Psychological depression is one of the common psychological problems that many people may suffer from.
What is psychological depression?
It is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy.
Depression may persist for weeks, months, or years despite changing circumstances, and may cause severe and chronic feelings that are disproportionate to the person's circumstances.
What are the types of psychological depression?
There are many types of depression, and the most common types may include:
Severe depression
A person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness.
Persistent depression
Persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least two years.
A person with this disorder may experience episodes of major depression as well as milder symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Severe depression
Some women may experience a short period of grief after giving birth.
There is no single reason for this type of الاكتئابIt can last for several months or years.
Major depression with a seasonal pattern
This type, known as seasonal affective disorder, usually occurs during the winter and fall months, when there is less daylight.
Usually, this type affects people who live in countries with long or severe winters.
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What are the symptoms of psychological depression?
A depressed patient may exhibit psychological and physical symptoms.
Symptoms of depression include:
أعراض الاكتئاب الجسدية
Depression can sometimes cause physical symptoms, including the following:
- Feeling tired and low on energy.
- الأرق.
- Excessive sleep.
- Feeling persistent pain, headache, or cramps.
- Noticeable weight loss or gain unrelated to diet.
- Digestive problems that do not improve even with treatment.
Depression can worsen other health problems, especially chronic pain;
Psychological symptoms of depression
Psychological symptoms include:
- النسيان.
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating.
- صعوبة اتخاذ القرارات البسيطة.
- Feeling excessively worthless or guilty.
- Feeling sad, irritable, empty, and/or hopeless.
- Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed.
- Changes in appetite. Some depressed patients may experience an increase in appetite, while others experience a loss of appetite.
If you notice any symptoms of psychological depression, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Read also:Ways to get rid of depression quickly
What are the five stages of depression?
There is no unified medical model that describes depression with five specific stages, but the stages that a patient may go through during the depression journey to adapt to it may be classified as follows:
- Denying or ignoring the existence of a problem. The patient may blame external circumstances and avoid acknowledging the symptoms.
- Anger or frustration, with oneself or others, with a feeling of unfairness or isolation.
- Compromising or trying to adapt to the situation, such as: changing work, to feel better, and the patient may resort to temporary solutions such as escaping into oversleeping or overworking.
- Succumbing to depression, where symptoms worsen to extreme sadness, loss of interest, and sleep or appetite disturbances. The patient feels helpless and hopeless, and may suffer from negative or suicidal thoughts.
- Acceptance and treatment or recovery, where the patient accepts his need for help and begins searching for treatment, and this is the beginning of the recovery journey.
ما الفرق بين الحزن والاكتئاب؟
Both sadness and depression are psychological conditions that may affect an individual.
Sadness is a natural human emotion that every person experiences in response to a painful situation.
- Absence of a family member
- Divorce
- Loss of job
- Financial problems
- Family problems at home
- Failure in the exam
- Not getting a job
Grief usually passes over time with support from family and friends.
In contrast, depression is a persistent psychological disorder, not linked to a specific event.
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What are the causes that lead to depression?
Depression can affect anyone, but the exact cause of depression is not yet known.
كيمياء الدماغ
An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, may lead to symptoms of psychological depression.
Genetic factors
If you have a first-degree relative with depression, your risk of developing depression may increase.
Taking into account that a person can develop depression without having a family history of it.
العوامل النفسية
Difficult events, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce and isolation, can lead to depression.
الحالات الصحية
Some chronic diseases may lead to depression, including cancer and diabetes.
pharmaceutical
Some medications can cause depression as a side effect.
You can read: مقياس الاكتئاب
How to diagnose depression?
A doctor can diagnose depression based on observation of depression symptoms, the patient's medical history, and mental health history.
To receive a diagnosis of depression, a patient must have five symptoms of depression every day, almost all day, for at least two weeks.
The doctor may request some tests, such as a blood test.
Learn about: أعراض الاكتئاب الجسدية
What is the treatment for depression?
Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions.
Treatment methods include:
Psychotherapy
This treatment includes talking with a psychiatrist.
Sometimes, the patient needs psychotherapy for a short period.
pharmaceutical
Some medications known as antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression.
There are different types of antidepressants that help relieve symptoms, and it may take some time to find out which type is best for the patient.
You should consult a doctor immediately if side effects do not improve.
العلاج بتحفيز الدماغ
Brain stimulation therapy can help people with major depression or depression associated with psychosis.
Types of brain stimulation therapy include:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
When do the symptoms of psychological depression end?
The length of time depression lasts varies from person to person, depending on several factors, including the severity of symptoms, the nature of treatment, and social support.
Tips when treating depression
Following some tips at home may help improve symptoms of depression, including the following:
- ممارسة التمارين الرياضية بانتظام.
- Getting good sleep is neither too little nor too much.
- تناول نظام غذائي صحي.
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, which are considered depressants.
- Spend time with your favorite people.
In conclusion, after learning about the causes and symptoms of psychological depression, it becomes clear to us that depression is a major challenge that requires treatment and psychological support.
Do not hesitate to seek help, and consult a doctor as soon as any symptoms of depression appear.
Frequently asked questions
How long does severe depression last?
The duration of severe depression varies from one patient to another and depends on several factors such as the severity of symptoms, type of depression, treatment followed, and social support. However, according to medical classifications, an episode
Major depression usually lasts from 6 months to a year without treatment, and symptoms may improve with treatment within 4-8 weeks, but complete recovery may take several months.
While severe, resistant depression lasts for longer periods of one year or more, especially if it is not treated effectively.
Does depression change facial features?
Yes, depression may affect facial features in noticeable ways, as facial expressions become less, such as lack of smiling, a blank look, dry feelings, lowered eyebrows, avoidance of eye contact, and the appearance of fatigue and exhaustion in the form of dark circles under the eyes.
Does depression destroy hair?
Yes, depression negatively affects the health of hair and may lead to hair loss, weakness, or even a change in its appearance, due to constant stress and anxiety, but this damage is not permanent in most cases, and can be reversed with appropriate treatment.
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