I don’t know if it was the same in the 12th century. But in the 21st, we very often talk about depression. A recent study showed that more than 30% of the world’s population suffer from depression. A staggering figure. This says a lot about the state of decay of our social systems on the one hand and the workplace.
This problem is not related only to emotions. Or rather, the absence of emotions. It is a state of mind that plunges its victim into an abyss of an absence of desire which owes nothing to chance.
This is often the result of anguish followed by anxiety. We stress. Even exhaustion (see burnout ). By dint of having tried to control the uncontrollable, of having skimmed attempts at solutions that have remained in vain, it is on a soapy slope that the depressed person finds himself. This by trying to hold on when nothing is presented to hold her back.
When depression is bad for good
The difficulty of depression is increased by the injunction in which depressed people find themselves. In their opinion, guilty of not finding the energy to cure the depression, they are victims; they also feel alone because they are not understood.
No matter what type of depression it is, it’s always the same. That of accepting the events of the past. To be part of the present despite everything to prepare for the future.
No longer being what we are. Not being able to project yourself. Being hostage to an absence of desire. So many factors that make patients suspicious in the eyes of some. So there is no need to want to control something that cannot be controlled.
Contrary to what many well-meaning people do to those concerned. Let them be reassured. There is a behavioral way to cure depression quickly and easily. But it’s not to everyone’s taste.
The first challenge is identifying the major causes and symptoms of a depressive state to treat the depression in your best interests.
Therefore, several questions arise:
- What are the causes of depression?
- What are the major symptoms of depression?
The major causes of depression
The major causes of depression can be divided into three main categories:
- Organic
- Psychological
- Environmental
The biological causes of depression
They have not been formally established. Several scientists claim that an imbalance in the secretion of neurotransmitters is the basis of this mental disorder. Here I am talking about molecules that transmit information from one neuron to another. The most affected neurotransmitters are:
- Serotonin: Its role is to balance sleep, regulate appetite and mood
- Norepinephrine: Also called norepinephrine. It is the neurotransmitter responsible for attention and sleep
- Dopamine: Like serotonin, it is responsible for regulating mood. It also influences what concerns the mechanisms of motivation
- Gaba: It is a neurotransmitter that influences the secretion of benzodiazepines such as Valium®. It, therefore, plays an important role in controlling fear and anxiety
The considerable impact of hormonal imbalances on the onset of depression is also suspected. For example, postpartum depression is caused by insufficient secretion of oxytocin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland during breastfeeding.
Depression and psychological causes
The psychological causes associated with the major causes and symptoms of a depressive state are characterized in various forms:
- Emotional shocks: It is a factor triggering a depressive state in many cases. Most of the time, this is a negative event. The loss of a loved one. A love breakup. A family problem. The loss of a job. A trauma.
The reaction of the affected person to this type of situation depends on their emotional capacity. While some people do just fine, others lose their way and sink.
- Personality: It is formed during childhood (between 0 and 6 years). A person who lacks self-confidence or self-esteem is particularly vulnerable to depression and other mental disorders.
- Education: This is an important factor to be taken into account. It can promote the onset of depression. It all depends on received ideas (vision of the world) during childhood. Did you have the feeling of being loved? Feeling like you’re protected? Have you been educated to freely express what you are feeling? Are you a victim of mistreatment or abuse? These are all elements that define a person’s reaction to certain situations experienced in adulthood
- Stress: The direct link between stress and depression is not always easy to establish. Indeed, stressful events occur every day in the life. When they are particularly intense and persist over a long period, they cause general exhaustion, which favors the onset of depression.
Depression and environmental causes
The environmental causes justifying the major causes and symptoms of a depressive state come from those around them. You will find the list below:
- Social isolation
- Divorce involving family separation
- Stressful working environment
- Personal health problems, or various problems affecting loved ones
- High expectations of those around you or demands on yourself
Major symptoms of depression
The following major symptoms characterize the depressive state:
- Depressed mood: The affected person is constantly sad. She feels empty all day long. For no good reason, she cries very often. Think there’s no more hope for her
- Loss of interest: Things she usually enjoys become uninteresting. She won’t leave the house anymore. To meet people. To go to work. To practice his favorite sport, etc. In the evenings, she tells about her days as if her life is monotonous and devoid of any pleasure
- Changes in body weight: Depression causes significant changes in eating habits. These cause a significant increase – or loss – in body weight. The lack of appetite observed in some cases is due to a lack of general interest. In other cases, the observed food excess fills the inner void felt by food.
- Sleep disturbances: It could be insomnia or hypersomnia. Sleeplessness is distinguished by difficulty. And this, despite a proven state of fatigue. Distressing thoughts overcome the person, which keeps her awake for several hours. In cases where she can fall asleep, she wakes up several times during the night. Hypersomnia is a way for the person to escape suffering from a time of sleep significantly above average
- Psychomotor slowdown: Problems with concentration. Slowing down of body language and speech rate
- General fatigue – The depressed person constantly feels tired. She feels a lack of energy, which prevents her from following her usual activities
- Suicidal ideation: They appear in the most serious cases. Recurring ideas of voluntary death invade a person’s mind. It happens that this pushes – sometimes – the interested party to put a plan in place to take action
How to treat depression
Considering the side effects of antidepressants and the controversial effectiveness of alternative medicine, the best treatment for depression is Recovery Groups.
Its effectiveness is scientifically demonstrated by several studies carried out by independent firms.
