Depression: The Evil of Seculo

Depression: The Evil of  Seculo 

Depression is a depressive disorder characterized by aversion to activity, which can affect a person's thoughts, behaviors, feelings and well-being.. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, desperate, worried, helpless, helpless, guilty, angry, hurt, or restless. May lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, may lose their appetite or overeat, have trouble concentrating, have difficulty remembering details or make decisions, and can contemplate or attempt suicide. Problems of insomnia, excessive sleep, fatigue, loss of energy, change in food, suffering, pain or digestive problems resistant to treatment may also be present.Depression affects more than 300 million people of all ages in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 5.8% of the population is affected by the disease. 

Sadness vs. Depression 

There is a big difference between sadness and depression.Sadness can occur triggered by some fact of everyday life, where one really suffers with it until one assimilates what is happening and usually lasts no longer than fifteen to twenty days. Depression sets in and if left untreated it can worsen and go through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe

 Sadness

You have a justifiable motive, and you know why you are sad, and it may be disappointment or personal failure.

 It is temporary, and diminishes as time passes or the cause of sadness drifts away.

There are symptoms of crying, feelings of helplessness, demotivation and anguish.

Depression

There is no cause for the symptoms, and it is common for a person not to know the reason for the sadness and to think that everything is always bad. Sadness is disproportionate to events;

It is persistent, lasts most of the day and every day for at least 14 days;

In addition to the symptoms of sadness, there is loss of interest in enjoyable activities, diminished energy, and others such as suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, and feelings of guilt.

Usually the person may have two or more of the following symptoms: 

Apathy

Lack of motivation

Fears that did not exist before

Difficulty concentrating

Loss or increase in appetite

High degree of pessimism

Indecision

nsecurity

Insomnia

Lack of willingness to do previously enjoyable activities

Feeling of emptiness

Irritability

Slower reasoning

Forgetfulness

nxiety

Anguish. 

In addition, the individual may exhibit some physical symptoms that doctors can not find apparent causes, such as: 

Stomach ache

Indigestion

Heartburn

Constipation

Flatulence

Tension in the neck and shoulders

Headaches

Body pain

Chest pressure. 

These are some of the signs of depression.But if in doubt, seek a specialist to have a correct diagnosis and treatment. Do not be afraid or ashamed to express what you are really feeling and experiencing, because these professionals will rely on these data to be able to prescribe a treatment and from there, the patient returns to have quality of life, with joy and well being. 

Treatment 

Depression can last for weeks or even years. And once the individual goes through a crisis, he is at greater risk of facing a similar episode again in life. Most of the time, the treatment is done jointly by the psychiatrist and the psychologist. There are several antidepressant medications that help regulate brain chemistry, and the doctor will choose according to the patient's profile. Psychological counseling, which will seek to pinpoint the causes of the problem and how it can be disassembled, is crucial even as the remedies can take time to take effect. Within the approach of psychotherapy, one of the most used currents in the treatment of depression is the cognitive-behavioral one, that identifies conflicts and helps the patient to face them and to leave the state of depression. There are studies suggesting that acupuncture and music therapy would be helpful in restoring emotional well-being. For the more severe cases and resistant to the conventional treatment, today the application of techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation is being studied.  

There are types of depression; know the 8 most common and their symptoms 

Each type of depression presents differences in its durations and even in the symptoms 

-Melancholia, and temporary disability, especially when untreated. Major depressive disorder (unipolar depression) This is the most frequent and known type of depression. It is characterized by a depressed mood, loss of interest and pleasure, reduced energy, decreased activity and, in more severe cases, suffering 

-Bipolar Depression Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but this type is on this list because the person experiences episodes of extremely depressed mood that meet the criteria for major depression. It is the alternation of depressive moments with extreme periods, euphoric or irritable, called "mania" or a less severe form, called "hypomania" 

-Dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) Image: iStock This is a form of chronic depression - lasting at least two years of moderate intensity, when the individual becomes predominantly sad, discouraged, pessimistic and unwilling to act with little energy and concentration. A person diagnosed may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms 

-Postpartum Depression Symptoms may appear within the first few weeks after delivery or even during pregnancy. Feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion may make it difficult for the mother to perform daily activities of caring for the baby and herself. It is much more serious than the feeling of anxiety that many women experience after childbirth, which usually disappear within two weeks 

 

-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Known as PMDD, it appears almost every month in the period before menstruation and should cease when the cycle begins. Just like PMS, it stems from a low estrogen, the female hormone. The symptoms, however, are much more severe than the usual premenstrual tension, to the point of leaving the patient unable to perform activities, due to sadness, irritability, desire for isolation and much discomfort 

-Seasonal affective disorder Image: iStock It is the name given to depression during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight, particularly in temperate countries where winters are short and exposure to light is low. Winter depression, which usually occurs each year, is accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain. 

