How to get out of depression? Depression. Causes, symptoms, treatment of the disease Psychological, neurological and vegetative-somatic signs of depression

The nature of depression can vary. It is believed that this disease can be transmitted genetically. Sometimes it occurs in entire families, but this does not necessarily mean that if one of your parents suffers from this problem, you will certainly have it too. In this case, not only hereditary factors can affect, but also simply living in the same family with a person or several of its members suffering from this disease. The general microclimate in the family, the formation of a pessimistic-depressive worldview, distrust towards people, etc. - all this can ultimately lead to the emergence of a stable form of this condition.

Modern scientists have come to the conclusion that the development of depression is facilitated by genetic, mental and biochemical factors, taken together or separately, as well as various unforeseen life circumstances.

It is widely believed that older people whose desires do not correspond to theirs are more susceptible to depression. physical abilities, does not find proper confirmation. Recent research by scientists shows that young, active and ambitious people are increasingly beginning to suffer from this disease.

Depressive disorder can manifest itself in a person who has experienced some kind of life drama: the death of a loved one, physical injury, loss of a job. Depression can also occur due to fatigue and overwork; this illness is often found among excellent students and workaholics.

Treatments for Depression

In Russian society, unfortunately, depression is not considered a serious illness. All its manifestations are characterized as melancholy, laziness, negative thinking, weakness of will, etc. As a result, a person suffering from a depressive disorder often finds himself backed into a corner with such labels from others as a whiner, a slacker, a coward, etc. Not realizing the seriousness of the situation, sick people are in no hurry to go to the doctor: according to statistics, less than 40% of those suffering from this disease turn to professionals. Most likely, this is also the reason why so many suicides occur in Russia.

In fact, depression is no less serious a disease than, for example, hypertension or gastritis, and requires full and immediate treatment. The sooner it starts, the higher the likelihood quick disposal from this illness. It is important to note that self-medication is extremely undesirable here, and in some cases is simply unacceptable.

Biochemical brain disorders are effectively eliminated with special drugs - antidepressants. Modern medications that are correctly selected by the attending physician are not addictive, even when taken for a long time. Psychological depressions are worked through and effectively eliminated during psychotherapy sessions. Therefore, the greatest effectiveness was shown using a combination of medication and psychotherapeutic methods.

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 reasons depression is, or long-term traumatic nervous system situation. 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 fails to be obtained, or is not obtained 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 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 some medicines;
• (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;
• slowed 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;
• rapid heartbeat;
• 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. If we talk in simple language, 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.

Manic-depressive psychosis. 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 changes in life (moving, retirement, 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. People who experience sadness often engage in alcohol and drug abuse.

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 experiences. The world around us loses colors and sounds, 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 distinguished by increased appetite (resulting in weight gain), increased drowsiness 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. alcoholic drinks, spending many hours playing computer games, 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 high risk 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 urinalysis.

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, the characteristics of the body, the presence 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 depression occurs through various types 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.

Among side effects Most often observed: 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 use folk remedies For treatment of 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 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 either fresh or dry.

St. John's wort. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers and herbal parts 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 modern world, the cause of depression can also be spiritual problems that haunt a person for more than one year, but 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. However, turning to the Lord excludes a person’s sinful behavior, which could lead to depression and other problems in a person’s life. Read. scriptures, perhaps you will find something in yourself that led to those negative consequences that you currently have. May the Lord 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)

