Depression “ What it is, Symptoms, Treatment Who Gets Depressed?

Depression is an insidious disease that cannot be seen at first glance. Sometimes it is difficult to detect and can mask itself very well. Many people experience a decline in "form" or "mood" throughout the year. It is worth realizing that untreated depression can effectively hinder everyday functioning. This disease does not go away on its own and it is not enough to smile during it. The basis of depression is much deeper than sadness. Treatment is based on appropriate pharmacotherapy, sometimes special therapeutic sessions are recommended. If you are curious about depression, someone close to you has this condition - find a moment and read this article. It is possible that you will gain a better perspective on this disease and will be able to additionally support people with depression - not only from your closest circle! Depression “ What it is, Symptoms, Treatment Who Gets Depressed?

• What is depression?
• Depressive states, dysthymia and depressive disorders
• Causes of depression and depressive disorders
• Symptoms of depression
• Mental symptoms of depression
• Physical (somatic) symptoms of depression
• Division and types of depression
• How is depression treated and how to deal with it?
• What are antidepressants? Types of drugs for depression
• Antidepressants - action and mechanism of action
• Pills for depression - side effects
• Pills for depression - contraindications
• What about depression without a prescription?
• Depression in questions and answers

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is a mental disorder that affects many people around the world. According to WHO estimates, in January 2020, 264 million people worldwide suffered from this disease (twice as often as women). This disease significantly exceeds the daily mood swings or emotional reactions. Depression is a serious illness that is characterized by a varying intensity - depending on the severity of symptoms, a mild, moderate or severe depressive episode is listed. What accompanies a depressed person? Very often, at certain times, it may function worse at work, school or in the family. There are also other changes, such as disturbed biological rhythm and, for example, problems with sleeping. If left untreated, depression can lead to thoughts and a suicide attempt. Statistics in this respect are not "optimistic" - each year 800,000 people die from suicide, and it is the second cause of death among the 15-29 age group.

Depression is sometimes called a disease of civilization. This group of diseases includes diseases such as like high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and obesity. This disease is sometimes associated with stigma, which is not conducive to proper diagnosis and treatment of depression. According to WHO, i.e. the World Health Organization, depression is a significant and widespread health problem.

DEPRESSION, DEPRESSIONS, DYSTMIA AND DEPRESSION DISORDERS

What are depressive states? This depressed mood, which is not as severe as depression, usually occurs for a short time. Often there are no additional accompanying symptoms. However, there are other definitions, such as that the depressive state is one of the clinical symptoms of unipolar depression or the mood-determining state of bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder).

Depressive disorders are a group of mental disorders that occur in the course of many diseases, such as the aforementioned bipolar disorder. During their duration, there may be symptoms common to depression, such as low mood and self-esteem, pessimism, psychomotor slowing down.

Dysthymia is defined as a chronic depressive mood (minimum 2 years) that is milder than endogenous depression and is not a depressive disorder in itself.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION AND DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS

The causes of depression are complex and not 100% understood. Its development is influenced by factors such as psychological and biological, but genes are also important here. Depression is classified as an endogenous disease with a genetic basis, but it can be caused by mental and external factors (e.g. emotional states, head injuries, childbirth).

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Depression and its symptoms are very diverse - 2 people suffering from depression may experience almost opposite symptoms. Some patients will experience chronic insomnia, part of which will be increased sleepiness, which significantly reduces the types of activity during the day. Many people wonder what depression actually looks like or a person suffering from depression? Are there any characteristic symptoms in depression?

MENTAL SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Mental symptoms include, among others feeling sad, decreased feeling of pleasure and joy, emotional slackness, guilt, low self-esteem, persistent thoughts about death. In addition, a person suffering from depression very often blames himself (unjustified), the ability to think decreases, hesitation is increased and the willingness to decide is weakened. Depressed people are often withdrawn, become less talkative and may feel more anxious and anxious (especially if there is anxiety depression).

What accompanies depression? Very often a sick person feels sad, less joy or pleasure from things they usually enjoyed.

PHYSICAL (SOMATIC) SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Depression can also affect the body, resulting in weight gain or loss, headaches and dizziness, joint or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, increased drowsiness, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea / constipation, nausea, decreased appetite. In addition, such changes as earlier waking up, intense depression in the morning hours are visible.