- Psychotic depression Occurs when a person has severe depression and psychotic symptoms, such as having false beliefs (delusions) and hearing or seeing disturbing things that others can not perceive as well (hallucinations). Psychotic symptoms usually have a depressive "theme", such as delusions of guilt, poverty or illness, and may also have persecutory content 

-Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder / Medication It is associated with the ingestion, injection or inhalation of a substance (drug of abuse, exposure to a toxin or use of medication), and includes symptoms of a depressive disorder that persist beyond the expected duration of the physiological effects of intoxication or withdrawal period

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How to know that a person with depression may be close to suicide

  Usually the person sends a series of signals through the behavior, but they are not always perceived or are not taken seriously.  Anyone who has a very severe deterioration of a depressive condition, to the point of no longer wanting to live (even if he does not mention killing himself), is a potential candidate for suicide. If the person says he wants to die, he should be taken seriously, because many who threaten suicide actually make the attempt, sometimes not because they want to commit suicide properly, but simply because they are tired of living.  Very intense situations of loss that produce a true rupture of the individual's values. It is as if he loses (or loses) everything that means or gives meaning to his life. Not having other values ​​to continue living. 

    How To Help Someone With Depression 

Living with someone who has depression is no easy task. If the person is very close, then the feeling of helplessness of those around are common. Accompanying daily pain, lack of pleasure in small things, difficulties with sleep, discouragement, compromised self-esteem, and difficulty with pre-existing activities cause awkwardness and the ongoing questioning of how one can help. 

Be understanding and patient - Never underestimate the limiting character of Depression. Be patient. Give unconditional support to the suffering person. For example, tell her how important she is. 

Recommend help - Although you are very fond of the person you are caring for, be aware that you can not solve the problems of others. Depression treatment is personal and depends on the person who is suffering.

Accompany - During any type of intervention it is important to accompany the person in depression, to understand how they are responding, what progress is observed, to be there for them, to listen to them, and to maintain contact with them. Be careful not to overdo it. The purpose of follow-up is to encourage the person to leave the state in which they are.

Be There - The best thing you can do to help someone with depression is to be with the person, give support or do something together like walking, shopping, going to the movies. 

Do not judge or criticize. Avoid saying:

It's all in your head.

We all go through moments like this.

I can not do anything about your situation.

Make it understood that depression is common and treatable. It is not a sign of personal weakness.

 

How to help a person with depression who doesn't want help 

Depressed people may reject your help, and in addition, people with depression have negative thoughts and do not see recovery as a reality, because they feel hopeless and feel useless. 

-Provide consistent support. Over time if you always show support the depressed person will see that you are firm and can accept their help. 

-Discuss your feelings. When your help is declined, reaffirm how much you care about the person. Let the depressed person know how you feel, in a kind way. 

-Focus on behaviors. If the depressed person is reluctant to seek help, then do not try to convince the person that depression is causing the problems. Instead, talk about the depressed person's behaviors and the ways in which the treatment can help. 

-Agree to professional help. It is important to make sure that the person with depression gets the professional help they need.

-Look for information- Researching and talking with professionals to help the depressant is important to understand what he is going through and how to face the situation. This way, you will be more prepared to support you, you will know what to expect and you will learn how to deal with the situation without getting too tired

-Have patience- Depression is not a disease that heals overnight, but it has ups and downs that are stressful to the person with the disease and who lives with it.

The Depression Organization in the United States and the Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) recommend avoiding phrases like "Think positive", "It's normal what you're feeling, everyone goes through it once in a

lifetime "and" I do not know how to help you ".

The ideal is to show that you understand suffering and that you are available to help. Good phrases are:

"You're not alone, I'm here for you," "You have a real disease that causes these thoughts and feelings,"   "It may be hard to believe, but your feelings will change,"  "You matter to me. Your life matters to me." and "We'll go through it together."  

Sports and depression

Sport will always be an escape for all the stress and tension of everyday life. Sport and depression will hardly go together. 

Based on the evaluation of studies reviewed by researchers, there is no single exercise regimen capable of bringing benefits to mental health. However, evidence suggests that supervised routines up to 45 minutes proved to be very efficient. According to Gordon, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACMS) provides the following guidelines for sports practice: 

-Strength training should be done at least two days a week; 

-The exercises should contain eight to ten types of resistance-strengthening movement, with eight to twelve repetitions of each. 

In addition to endurance training, there is scientific evidence that points to other modalities of physical activity that can improve the symptoms of depression, such as yoga, aerobic exercise and cardio - also known as cardiovascular training, it can be defined as any physical exercise that increases heart rate, such as running, cycling and swimming. 

Truths and lies about depression and suicide

The numbers indicate that between 2006 and 2017, 106,374 deaths were recorded for suicide, and the rate reached 5.8 per 100 thousand inhabitants in 2016, with the notification of 11,433 deaths due to this cause. in almost 100% of cases, is associated with a mental illness, such as depression.

-Fasting Improves Depression - Myth

-Chocolate Improves Depression - Myth.

-Alcoholic beverage, in small quantity, treats depression - Myth.

In fact, alcohol depresses the central nervous system and may even worsen the symptoms of depression.

