Sadness, sorrow, hopelessness and the blackness that gradually permeates a person's entire life.
That is a depression.
Sure you've heard a lot about this disease, you may well have said yourself that you're depressed.
But the depression isn't just a bad mood, it is a disease that belongs to the hands of an expert.
Do you know that...
…. depression affects roughly 20% of the adult population, most often between the ages of 20 and 40?
…. it is more diagnosed to women than men at 2:1?
…. depression symptoms can be weather-dependent? The most depressive tuning occurs in autumn and the least manifests in the summer months.
….about 8-15% of patients, can develop delusions and hallucinations? For example, the sick hear voices that constantly criticize and accuse them.
Actually, how does depression arise?
It is impossible to say for sure what causes depression. It is a merging of hereditary predispositions with development-related changes and current stress factors (somatic and psychosocial in nature). Patients experience a change in brain structure and function. Depression can also occur as a response to a long-suffering psychological burden that man cannot deal with alone (failure at work, marital problems, fear of autonomy on the cusp of adulthood).
How do I find out I have a depression?
People with the disease suffer from the following symptoms:
· a pathological depressive mood that doesn't match reality
· indifference to what's going on around them
· don't feel happiness
· concentration on black thoughts
· pessimistic vision of the world around
· feeling like nothing makes sense anymore
· fatigue
· slow-motion reactions
· bad memory (they can't remember on something they need)
· paleness
· feeling incompetent and inferior
A depression without depression?
You haven't been feeling well lately, especially in the morning. You're tired, your joints hurt, your head hurts and you feel sick.
Probably the flu, you say. But the conditions do not improve after a few days, rather the opposite.
The headache is unbearable, adding back pain.
And so you go to see a doctor. He'll examine you, but everything seems fine. But he'll rather send you for various examinations.
Nothing proved there either? You try again, another examination, a more thorough examination.
And the pain still lingers, the medication doesn't work and the doctor doesn't know what to do with you.
Larvae depression is atypical depression, often also referred to as depression of the body, or depression without depression.
For one simple reason, which we mentioned earlier in the article's introduction.
There is a lack of typical psychological manifestations of depression.
Either they simply aren't, or they can't be detected until a psychological/psychiatric examination.
A manifestation of larvae depression can be any physical symptom/disease that has no proven cause and doctors cannot diagnose it.
Here we face a stumbling block. Indeed, often the body's depression is underestimated or overlooked by doctors.
The patient is thus considered a hypochondriac who invents his or her difficulties. But he doesn't invent, they really bother him.
They just don't originate on a body plane.
Who will help with depression?
A psychiatrist...
It is a good idea to seek out a psychiatrist in connection with severe depression, when the person has a problem with carrying out everyday activities, perhaps with the already mentioned morning getting out of bed. Thoughts of suicide can also occur and a person is completely consumed by depression. Medication should be used in such cases.
A psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressants or anxiolytics. Hospitalisation may also be suggested during a particularly severe course.
A psychiatrist is the one who can diagnose depression.
A psychologist...
If you suffer from depression with a lighter course, or if you suffer from persistent feelings of sadness and discomfort, try to see a psychologist.
While prescribed medication by a psychiatrist primarily helps to alleviate symptoms, the psychologist's therapeutic methods look for causes of depression and work with the client to eliminate them. You can talk to a psychologist about your feelings, about living with depression, and together you will look for new possibilities, work to regain your self-confidence - in short, you will devote yourself to everything you experience.
Below, you can directly schedule a consultation with one of the specialized psychologists who focus on depression.
Psychologist also psychiatrist!
It would be ideal if the psychologist and psychiatrist worked together. It means, if you have a possibility, you can visit both of those speacialists.
A psychiatrist will assess the need for medication and, if so, prescribe it.
Medication can make you feel better, help you to build up your strength, and give you more energy and appetite to work with a psychologist to work with in turn other aspects of your illness.
What can you do for yourself?
It is very important to get enough sleep. Try to sleep at least 7 hours a day, in calm setting. If you can't fall asleep, try a relaxing bath before bed with a variety of relaxing herbs (passionflower, saffron, valerian, St. John's wort, etc.) or drink lemon balm tea.
Take advantage of the rest of the sunny days and don't sit indoors. You'd better take a walk into a nature.
Plenty of exercise also plays a big role in psychological well-being. Lying on the couch under a blanket is tempting, but it won't do the body or the psyche any good in the long run.
So at least once a day, get some stretches, preferably on the fresh air.
Don't forget your vitamin intake, try to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Especially in the wet months, an increased supply of vitamin C and D is important for the body, which strengthens your defences and helps maintain energy.
When everywhere around you is a dusk and the sun is not in a sight, fight it your way.
Surround yourself with colours, whether happy home accessories, sheets, or colorful clothing.
Remember to enjoy the small things. Play your favourite music during cooking, watch your favourite movie in the evening, go to the theater or just sit with your friends.
At the weekend, try to relax or go in for your hobbies.
You should grab a few moments for yourself, too. The hustle of duties and the coming marathon of work parties must sometimes be stopped.
Try to just be there for a while, not think about anything, not deal with anything.
You'll see that even five minutes of lying on the couch and deep breathing is worth half an hour's sleep.
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