DIVISION AND KINDS OF DEPRESSION

Depending on the aspect such as pathomechanism, the clinical form is distinguished by different types and types of depression. One of the divisions according to clinical symptoms includes the following division of depression:

Simple depression,

Inhibited (also known as inhibition) - the so-called depressive stupor, in which the sick person does not undertake any activity, including the necessary food. Often only 1 item remains, there is limited contact with the environment.

Anankastic (with obsessions) - obsessive behavior and / or thinking are observed here, e.g. obsession with clean hands.

Anxiety (agitated) - in addition to the symptoms of depression, there are also strong anxiety states that the patient experiences mentally, physically and behaviorally.

The other types of depression are briefly described below.

PREGNANCY AND artical-BIRTH DEPRESSION

Depression in pregnancy is associated with the occurrence of mood disorders, which, in the opinion of future mothers, is usually caused by an altered hormonal balance. During this period, women are exposed to a large dose of stress of considerable length - these may be concerns related to childbirth or the expectation of a child. Some may find it difficult to give up some of their daily habits or plans, which can be a source of great anxiety and anxiety.

articalnatal depression is a disease that affects women right after the baby is born. She is often troubled by both mental and physical symptoms. Some mothers cannot handle a lot of stress at times, especially when the woman is a single mother. There are many factors that influence the appearance of depression. It is possible that complications in the perinatal period may have a negative impact on the future mother. Therefore, in the first days after childbirth, there may be a significant drop in mood

Unipolar depression and bipolar disorder

Unipolar depression is a condition known as recurrent depression or unipolar disorder. It is characterized by symptoms such as mood disorders, feeling emotions or decreased activity. This disease has a recurrent depressive episode manifested by depressed mood, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and weight changes.

BD, or bipolar disorder, is a disorder in which there are stages of (hypo) mania and depression, between which there is a period of no symptoms. There may also be mixed states. In the treatment of this disease, not only antidepressants are used (many of them, however, have a large limitation in its treatment), but most of all neuroleptics, antiepileptic drugs (used as "mood stabilizers").

Recurrent episodes of depression occur in unipolar disease. On the other hand, in BD, periods of mania / hypomania and depression alternate.

ATYPICAL DEPRESSION

In its course, there are symptoms that go beyond the typical form of depression. They include: increased appetite / weight gain, a strong depressed mood in situations where you usually feel satisfied, a feeling of heaviness, increased sensitivity and sleepiness. Often, patients with atypical depression are diagnosed with seasonal (autumn, winter) or bipolar depression.

ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS DEPRESSION

Endogenous depression ("f. Out of nowhere") is biologically conditioned, among others, by by the nervous or endocrine system. There is no influence of typical external factors here, as in the case of the exogenous form (reactive depression), for which life situations may be responsible.

HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED AND HOW TO FIGHT IT?

A psychiatrist decides about the therapy, who may refer the patient to hospital or outpatient treatment. Most often, the mainstay of depression treatment is appropriate pharmacotherapy, which often prescribes more than one drug due to the complexity of clinical symptoms. Often, patients struggling with depression also struggle with insomnia, anxiety and anxiety, and sometimes also with somatic symptoms, e.g. shortness of breath, frequent headaches. Depending on the disorder, there are many therapeutic trends that include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychosomatic therapy, Gestalt therapy, etc.

Antidepressants are sometimes not able to solve all the symptoms of depression. That is why occupational or individual therapy is so important.

WHAT ARE ANTIDEPRESSANTS? TYPES OF MEDICINES FOR DEPRESSION

Antidepressants known as antidepressants, formerly timoleptics are agents used in depressive disorders, treating depression and relieving chronic pain. Due to their actions, they are used in many diseases - not only depression, but also in the treatment of some anxiety disorders, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia) and sleep.

Depending on the chemical structure and mechanisms of action, several groups of drugs for depression are distinguished, which are characterized by various indications, contraindications and side effects. These are for example:

• TLPD - tricyclic antidepressants - e.g. amitriptyline,
• Four-cyclic antidepressants - e.g. maprotiline,
• SSRIs - e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram,
• MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) - e.g. selegiline, moclobemide.
• Depending on the group, they affect the conductivity of transmitters or receptors.