-Antidepressant fattens and lowers libido - True. One of the challenges of medicine is to create antidepressant medications that do not cause weight gain or reduce sexual desire and pleasure 

-Coffee stimulates the depressed individual - Myth. Caffeine has excitatory properties on the brain, but if consumed in excess (5 or more cups of coffee per day) can cause anxiety, tachycardia, agitation and insomnia. 

-Depression has a cure - Truth. Depression is treatable, and more than 80% of individuals with depressive disorders improve with treatment 

-The disease affects more women than men - Truth. In the general population, the references show that 5% to 12% of men have or have had depression, compared to 10% to 15% in women. For historical, social, and cultural reasons, women are more prone to depression, but the clinical picture is the same for both sexes. 

-Fatty Foods Intensify Depression - True.

The intake of saturated fats or trans fats does not only fatten, they also increase the risk of depression by up to 50%. 

Thus, to cure a picture of depression, there are alternative treatments, which can be done separately or together, but the best type, the time needed and the doses used may vary by person. In addition, in cases of suspicion, it is always important to seek the help of a psychiatrist, who will define the type of treatment needed  

Use of medicines

Antidepressants are drugs used to replace neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, which are usually reduced in depression 

Psychotherapy sessions

Psychotherapy is done by a psychologist or psychotherapist, and is important to help in solving emotional difficulties, stimulating self-awareness and resolving internal conflicts of the person 

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy consists of a procedure of controlled and painless cerebral electroshock that facilitates the reorganization of the cerebral activity. It is a type of treatment performed for cases of severe depression where there has been no improvement with the other treatments available. 

New therapies

There are newer therapies that have shown good results for the treatment of depression in people who do not improve with other forms of treatment. These include transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. 

Alternative Therapies

There are more natural forms that are great allies to complement the treatment of depression, but they should not substitute for doctor-directed treatment. 

Acupuncture: can relieve several symptoms associated with this disease, such as pain, anxiety and insomnia;

Meditation: Provides self-knowledge and control of feelings, which can improve confidence and self-esteem;

Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps release hormones such as serotonin and endorphin, essential in the treatment of depression, as well as improving well-being 

Reiki: is a technique that provides relaxation and well-being, and can be useful to combat symptoms of depression; 

Antidepressant food: There are foods such as bananas, peanuts, oats and milk, which increase levels of tryptophan and other substances such as magnesium, which stimulate the production of wellness hormones 

 Child Depression 

Depression is present in 1% to 2% of pre-school children and between 3% to 8% of adolescents. By the end of adolescence, one in five children will have had a more or less severe depressive episode.

Irritability, depressed mood, loss of interest in most activities or inability to feel pleasure in them

difficulty in reasoning or concentration

lack or excess of appetite

decreased or increased sleep needs 

ideas of guilt (the child feels guilty for something that he did not do or, if he did, the guilt is exaggerated) or of inferiority (excessive devaluation of oneself) 

decreased psychomotor activity (ie, motor actions dependent on mental stimulation) 

feeling of lack of energy 

ideas of death or suicide or suicide attempts 

Parents should seek psychiatric help for their children whenever:

to observe that pictures of sadness are prolonged excessively or are disproportionately deep 

when they perceive persistent discouragement and even difficulties or lack of motivation to enjoy most of the activities that the child or adolescent liked.

The cause of depression is not known in detail but, in addition to the factors mentioned above, it is possible that parts of the brain (frontal, temporal and / or parietal lobes, amygdala, hippocampus), hormonal changes (increase of the cortisol homonium) and even inflammatory processes. As in the case of adults, depressions in adolescents and preadolescents are treated through psychotherapeutic and medication techniques.  

There are studies suggesting the usefulness of behavioral therapy, acceptance and compromise therapy (which involves the acceptance of negative emotions and the pursuit of goals according to the person's main values) and applied behavioral analysis that analyzes the role of stimuli. 

There is yet another important factor in the context of Child Depression, which is the affective relationship between the child and the adults, because the way the child is treated provides her with information about who she is and how she is, because adults function as mirrors for the child, in the formation of their identity.

It is up to parents, teachers, psychologists to observe their behavior and to perceive their emotions through some signs that the child presents, such as weight loss, isolation, irritation, among others. 

It is also important to listen to the child, seeing the situation under their eyesight, and then seek to help them find new strategies for solving the problem, new alternatives to seeing that same situation, making it more cognitively flexible.

Every 30 seconds, someone in the world takes their own lives. You can not distract and dissuade a person from depression or suicide any more than you could dissuade someone from having the flu or a heart attack, depression does not appear suddenly. Like any other disease, there are symptoms that get worse if they are not treated in time. 

 There is no predefined time to treat depression, so some people get better after a few months, others need to treat for years.This usually depends on the cause and severity of the disease, plus the possibility and willingness of the person to follow the treatment correctly.  

Depression manifests itself in different ways. Humor is one of them. Do not fool yourself. A good laugh can mask a huge void in the soul. 

Ana Paula Menezes