Depressed mood, spleen, depression. Psychologist's advice

Correction of depression in adolescents

1.1 Depression as an emotional state of the individual

Depression is an affective state characterized by negative emotional background, changes in the motivational sphere, cognitive representations and general passivity of behavior. Subjectively, a person experiences, first of all, heavy, painful emotions and experiences - depression, longing, despair. Differ functional states depression possible in healthy people as part of normal mental functioning, and pathological depression, which is one of the main psychiatric syndromes. The use of the term " depression" relies on the psychological component of this concept. The term "depressive state" refers to the class of mental states, having the necessary psychological characteristics for this ( mental condition- this is a concept used for conditional allocation in the psyche of an individual with respect to a static moment).

Depression has two components:

1) subjective experience of negative affect;

2) symptoms of its expression in behavior, facial expressions, gestures, certain shifts in the internal environment of the body. With depression as a disease, the third component is also taken into account - pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease, one of the manifestations of which is emotional disturbances.

Depressions are always realized in the inseparable unity of mental and somatic changes, which has a certain dynamics on different stages development of depression. Moreover, in some cases, changes in the somatic sphere of the body can outpace psychopathological symptoms or come to the fore in the clinical picture of depression. From the point of view of psychology, somatic changes and disorders arise due to mental disorders, including depression. Depression as a functional disorder occurs as a result of certain mental changes.

According to the famous psychotherapist Pokrass Mikhail Lvovich, depression is a manifestation and essential tool conscious or unconscious restructuring of the motivational value system - a tool of choice, a mechanism for self-building or self-destruction. Depression occurs whenever a person is faced with the absence of a condition, without which it is impossible for him to satisfy his values, to preserve the integrity of the "I" or life itself, it is impossible to carry out an important activity for him.

Depression, according to the American psychotherapist S. Trickett, is often the result of anxiety. In a state of anxiety, a person's actions are accelerated, while in depression, on the contrary, they slow down. Depression acts as a forced rest of the body after anxiety.

S. Trickett emphasizes that a depressive state to a greater or lesser extent affects the whole person, rebuilds his entire structure - from thoughts to his behavior. Although these changes may occur gradually, a depressed person is different than before the depression began. It is even possible that he becomes his own opposite.

The most obvious and typical sign of depression is a dreary mood, as well as feelings of depression, loneliness, or apathy. A person in a state of depression can cry, even when there seems to be no obvious reason, or, conversely, loses the ability to cry during truly difficult events. An oppressive feeling of depression, emptiness, complete hopelessness are symptoms of depressive disorders in most people. The gloomy mood is not just sadness, it is excruciating mental pain. However, not all depressed people experience sadness. In children and adolescents, the state of depression manifests itself more often in the form of not a dull mood, but irritability. Young people in a state of depression are mostly capricious, easily irritated, and they talk mainly about their own "ugliness", "stupidity", about their "uselessness". Other adults in a state of depression are also not at all sad, but obnoxious, grumbling, and even angry and hostile. Older people often complain not of a depressed mood, but of unpleasant physical sensations and pain.

Kurpatov A.V. believes that in depression, many become isolated in themselves, fenced off from others. It is characteristic that a person in a state of depression has a very negative view of himself. He is convinced of his own helplessness and complete loneliness in this world. Blames himself for the most trivial errors and shortcomings. Depressed people are characterized by a pessimistic view of themselves, the world, their own future. depressed man loses interest in what is happening around, and often does not enjoy the activities that usually pleased him. He often has difficulty in accepting, as well as in fulfilling already decisions taken.

According to E. V. Kovalev, during depression, persistently negative, hopeless thoughts about the future and the present prevail. They may be mixed with thoughts of death and suicide. A depressed person feels alone, inferior, hopeless, and useless: he is pessimistic about almost everything. Up to 80% of all depressions occur with suicidal tendencies (thoughts of suicide and attempts to commit suicide).

In addition, according to S. Trickett, a depressed person may experience difficulties with concentration, attention, memory and decision-making. Therefore, in older people, the disorientation that occurs due to depression can be mistaken for senile dementia and insanity. And as the most extreme manifestation, inconsistency and randomness of thoughts is possible.