ANTIDEPRESSIVES - ACTION AND MECHANISM OF ACTION

Antidepressants (drugs for depression) are based on several mechanisms of action, they are: inhibition of NA (noradrenaline) or 5HT (serotonin) reuptake, slower decomposition of neurotransmitters, effect on synaptic receptors. Depending on the group, there may be additional activities such as helping to fall asleep (e.g. trazodone), anxiolytic (e.g. buspirone). The primary purpose of these drugs is to act as an antidepressant, which reduces the perceived symptoms of the disease. An "interesting" drug is bupropion, which is used as one of the smoking cessation methods (prescription only)

TABLETS FOR DEPRESSION - SIDE EFFECTS

The side effects of these drugs are very broad and group dependent. They usually occur early in treatment and are mild and transient. Some of the side effects are listed below: headache and dizziness, insomnia or increased sleepiness, excessive psychomotor agitation, abdominal pain and nausea, decreased concentration, visual disturbances, problems with peeing, dry mouth, decreased libido, increased sweating, decreased or increased appetite and / or body weight.

Characteristic side effects depending on the antidepressant group / drug include:

• TLPD - urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia,
• SNRI - decrease in sexual function,
• SSRI - initial worsening of anxiety and fear,
• Trazodone - priapism,
• Mirtazapine - weight gain, drowsiness.
• TABLETS FOR DEPRESSION - CONTRAINDICATIONS

Depending on the medicine, hypersensitivity (allergy) to the active ingredient may occur. The limitation in the use of certain medications may result, for example, from existing diseases such as glaucoma, hypertension, heart disease, liver problems, or the use of other medications. In the case of antidepressants, they should not be combined with some drugs due to the risk of serotonin syndrome (or in a specific schedule with intervals between individual doses of several hours).

Must Read: Learning responsible consumption with children: checklist

What about depression without a prescription?

Unfortunately, there are no over-the-counter medications for depression (antidepressants). Depression is a multi-factorial disease with a sometimes complex treatment regimen that is not limited to the use of tablets alone. The help of a psychotherapist who can work in various currents is also important. One of the variants of drugs that can be used in depression (and is over the counter) is certainly magnesium with vitamin B6. It is worth knowing that magnesium deficiencies (hypomagnesaemia) may appear as states of depressed mood. It's hard to say, however, that a magnesium drug is an over-the-counter antidepressant. Nevertheless, it may help if the depressed mood is due to low levels of magnesium and / or its intake. Remedies to ensure a good night's sleep or to help you fall asleep can help.

DEPRESSION IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Some of the most frequently asked questions about depression are listed below. If you want to ask an additional question - write it in the comment.

WHO TO GO FOR SUSPECTING DEPRESSION?

The diagnosis of mental disorders and the diagnosis of depression (e.g. anxiety, endogenous, exogenous, masked, articalpartum) is made by a psychiatrist.

CAN DEPRESSION GO BY ITSELF?

It is unlikely that the depression will go away on its own. If the patient experiences this change, it may not have been depression but rather depressed state. Short-term remissions may occur, but subsequent recurrences of depression may be stronger.

WHAT CAN DEPRESSION CONFUSE?

Depression or a depressive episode may be part of, for example, bipolar disorder. In this case, a manic (manic) phase may occur after the use of, for example, antidepressants. The initial diagnosis of depression should be reconsidered in terms of new symptoms indicative of (hypo) mania. Depressed mood can also occur with hypothyroidism.

HOW TO HELP AND SUPPORT A PERSON WHO IS DEPRESSED?

You should give her maximum comfort, not judge or judge. Accompanying persons should be as patient and understanding as possible. They should not force a person suffering from depression to do anything. People suffering from depression often feel a lack of strength and willingness to do anything. This is not due to their laziness, but to psychomotor slowing down which is caused, for example, by reduced serotonin and / or norepinephrine transmission in the brain.

HOW CAN YOU TREAT DEPRESSION?

Usually, the process of treating depression is based on pharmacotherapy and sometimes psychological and therapeutic support. Keep in mind that with depression there may be periods of remission, but many patients often have to take medication for many years. It is worth realizing that sometimes the first set of medications prescribed by your doctor may need to be changed, e.g. due to new symptoms and / or the worsening of old symptoms.

CAN YOU TREAT DEPRESSION BY YOURSELF?