Ph.D. A.B. Kholmogorova, Ph.D. T.V. Dovzhenko, Ph.D. N.G. Garanyan Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation Previous conversation The most important thing Get rid of fear and anxiety Spiritual Weapons Against Fear It is in churchliness that a person finds peace, tranquility, and confidence. It’s different for everyone, but for myself I know for sure that before I came to the Church, before I became a conscious believer, by my nature I was inclined to worry, to worry, and the state of anxiety, expectation of change for the worse was very characteristic of me. I remember that I often could not escape this anxious state. But with my joining the church, when I first became simply a believer, received baptism, began to read prayers, go to church, and confess, this state went away. To say that now that I am already a priest, anxiety is completely unusual for me would be untrue. It happens that I worry and worry about things that I shouldn’t worry about, but this is completely different, incommensurate with how it was before. Fear and anxiety increase in a person if he generally feels wrong, bad, unpromising. If he unconsciously expects that he can be condemned, caught in wrongdoing, in failure. And our psyche is structured in such a way that it is not afraid of any accusation, but only of the one for which, as it seems to it, there are grounds. If you ask a mathematics professor: “Did you even study the multiplication tables?”, he will smile and say: “You know, I was probably sick that quarter.” If you say this to a poor student, he will turn red. – a mental disorder manifested by a persistent decrease in mood, motor retardation and impaired thinking. The cause of development may be psychotraumatic situations, somatic diseases, substance abuse, metabolic disorders in the brain or lack of bright light (seasonal depression). The disorder is accompanied by a decrease in self-esteem, social maladjustment, loss of interest in usual activities, one’s own life and surrounding events. The diagnosis is established on the basis of complaints, medical history, results of special tests and additional studies. Treatment – ​​pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy. General information affective disorder, accompanied by persistent depressed mood, negative thinking and slow movement. It is the most common mental disorder. According to recent studies, the likelihood of developing depression during your lifetime ranges from 22 to 33%. Experts in the field mental health indicate that these figures reflect official statistics only. Some patients suffering from this disorder either do not see a doctor at all, or make their first visit to a specialist only after the development of secondary and concomitant disorders. Peaks of incidence occur in adolescence and the second half of life. The prevalence of depression at the age of 15-25 years is 15-40%, at the age of over 40 years - 10%, at the age of over 65 years - 30%. Women suffer one and a half times more often than men. Affective disorder aggravates the course of other mental disorders and somatic diseases, increases the risk of suicide, and can provoke alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse. Treatment of depression is carried out by psychiatrists, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists. Causes of depression In approximately 90% of cases, the cause of the development of an affective disorder is acute psychological trauma or chronic stress. Depression that occurs as a result of psychological trauma is called reactive. Reactive disorders are provoked by divorce, death or serious illness of a loved one, disability or serious illness of the patient himself, dismissal, conflicts at work, retirement, bankruptcy, a sharp drop in the level of financial security, moving, etc. In some cases, depression occurs “on the wave of success,” when an important goal is achieved. Experts explain such reactive disorders as a sudden loss of meaning in life due to the lack of other goals. Neurotic depression (depressive neurosis) develops against the background of chronic stress. As a rule, in such cases, the specific cause of the disorder cannot be established - the patient either finds it difficult to name the traumatic event, or describes his life as a chain of failures and disappointments. Patients suffering from depression complain of headaches, pain in the heart, joints, stomach and intestines, but upon additional examinations, somatic pathology is either not detected or does not correspond to the intensity and nature of the pain. Typical signs of depression are disorders in the sexual sphere. Sexual desire is significantly reduced or lost. In women, menstruation stops or becomes irregular, and in men, impotence often develops. As a rule, with depression there is a decrease in appetite and weight loss. In some cases (with atypical affective disorder), on the contrary, there is an increase in appetite and an increase in body weight. Sleep disturbances are manifested by early awakenings. During the day, patients with depression feel sleepy and unrested. The circadian sleep-wake rhythm may be distorted (drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night). Some patients complain that they cannot sleep at night, while relatives claim the opposite - such a discrepancy indicates a loss of the sense of sleep. Diagnosis and treatment of depression The diagnosis is made based on medical history, patient complaints and special tests to determine the level of depression. To make a diagnosis, you must have at least two symptoms of the depressive triad and at least three additional symptoms, which include guilt, pessimism, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, decreased self-esteem, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, and suicidal thoughts and intentions. If the presence of somatic diseases is suspected, a patient suffering from depression is referred for consultation to a therapist, neurologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist and other specialists (depending on the existing symptoms). The list of additional studies is determined by general practitioners. Treatment of minor, atypical, recurrent, postpartum depression and dysthymia is usually carried out on an outpatient basis. If the disorder is severe, hospitalization may be required. The treatment plan is drawn up individually; depending on the type and severity of depression, only psychotherapy or psychotherapy in combination with pharmacotherapy is used. The basis of drug therapy are antidepressants. For lethargy, antidepressants with a stimulating effect are prescribed; for anxious depression, sedatives are used. The response to antidepressants depends both on the type and severity of depression and on the individual characteristics of the patient. On initial stages pharmacotherapy, psychiatrists and psychotherapists sometimes have to replace the drug due to insufficient antidepressant effect or pronounced side effects. A decrease in the severity of depression symptoms is observed only 2-3 weeks after starting antidepressants, so initial stage For treatment, patients are often prescribed tranquilizers. Tranquilizers are prescribed for a period of 2-4 weeks, the minimum period of taking antidepressants is several months. Psychotherapeutic treatment for depression may include individual, family, and group therapy. They use rational therapy, hypnosis, Gestalt therapy, art therapy, etc. Psychotherapy is supplemented with other