Excessive anxiety and horror of real events can also accompany depression: according to studies, more than 60 percent of people with depression feel intense anxiety; their normal appetite and sleep may be disturbed. Most lose weight, but some, as a result of their illness, begin to eat even more, and sometimes they overeat, then they don’t eat at all. Sleep and fatigue are also major concerns. People with depression may wake up early, sometimes cannot fall asleep at all, or sleep much more than usual. Even if they sleep, their sleep is usually restless, without dreams, they have difficulty falling asleep, or they are tormented by nightmares filled with images of death, destruction, and darkness. Consequently, sleep does little to alleviate their all-consuming feeling of fatigue and exhaustion sets in.

In addition, depression may be accompanied by a loss of interest in sex. For some depressed people, the need for sexual intimacy turns into an insatiable hunger that leads to constant anxiety that they will be abandoned or rejected. Self-loathing and self-depreciation, especially when it comes to feelings of inferiority about one's body, can be the focus of depression.

Apathy and inability to finish work, as well as difficulty in reading and studying, are all symptoms of depression. M. Golant notes that in depression "... every breath can be accompanied by deep moans. Some people are constantly filled with tears or are simply on the verge of losing their temper, crying at every slightest occasion. Some stoop and barely drag their legs, while others, on the contrary, are excited and nervous "Some people with depression are able to function despite their illness, while others are unable to even perform simple daily tasks, such as getting dressed, cooking or eating, bathing or going to work." All these symptoms interact with each other and overlap each other, and do not act alone. One symptom can lead to another, and as a result, the person begins to "roll down." It is difficult to cope with this alone, the help of a specialist can help a person in this situation.

Specialists were interested not only in the manifestations of depression, but also in its causes, among which A. Lowen highlights such as the pursuit of unrealistic goals. The basic human needs, other than physiological ones, are love, self-expression, and freedom.

By pursuing our illusions, we set ourselves unrealistic goals, that is, those goals, the achievement of which, in our opinion, will set us free and restore our right to self-expression. and give us the ability to love. Moreover, it is not the goals themselves that are unrealistic, but the rewards that should follow after their achievement. Among the goals that many pursue are the following: wealth, success and fame. No amount of money can provide the inner satisfaction that in itself makes life joyful and valuable. In most cases, the desire to acquire wealth diverts energy from more creative, more self-expressive activities and leads to impoverishment of the spirit.

Depression has become so common these days because we live in an unreality and most of our energy goes into pursuing unrealistic goals. A person will be subject to depression as long as he seeks sources for self-realization outside himself. If he thinks that, having all the material advantages that his neighbors have, he will become more important, be more human, live in peace with himself, he may be bitterly disappointed. And with disappointment comes depression.

People can be divided into two categories: those who focus on the external world and its values and those who live in their inner world. AT broad sense An inward-oriented person has a strong and deep feeling self. Unlike a person from the outside world, his behavior and views are little influenced by the constantly changing conditions of the external environment. His personality has internal stability and order, is on a solid foundation of self-awareness and self-acceptance. He stands firmly on his feet and knows what he stands on. All these qualities are absent in an externally oriented person who is highly dependent on others, especially in his emotional sphere. Deprived of the support of others, he becomes depressed. Another difference between the man of the inner world and the outer world is what they believe. Man focused on his inner world, believes in himself. A person who is focused on the outside world believes in other people, so he always runs the risk of being disappointed.

So, with depression, almost all spheres suffer - emotional, intellectual, volitional, and necessarily motivational, which manifests itself both subjectively in the client's complaints and objectively - in a change in behavior. A persistent decrease in mood in depression is combined with a loss of interest in what was previously perceived as attractive, satisfying or joyful - various forms of leisure, communication, reading books, hobbies, etc.

Not only will the feeling of satisfaction as a result of such activity disappear, the depressed person has no motivation, there is no desire to start this activity, and interest in the activity itself is replaced by indifference and irritation, these violations are one of the main diagnostic features depression, which is referred to as "loss of interest and pleasure."

So depression is mental disorder, characterized by a depressive triad: a decrease in mood, loss of the ability to experience joy (anhedonia), impaired thinking.

In the next paragraph, we will consider the features of the manifestation of depressive states in adolescents.

The influence of socio-psychological training on the emotional state of the individual

Depression and stress tolerance in adolescents with motor tics, methods for their determination and correction

Tic hyperkinesis negatively affects the mental and emotional state of the child. Approximately half of patients with Tourette's syndrome develop obsessive-compulsive disorder during adolescence and adolescence ...