It is possible to temporarily improve the mood, e.g. with the use of plant adaptogens, such as Rhodiola rosea, ginseng or St. John's wort. It should be taken into account that these agents are less effective than prescription antidepressants. Therefore, they can bring temporary relief (e.g. in increased intellectual effort combined with stress), but they are not able to cure depression.

WHAT ARE DRUGS WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION FOR DEPRESSION?

Due to the complexity of depression, there is no over-the-counter cure available for depression. The pharmacy offers products that can slightly improve the mood, for example in nervous states or "increase resistance to stress". They can contain plant substances such as St. John's wort, 5-hydroxytryptophan, (Arctic root), saffron or B vitamins.

WHEN DOES ANTIDEPRESSANTS IMPROVE?

Due to the mechanism of action, the clinical effects and the anti-depressant effect felt by the patient may not be noticeable until 2-3 weeks. Sometimes drugs for depression also have another component, e.g. sleeping or sedative, which appears within several minutes to several hours

CAN I DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY AFTER MEDICINES FOR DEPRESSION?

Antidepressants may adversely affect driving, especially at the beginning of treatment. Symptoms that may make it difficult to drive are headache, dizziness, and visual disturbances (accommodation). Before driving a car, it is helpful to know your individual reaction to the drug.

IS IT ALLOWED TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND ANTIDEPRESSANTS?

The combination is not allowed due to the severity of some of the side effects of the antidepressants and / or the reduced therapeutic effect of the drug. Symptoms of combining antidepressants with alcohol may include: drowsiness, decreased concentration, deterioration of motor coordination, and worse speech.

CAN I STOP MY DRUGS FOR DEPRESSION INDIVIDUALLY?

The gradual introduction and withdrawal of any medication for depression is essential. Sudden discontinuation of medium or high doses of antidepressants can cause a number of side effects. The antidepressant effect will last for a while, but will start to diminish significantly with each passing day / week. Any change in medication and / or dose should be consulted with your doctor.

DOES SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ALWAYS OCCUR DURING DEPRESSION?

Suicidal thoughts are not always a symptom of depression. It is important that a person with intense thinking about his own death should be given special care. Some drugs, such as SSRIs, are not used in patients with suicidal thoughts.

IS DEPRESSION HERITAGE AND GENETIC?

It is one of the diseases that can be genetically determined.

WHAT OTHER DISEASES CAN BE WITH DEPRESSION?

This disease accompanies, for example, cancer, myocardial infarction, and diseases of the nervous system.

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

At the root of this disease is a deficit (weakening) of a specific transmission in the brain. May be associated with impaired noradrenergic (noradrenaline) and / or serotonergic conductivity. Occasionally, the sensitivity of 5-HT receptors to serotonin may also change. This transmission is influenced by, for example, life events, the time of the year and the amount of sunlight during the day. However, it is worth knowing that the causes of depression are mixed and that the psychological causes of its occurrence should also be considered.

WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES OF DEPRESSION?

Psychological causes of depression include: a negative way of thinking that is linked to the belief that "nothing good will happen to me in life." It often has to do with digging up the past and reliving unpleasant and sad events over and over again. The atmosphere at home is not without significance, as it can result in numerous conflicts, quarrels or often accompanying guilt.

WHEN DO ANTI-DEPRESSIVES START TO ACT AND IMPROVED?

The sick person feels the antidepressant effect after 2-3 weeks of using the drug. Therefore, clinical improvement usually takes more than 14 days. It is associated with the occurrence of some adaptive changes within the presynaptic and articalsynaptic receptors.

WHAT IS THE SEROTONIN SYNDROME?

This is a condition in which there is too much serotonin in the brain. This is the result of various drug interactions, e.g. between antidepressants that affect serotonin transmission, e.g. SSRIs and MAO inhibitors. Symptoms of this syndrome include headache, rise in body temperature, hallucinations, muscle tremors / stiffness, sleep disturbances (insomnia), increased sweating, tachycardia and hypertension, seizures, anxiety, dilated pupils, dizziness.

IS THERE A GENDER WHICH GIVES MORE FREQUENTLY FROM DEPRESSION?

In statistical terms, women are more likely to fall victim to depression. It is worth emphasizing that depression is a disease that should not be underestimated.