Everything you need to know about depression to deal with it effectively

What is depression?

Depression manifests itself through prolonged feelings of despair, hopelessness and persistent fatigue. A person experiencing depression experiences deep feelings of sadness and unhappiness, feels depressed and lacks energy. The illness can be one-off or recurrent.

Depression affects the patient's life, reducing their ability to function in every area of activity. Untreated, in extreme cases, it can lead to suicide.

Causes of depression

Depression rarely has a single cause, sometimes it accompanies other illnesses. Its development can be influenced, to varying, often overlapping levels, by biological and social factors, such as:  

• genetic
• chronic diseases
• addictions
• too fast lifestyle
• chronic stress
• professional activity
• unemployment
• loss of loved ones
• divorce and family problems
• bad life experiences

Depression does not have one specific source. Women are more vulnerable than men. The disease attacks regardless of age. It more often affects people whose relatives have suffered from depression.

Untreated depression, symptoms that should worry you

Periodic depressed mood does not necessarily mean depression. Depression may be suspected when the drop in mood persists for more than two weeks and is accompanied by other symptoms.

Changes in behaviour or feeling reported by people suffering from depression include the following:

• lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem
• concentration disorders, memory problems
• loss of interest in hobbies, work, contacts with relatives
• avoiding social contact
• fatigue that persists regardless of the number of responsibilities, the weather or the day of the week
• lack of desire to do anything
• self-harm
• suicidal thoughts

What else people with depression struggle with?

Moreover, depression causes difficulties in everyday life:

• a feeling of powerlessness, lack of energy and difficulty in carrying out daily activities
• loss of ability to experience pleasure
• progressive loss of previous interests
• chronic fatigue
• a growing sense of meaninglessness in life
• unwillingness to take action
• somatic complaints not caused by a specific illness, e.g. headaches, dyspnoea, problems with the digestive system
• sleep disorders, insomnia
• cognitive disorders
• decreased sexual desire
• increase or decrease in appetite (consequent weight loss or weight gain)
• menstrual disorders
• mood swings

Stages of depression

Depression can be divided into 3 stages:

• first stage - mild depression. The patient's mood is depressed most of the time (for no particular reason). It is accompanied by fatigue and a sense of discouragement. The patient may feel pains in various parts of the body
• second stage - moderate depression. The patient loses his or her enjoyment of life. He becomes indifferent to hobbies, work, and social contacts. Bad mood accompanies him all the time
• third stage - severe depression. The patient is unable to function normally and carry out daily activities. Often there is suspicion of others, delusions or suicidal thoughts

When psychiatric help is required

Depression is a serious illness and requires treatment. If your mood is very depressed, you have difficulty performing daily life activities or suicidal thoughts, consult a psychiatrist. You can also book an online visit with a doctor – with a psychologist or general practitioner, who will decide whether your condition requires consultation with a psychiatrist.

Diagnosis of depression involves recognising the patient's behaviour. The psychiatrist may recommend additional laboratory tests to exclude other illnesses. The diagnostic process proceeds as follows:

• interview with the patient
• discussion/interview with the family and the close environment
• observation of the patient on an outpatient or inpatient basis

Participation and support of the patient's relatives is important already at the diagnostic stage.

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Depression – treatment

Depression can be cured. The following forms of therapy are used for treatment:    

• pharmacotherapy
• psychotherapy
• social therapy

The different forms of therapy complement each other.

Pharmacotherapy - only the doctor can decide what medication and in what doses the patient should take. Pills for depression are the mainstay in severe episodes but are not the most important form of treatment for depression.

Psychotherapy - can be conducted in individual or group form, depending on the needs of the patient. It works best when used together with pharmacotherapy.

Social therapy - its purpose is to progressively bring sufferers back into social and working life. People with depression often lose their jobs as a result of the illness, move away from friends and neglect social relationships.

Depressed people fight every day

The disease attacks regardless of age. In the first stage, it can go unnoticed, which is why it is so important not to neglect the signals. The symptoms of depression cause disruption and damage to the patient's daily functioning, including social, family and work life.

