only mean the costs of treatment, but also the indirect costs of using sick leave and lower productivity.
Depression is also more common in people with certain physical illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetics, after a stroke and the like. In such patients, the quality of life is poorer and the outcome of physical illness is worse, compared to patients who are not depressed. For example, in diabetics, depression is associated with poorer self-care (including taking medication, adhering to a diet, physical activity, and monitoring blood glucose levels).
Symptoms of depression
Depression affects the entire life of the patient, but also his environment. It causes significant marital, family, professional and social difficulties. Clinical depression, which requires treatment, is quite different from the transient mood swings that most people experience as a normal reaction caused by a certain loss. In persons with normal sadness, concentration and the ability to experience pleasure are maintained; such people can enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Depressed patients, on the other hand, are sad and hopeless, plagued by guilt, believe they have disappointed other people, and are a burden to family members. They can be irritable, anxious and tense, avoid socializing and withdraw into themselves. Their feelings are numb, numb, and they no longer enjoy the activities they once enjoyed. They lose interests, they have no energy, everything is difficult and hard for them, they give up their usual activities and hobbies. In addition, they have difficulty concentrating and have poor memory. They are preoccupied with their bad feelings, exaggerate problems, and diminish problem-solving opportunities. Physical functions are also disturbed - sleep is poor and restless, appetite and libido are weakened (although in some people the appetite is increased). Worsening of depression in the morning is typical. Many do not believe in the possibility of healing,
Furthermore, severely depressed patients are sometimes so passive and withdrawn that they neglect personal hygiene. Some people suffer from an intense sense of hopelessness, which leads to thinking about death or even planning suicide. The presence of an elaborate suicide plan and talking about such intentions is a serious warning. Such conversations with a depressed patient should not be neglected, but medical help should be sought immediately