What is depression?

What is depression?

It is very important to get the nuance between what we call depression, which is actually a normal depressive reaction after certain life events, and depression is a real illness requiring attention and appropriate treatment.

Depression is a reaction to the social and psychological factors (eg, bereavement, separation, divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, etc..) That generate normal depression. These phenomena have a limited time period and usually give way to stimuli and other pleasures.

In the case of  factors in people who are infected. The duration of a real depression is usually long and can even extend over one or two years if it is not treated properly. In addition, the depressed person does not respond to stimuli and therefore find little or no pleasure in any activity whatsoever.

Some facts about depression

• 17% of people will have depression at some point during their life time;

• Each year, 5% of people with depression;

• The disease is more common in women during the fertile period, from puberty to menopause;

• humans, depression is most common after age 40;

• a large number of teenagers and elderly people suffer from depression;

• all people are prone to depression, regardless of their race or religion;

Warning Signs

Illustration of biopsychosocial interaction of depression

Social stress

Psychological defense (depression or physical reaction)

Biological sensitivity (major depression or physical illness)

Environmental Factors

Depression can be caused by various environmental factors:

• lifestyle;

• drug use;

• poisoned work environment;

• unemployment;

• Single family.

Biological Factors

In the person with major depression, some changes in neurotransmitters are made:

• a decrease in serotonin, which causes feelings of depression, anxiety and obsessive thoughts, and loss of sleep and loss of appetite;

• a decrease in norepinephrine causes a loss of energy, loss of motivation and negative thoughts;

• a decrease of dopamine, resulting in a decrease in feelings of pleasure and difficulty in concentration.

Hormonal perspective, we can see other biological phenomena experienced by the depressed person:

• in women, hormonal fluctuation occurs during fertile cycles and during pregnancy and after childbirth, and humans, there is a gradual decline in androgen levels after 40 years;

• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;

• increased release of cortisol stress-related;

• immune function is also reduced.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors are noted in depression:

• a feeling of rejection and loss towards people loved, and even though they are still close to her;

• a severity to his own person, very rigid conscience, a willingness to punish her for everything she has done wrong in the past;

• negative thoughts, one thing to be a bad person, that everything around him is bad and everything is always bad;

• a feeling that life is worthless, hopeless and there is no help available.

Symptoms

The main symptoms that help diagnose major depression in a person are as follows:

• sleep problems (insomnia or hypersomnia);

• loss of energy and fatigue

• loss of interest and pleasure;

• psychomotor slowing or agitation;

• poor concentration or ability to think or indecision;

• feelings of guilt;

• recurrent thoughts of death (in 60% of cases), recurrent suicidal ideation (in 15% of cases).

Must be detected at least five of the nine symptoms in a person before a diagnosis of depression.

Associated symptoms:

- Anxiety;

- Social withdrawal.

Treatments

Psychological, biological and community treatment of depression are intended to improve the overall condition of the person affected taking into account the various biopsychosocial factors.

Psychotherapies

At the beginning of treatment, psychotherapists can help people with the following:

• providing them in the support and the information;

• organizing information sessions with the family;

• involving them in their recovery.

In times of crisis, people with major depression may receive specific individual aid:

• via a cognitive-behavioral therapy;

• using interpersonal therapy.

After the crisis, the following process will be undertaken:

• therapy in more depth with the person;

• a therapeutic approach involving close.

Throughout this process, the reference to the depressed person and his family to community organizations, such as Revive, is very useful.

Biological treatment

Depression is treated with drugs called antidepressants. This medication regulates neurotransmitters and can find fairly quickly (usually within a few weeks)

• sleep;

• appetite;

• renewed energy;

• pleasure;

• positive thoughts;

• Better concentration;

• a decrease in anxiety.

If the first choice antidepressant does not work, combinations of antidepressants or uploads other treatments may potentiate the mood:

• hormones (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid extracts);

• tryptophan;

• mood stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants);

• atypical neuroleptics;

• psychostimulants.

Antidepressants should be prescribed for a period of at least six months after the remission of the disease in order to minimize the risk of recurrence. However, the treatment may be extended if depressive symptoms persist. Antidepressants do not create addiction, but should, at the end of treatment be discontinued gradually.

The treatment of depression with antidepressants is effective in 75% of people with depression. It is important to mention that we should aim to complete remission of the disease