It is a therapy that is part of the “here and now”. The patient is managed, taking into account his symptoms present.
Before starting treatment for depression, a full workup, usually called a diagnosis, should be done. It determines the possible sources, vectors, and mechanisms of the depressive disorder.
What to do in case of depression
The big question, then, is how to overcome depression. There are many answers. And some rush to treat depression with drugs. But, there is a very simple alternative to cure depression. This alternative is in the program that I have designed to meet patient-sensitive stages of healing from depression. And not just symptoms of depression.
Through the various steps and exercises as integrated into the online therapy and behavioral program that I have designed, you inhibit the dysfunctional thought patterns inherent in depression. Of course, you create new ones. Such behavioral rehabilitation is very beneficial to you in terms of quality of life (ex: having self-confidence and asserting yourself).
When it comes to depression and its symptoms, most of the time, people with depression are convinced that they cannot be cured. However, effective solutions exist.
Treating depression with psychotherapy
Psychotherapy plays an essential role in curing depression. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and family physicians are empowered to support people with depression. And, to begin with, diagnose the problem. These professionals help people who suffer from depression. Just as they also help them overcome all of the related symptoms.
The support groups are good solutions to overcome depressive episodes. Indeed, the support of former depressed can constitute real support in the process of recovery. However, and as I mentioned earlier, these groups are not always efficient.
Support from friends and family is also a great remedy for treating depression and its symptoms. It is essential that the person suffering from depression feels well surrounded. This is to overcome depression.
Treatment of depression with herbal remedies
The good ol ‘old-fashioned remedies are sometimes effective in recovering from depression and its symptoms. Medicinal plants have active ingredients. They exert a direct biological action on the organism. Herbal tea and decoction are the most traditional forms.
For example, to resolve sleep disorders, it is advisable to take lime blossom tea. To effectively manage stress, it is advisable to consume neroli essence. However, studies have shown that herbs are not effective for all forms of depression. Especially the most severe.
These herbal remedies help reduce depression and its symptoms in some people. But, they do not completely cure the disease. In any case, I suggest that you consult a specialist before taking any medicinal plant.
Treatment of depression with antidepressants
This is the treatment used by the majority of people with depressive symptoms. Taking antidepressants is more or less effective. Among the most widely used antidepressant drugs, there are:
- Tricyclics
Clomipramine – Amitriptyline – Doxepin – These are molecules used to treat depression and its symptoms. Their disadvantages are their side effects. Constipation. Weight gain. Drowsiness.
- MAOIs (Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitors)
Irponiazide – Selegiline – Effective against depression. These drugs have side effects. Drowsiness. Anxiety.
- SRN (Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor)
Bupropion – Trazodone – Mirtazapine
- SSRIs
SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This is citalopram or paroxetine. Two drugs commonly prescribed for depression. Be careful; they have side effects. Among these, you find nausea and erectile dysfunction in men.
Antidepressants do not work for 3 to 4 weeks. Once the effects are known in a given patient, the doctor will modify the drug prescription for one or more appropriate molecules.
One of the major drawbacks of treatment with antidepressants is addiction. . To ensure maximum effectiveness, treatment with antidepressants should be continued for 6 to 24 months after the episode of depression resolves. This does not take anything away from relapse episodes. Which, it must be said, are quite common.
Non-drug treatments for depression
Electroconvulsive therapy – ECT
Electric shock treatment used for people who do not respond to antidepressants
Light therapy – Phototherapy
Therapy involves exposing the person with depression to artificial light. This therapy is more used in the case of seasonal depression
Physical activity
Physical activity helps reduce symptoms in a person with depression. The practice of a sport lowers the level of anxiety. Improves appetite. Solves the problem of insomnia. Improves mood and self-esteem. Physical activity also increases the production of hormones responsible for a good mood.
Treating depression with behavior therapy
A behavioral approach is a revolutionary form of treatment for depression. It replaces negative ideas with thoughts and reactions more in line with reality.
The goal is to help the person regain control of their emotions. This, thanks to the modification of thoughts (cognition) and behaviors about given objectives.
Behavioral therapy postulates that all of a person’s depressive thoughts are rooted in negative thoughts and beliefs, which she assimilates throughout her life. It is, therefore, a question of working on their correction.
At the patient’s pace, the difficulties and objectives of therapy will be identified and addressed. The person who suffers from depression is offered exercises. Their goal is to help build new perceptions and behaviors. This to deal more constructively with certain situations. Which usually leads to depression.
The objective of the behavioral approach is to gradually restore the patient’s autonomy. Behavioral therapy is particularly effective. Sixteen cases resolved out of 17 based on an INSERM study. This therapeutic model does not create any form of dependence. This behavioral coaching mainly targets four objectives:
- Learn to deal with depressive situations to assert yourself
- Changing the ideas conveyed by depression
- Fight against internal conflicts and depressive beliefs
- Look for alternative ways to identify and correct automatic thoughts
To effectively and sustainably treat depression, I created a therapeutic and behavioral program available online. It allows you to cure depression in less than eight weeks.
Natural treatment for depression
Most of the time, relatives and caregivers, like sometimes the sick themselves, impose a way of being and doing to end the symptoms of depression.
- “You have no reason to…”
- “Get moving! “
- “Do like this or do like that.”
What terrible sentences incompatible with the reality of people who suffer from depression.
If rationalizing and intellectualizing would help treat depression, you would know it. The solution to depression is in one sentence. “Accept what you cannot change, and everything will be better”. I know it’s crazy, and yet …