Psychological help online is just as effective as a visit to a stationary office. Patients who find any activity challenging can, thanks to the e-visit, speak to a specialist from wherever they are.

If you want fast access to a specialist, a comfortable visit and effective treatment, arrange an e-visit with a psychiatrist.

How to deal with depression?

Depression is a mental disorder. A chronic condition that affects mood, thoughts, feelings, and behaviour and, in the long term, ruins physical health and interpersonal relationships. Depression is more than just sadness. It can last for weeks, months or even years. For your own well-being, it is a good idea to start treatment for depression if the condition persists for a long time. How to deal with depression? Contact your doctors as soon as possible and start fighting for yourself!

Untreated depression symptoms

In untreated cases of depression, symptoms can last longer and be intense. What are the symptoms of depression? People with depression may feel a constant sense of sadness, anger or frustration that lasts most of the day and most days of the week. Hobbies are no longer enjoyable, meeting friends is exhausting, there is a decline in libido and sex no longer interests us at all. Symptoms of depression also include a tendency to focus on past mistakes or failures and blame ourselves. Problems with concentration, difficulties with decision-making or memory can also be symptoms of depression. People with untreated depression may have thoughts of suicide, plans or attempts at suicide.

Major depression physical symptoms

Major depression physical symptoms include loss of appetite and weight loss or excessive appetite and weight gain. Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night as well as excessive sleepiness are both possible. People with depression live with a feeling of constant exhaustion that persists even after a long period of rest. There are major difficulties in carrying out daily activities that were previously easy. Frequent headaches, stomach aches or chest pains occur. These complaints may not respond to standard treatment and may worsen as the depression worsens. Depression also means digestive problems: nausea, diarrhoea or constipation. Depression often goes hand in hand with anxiety.

Depression physical and mental symptoms. If you notice symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one, contact your GP, psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as possible. Depression can be treated very effectively, it is an illness that requires professional help.

Is depression treatable?

Many people experience relief of symptoms and improved quality of life with appropriate treatment. Clinical depression is a chronic illness. How to deal with depression? This condition can be effectively controlled. Cognitive behavioural therapy, antidepressant medication, and lifestyle changes (improved diet, regular exercise and sleep) improve quality of life every day. Some people may also benefit from relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga, or alternative therapies such as acupuncture or light therapy. Regular exercise is one of the ways to alleviate the symptoms of depression and prevent its recurrence.

Is depression treatable? Yes. It is important that people suffering from depression do not treat it as a normal part of life. How to deal with depression? Depression can and even should be treated. Although the symptoms of depression may improve, it is important to constantly monitor your mental health, as depression tends to recur. Regular check-ups with your doctor or therapist, even if you feel well, will help to prevent relapse. 

Can depression come back? 

Depression relapses can be triggered by a variety of factors, including medication, psychoactive substances, and certain aspects of lifestyle and nutrition. Medications can cause a recurrence of depression, especially if used long-term or in high doses. Antiepileptic drugs, antihypertensive drugs (beta-blockers), certain hormonal drugs (including hormonal contraception), anti-cancer drugs or antiretroviral drugs used for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Drinking alcohol and using drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine can lead to recurrence of depression. Alcohol and drugs can cause changes in the brain that increase vulnerability to depression. 

A low-carbohydrate diet, low in protein, unsaturated fats, B vitamins, and low in magnesium, can lead to a depressed mood. 

Relationship problems, work, financial difficulties, traumas or the loss of a loved one can lead to recurrent depression.

People with chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease or neurological diseases, are more likely to be depressed. 

Sleep problems, such as insomnia, can also lead to increased symptoms of depression.

Depression is a serious illness that requires medical care. If you have been experiencing a very depressed mood for a long time, difficulty with daily life activities or suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. Fight for yourself! Try!

Literature

1. Depresja w praktyce lekarza POZ, Redakcja naukowa: Prof. dr hab. n. med. Marek Jarema (2017) PZWL
2. Depresja i zaburzenia lękowe W gabinecie lekarza specjalisty. Rozpoznawanie i leczenie, Marek Jarema (2021) PZWL
3. O depresji dziś, Iwona Koszewska (2020) PZWL