non-drug treatment methods. Patients are referred to exercise therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy. In the treatment of seasonal depression good effect achieved through the use of light therapy. For resistant (not treatable) depression, electroconvulsive therapy and sleep deprivation are used in some cases. The prognosis is determined by the type, severity and cause of depression. Reactive disorders generally respond well to treatment. At neurotic depression there is a tendency to a protracted or chronic course. The condition of patients with somatogenic affective disorders is determined by the characteristics of the underlying disease. Endogenous depression does not respond well to non-drug therapy; with the correct selection of drugs, in some cases stable compensation is observed. There are days with a bad mood, and there are just great days. And it happens that life becomes tense, some kind of battle, a struggle for survival. Troubles and problems give way to sunny days and vice versa... And it seems that this is how it should be... But it shouldn't be like that! And so that life becomes more controllable to you, so that there are more sunny and bright days in it, we wrote this article. So, how to cope with depression if it exists, or how to find the source where it comes from? First we turn to our surroundings. Because we live in a world of people, and we are influenced by those with whom we are somehow connected and with whom we communicate. Just look through it for now. How to look - analyze, are there such people in your environment and how strongly are you connected with them? If we compare our life and communication with other people, it is like communicating vessels. From us, something flows to others, and from others, something flows to us. And if “living water” flows from you, and poisoned water comes to you in exchange, then this will poison both you and your “water” inside you and will lead to trouble. It is very important to understand that there are people - who enliven you with their presence or communication, they also bring to you good mood and bring good luck to you. Remember such cases. Who were these people? And where are they now? Do you communicate with them now? And also remember those who spoiled your mood, who poured negativity on you, instilled uncertainty and anxiety in you. Who involved you in some things that you later began to regret... Are there such people around now? And how much attention do you pay to communicating with them? Watch the video above again. And analyze all aspects of your life, for the presence of positive and negative people. So, the truth is simple, and it consists in the fact that a balloon lifts into the sky, but a stone tied to its foot drags it to the bottom! By choosing those with whom you associate and with whom you associate, you are choosing either heaven or hell. It's that simple. And, to further understand the essence of people’s values ​​and begin to understand them even better, watch our next video. It is associated with the ability to predict people's behavior and immediately determine their value: This is how you can understand people using this simple knowledge. You can learn to apply this information in life absolutely free. And this can be done here: Again, this information comes down to who is next to you and who you are trying to move through life with towards your goals. And this is why there can be so many problems and troubles in life. It is difficult to go through life singing if such weights are tied to your feet... And soaring up is out of the question. So it will be hard. Look at this. Now, let’s look at two more important reasons why happiness leaves us and depression begins to gain momentum. And this video can shed light on many incomprehensible changes in behavior among those with whom it used to be good and easy, but then became empty and difficult... Watch: The secret is that as soon as we ourselves do something wrong, we immediately end up in the wrong place :) When a person commits a bad act, he immediately feels a deterioration within himself. You see, it’s so important to realize this. As soon as you do something wrong, you immediately become weaker and more unhappy. Surprisingly, this is how we are made. Therefore, to be honest and decent, or to revive your inner honesty and decency - this should be the most important right thing to do in this life! This information may be very important for you. And not only for you. And to study it more fully and learn to apply information as accurately as mathematics, take a free correspondence course: In all these courses you will learn to apply this knowledge for yourself, as well as to help other people. These courses are free precisely so that people can help themselves. And so that they can also help others for free and from the heart. If there are many such educated and capable people in our society, then not only will life become easier for them. This will help all other people become better people. And thus, everyone can come to a happier and more prosperous society! And finally, one more important knowledge about where depression comes from, how to cope with it, and how to understand your own mind or the mind of other people. This information has been hidden and inaccessible to people for countless centuries. And now it has become widely available, friends. We will look at a person's past. Because it happens that after a misfortune, after a loss or a treacherous blow from a loved one - after such an incident, a person experiences a general deterioration in his condition. And then, after some time, it, continuing to be inside him, inside his memory, does not allow the person to be who he was before this incident. But the good news is that it can be fixed! So, first watch a short video, and then, if you wish, you can watch a large educational film on this subject: Here's more information about Dianetics. This video is part of the film, after watching it you will understand much more about this amazing science: The book "Dianetics. The Modern Science of the Mind", as well as an educational film based on it, can be ordered here. Do you want this knowledge and solutions online? Then register Register and let's do it together! These are the tips and solutions that exist regarding depression today. Share this page with your friends! To do this use "social buttons", they are at the top right. Click on them and leave links to this page in all your social networks from Odnoklassniki to Facebook! "I became interested in Dianetics because it works. It was the biggest turnaround in my life. It was like the key to everything that was happening. My career immediately took off. I found a tool that helps solve my life problems, but I I also use it to help others." 2014 All rights reserved. Scientology, Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard are registered trademarks and service marks owned by the Religious Technology Center and used with permission. Many thanks are extended to the L. Ron Hubbard Library for kindly allowing me to use excerpts from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. Share this article: Views Mythical creatures: list, pictures Rosemary basilisk apples Hecate people who are they Schizophrenia - symptoms and signs in adults, exacerbation and causes of the disorder How to recognize a schizophrenic by behavior Energy vampires among us: how to recognize and protect yourself? 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