A huge number of studies conducted by specialists from different countries show that today, depression has become one of the most common diseases. Depression affects millions of people around the world, and in developed countries their number reaches 20%.
Depression is a very serious illness that usually brings problems to both the sufferer and his family. The patient's ability to work is greatly reduced. Unfortunately, many people do not have a complete understanding of the manifestations and possible consequences of depression. It is very important to recognize the disease in the early stages, when it has not yet taken on a neglected character. Most countries have dedicated support and treatment services for depression. There is a wide public awareness about how to deal with it. Let's try to learn more about the treatment and diagnosis of depression.
How does the disease manifest itself?
Diagnosing depression and anxiety starts with identifying signs of illness. It can manifest itself in various forms. It is worth knowing the main signs of such a disorder. Emotional manifestations include the following:
- Feeling of longing, depression and oppression.
- Increased irritability.
- The appearance of self-doubt and their actions.
- Very often depressive manifestations are combined with anxiety about he alth.
- The ability to enjoy is lost.
Physiological manifestations of depression:
- Loss of appetite.
- Pain in the body.
- Various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Sleep disturbance.
In the differential diagnosis of depression, behavioral manifestations are expressed as:
- increase in alcohol consumption;
- tendencies to avoid society and contact with it;
- passive behavior.
In order to confidently make a diagnosis of depression, you must have a certain part of the symptoms from this list.
Main types of depression
As a rule, various prolonged stresses or deeply traumatic incidents are the causes of depression. Although, it sometimes appears for no apparent reason. The presence of various diseases of human organs, for example, problems in the work of the heart, intestines and others, seriously complicates the treatment. But, if in time to apply forWith the help of a specialist, you can significantly improve your physical and mental well-being.
In some people, the disease can be chronic, manifesting itself throughout life. There may be exacerbations after sudden traumatic events. In rare cases, depression is limited to physical symptoms only. Methods for diagnosing depression are quite diverse. Each psychotherapist is guided by the most suitable methods for identifying the causes and only then prescribes therapy.
Bio-psycho-social model of depression
According to this view, the root of depression lies in a combination of various biological, psychological and social factors.
Biological factors that cause depression usually include various disturbances in the functioning of neurochemical processes.
Multiple studies have identified the following psychological factors for depression:
- Fixation on negative and negative life phenomena.
- Constant criticism and conflict in communication.
- Increased levels of various stress conditions.
- Lack of many trust relationships
Due to the increased pace of life that has occurred in recent decades, instability in society, an increased number of all kinds of stressful situations and constant economic crises, there has been an increase in the number of people suffering from depression.
Today, society is constantly cultivatinga whole range of values that make a person hate and doom himself to loneliness. Among these values, the following type stands out: the cult of physical strength and violent superiority over other people,
Treatment for depression
Treatment for depression usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Before proceeding to it, a diagnosis of depression is carried out - a test. It shows the most visible signs of the disease. Treatment with medication is usually given to patients who have mild to moderate depressive symptoms. In order for the treatment to be successful, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician and visit him regularly with a report on his condition. In most cases, with the right therapy, all depressive symptoms can be eliminated.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are virtually the only class of drugs used to treat depression. Thanks to the development of the pharmaceutical industry, new types of antidepressants appear on the drug market every year. They undoubtedly have a number of advantages compared to their counterparts produced in the middle of the last century. The new generation of antidepressants have reduced side effects, significantly improved tolerance and reduced negative effects on the body by several times.
The required dose of antidepressants is calculated by the attending physician, notyou need to try to determine it yourself, this can cause not too pleasant consequences. Antidepressants are safe when taken under medical supervision, of course.
A large number of studies prove the high effectiveness of these drugs, but you need to remember that the effect occurs only after prolonged use of the drug, you should not expect instant results. Unlike various tranquilizers, antidepressants do not cause a feeling of addiction in the patient.
Psychotherapy
At its core, psychotherapy represents a very important addition to the main method of treatment, in contrast to which, psychotherapy assumes a more significant role for the patient in this process. She helps patients learn to regulate their emotions so that they can effectively deal with various crisis situations in the future.
The most effective psychiatric treatments for depression are the following types.
Psychodynamic and behavioral therapy
Psychodynamic therapy, according to which the main cause of depressive disorders are internal conflicts, which include the desire to be independent and the simultaneous desire to have a large amount of support. Another typical problem is the presence of intense anger, resentment towards the people around, combined with the need to always be kind, good and keep the goodwill of loved ones.
The beginning of these problems lie inthe patient's life history, which can be the subject of analysis in psychodynamic therapy. In any particular case, there may be a unique content of conflicting experiences, and therefore personal psychotherapeutic work is needed. The meaning of such treatment is to understand the conflict by the patient and help in its constructive resolution: to learn to find a balance of independence and intimacy, to develop the ability to constructively express their feelings.
Behavioral psychotherapy is used to resolve the patient's existing problems, among which are: passive behavior, a monotonous lifestyle and protecting a person from the society around him.
Cognitive Psychotherapy
This look combines all the advantages of these two approaches. This method consists in working with certain life problems and behavioral signs of depression and working with their internal psychological sources. The main reason for the development of depression is considered negative thoughts, which are manifested in the tendency of patients with depression to view everything that happened to them in a negative light. To change the existing way of thinking, it is necessary to carry out very thorough work, which will be aimed at developing an optimistic outlook on life.
After undergoing a course of cognitive psychotherapy, the risk of re-depression is halved.
