Anyone who suffers from depression suffers from a persistent, deep mood from which they can usually no longer free themselves. It differs from “normal” feelings of exhaustion, discouragement, and sadness that arise in response to specific problems. Everyone knows such “low moods”. They usually pass as soon as the triggering events have been dealt with constructively – for example, as soon as the pain of losing a loved one subsides or the overload at work subsides.
Untreated depression, on the other hand, does not usually improve on its own. It can have different causes and occur entirely independently of external circumstances.
How Do You Recognize Depression?
Diagnosis: Many sufferers shy away from talking to the doctor about their problems – a mistake. Mental illnesses are by no means something to be ashamed of, but illnesses like others: With around four million people affected in Germany alone, depression with heart attacks and cancer is one of the most common illnesses. An individual diagnosis as early as possible is crucial. Doctors differentiate between several types of depression. Read more about this in the Diagnostics chapter.
Untreated, severe depression brings the risk of suicide attempts and suicides (suicides), and it adversely affects other physical illnesses. For the inhibitors, you might prescription like Mao Inhibitor prescription amongst others.
Test: Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression after the birth of a child is a special form. There is also a test on our partner portal Baby-und-Familie.de
What Helps With Depression?
Therapy: There are different forms of depression, varying from person to person, and accordingly, different therapies. The cornerstones are psychotherapeutic procedures and medication – so-called antidepressants. Most people with depression can be treated effectively and lead normal, fulfilling lives again. You can find detailed information on treating depression in the chapters Therapy Overview, Medication, Psychotherapy, Supportive Therapy, and Self-Help. The chapter “Strengthening the Soul” reveals how one can prepare for further depressive episodes.
What Can Others Do?
Relatives: Relatives and friends want to be a support for the person affected. At the same time, however, it can seriously affect the relatives’ illness. You can find out how to best come to terms with the situation and watch out for in the subsections “Relatives and friends” and “Tips on behavior “.
What Triggers Depression
Unlike a broken arm, for example, depression usually cannot be traced back to a single cause or trigger. Instead, it develops from the interplay of different influences (factors). On the one hand, some factors lead to a predisposition, i.e., an increased risk of being depressed. There are also current triggers that can cause depression in people with this predisposition. Sufferers often ask the question of whether depression is a physical or “mental” illness. As with a coin, one can look at two sides of every person suffering from depression: the psychosocial and neurobiological sides.