An excess of unrealizable energy causes a feeling of discomfort and tension. The most common negative mental states are anxiety, depression, asthenia, and aggression (hostility). Anxiety depressive...

Study psychosomatic disorders For example oncological diseases

One of the most striking negative emotional states is the state of depression. L. Kemlinsky (2002) characterizing depression notes "During depression, sadness overtakes a person for no apparent reason ...

The main approaches to the problem of emotional states in foreign psychology

There are many definitions of the concept of "emotional state". Different authors single out emotional states either as a separate group or as a kind of mental states...

Losses. Death. Woe

In 1969, one of the founders of the death awareness movement, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (USA), identified 5 emotional stages that a person goes through when he receives the news of an expected death or loss. Time...

Psychological features child-parent relationships in single-parent families

It is known that the appearance of emotional reactions is associated with a number of adverse events in childhood. Family conflicts, lack of love, death of one of the parents or divorce can become strong psychotraumatic factors...

Psychological content school anxiety

Process learning activities actually occurs against the background of a change in specially created situations. The teacher is well aware that whole line Such situations can lead students to a state of severe anxiety, insecurity ...

Socio-psychological features anxiety states in children preschool age

Emotions and feelings are a reflection of reality in the form of experiences. Various forms of experiencing feelings (emotions, affects, moods, stresses, passions, etc.) together form the emotional sphere of a person ...

Emotional burnout of a professional personality

Key components of symptom development emotional burnout is the discrepancy between the personality, its ability to withstand stress and demands environment...

Pregnancy is a very special time of constant change, transformation. The process of development and growth of the child takes place in the mother's uterus, and the woman herself changes during pregnancy and childbirth - she becomes a mother ...

The emotional state of a woman during pregnancy

reproductive system women is one of the most sensitive indicators of their health status...

Emotional states of a person

Objectives of the study: · to identify the most popular musical styles among high school students, · to reveal the attitude of high school students to different musical genres. Research methods: 1. Luscher test (short version)...

An empirical study of the relationship between the level of emotional burnout and personal characteristics entrepreneurs

If a person has depression - emotional manifestations are difficult to hide. Even to men. Although everyone knows that stronger sex it is not common to shed tears with or without reason. This is especially true when it comes to psychological trauma.

And therefore, they quite often attribute frequent emotional breakdowns to fatigue at work, a crisis, lack of time, or something else, but not to the symptoms of impending depression.

Most of the representatives of the stronger sex are, one way or another, hostages of stereotypes from the series "real guys don't complain about anything." Of course, who argues that Superman is the standard of masculinity, reliability, impeccability in everything. Be it health or behavior.

If you get sick - take an aspirin and go ahead to perform feats. Negative emotions flooded - pull yourself together. Tired - rest for a week and again two years without a vacation.

And to the question: "How are you?" the answer should be simple and concise, even for the closest: "Everything is in order, no problem!" And suddenly, after finding enough long time in such a "fail-safe" mode, for no reason at all, an emotional failure of the program occurs. A nightmare begins, obvious even to an outside observer.

Until recently, cold-blooded and impassive, a man becomes extremely unrestrained and touchy because of some trifles: a casually sounded replica of the boss, a burst car tire or burnt meatballs.

Stops meeting with friends: they all suddenly transform into "rare bores" and do not understand him at all. For a long time does not communicate with loved ones.

Without good reasons skips work or unexpectedly, in the middle of the week, returns home after a feast, but in a depressed mood. Dinner remains intact, and sleep is disturbing. Occasionally there is a phrase about discomfort in the chest. In an independent search for the reasons, the arrows are translated again - the same to negative emotions received at work or it is not clear where the fatigue that came from after a recent vacation came from.

If all these symptoms eventually go away on their own, very good. And if they only get worse, the specter of a serious illness called depression may loom on the horizon.

Statistics show that women are twice as likely to suffer from this disease. Of every hundred examined, about twenty percent of the fairer sex and only eight to ten percent of men.

But in the latter it is more problematic to diagnose. They are used to hiding their emotions from others. Even in heart-to-heart conversations with friends and relatives, they do not complain about anything, they do not seek sympathy. Although they share problems, they keep at the same time “peppy”.

As a result, they begin to engage in the restoration of health when the disease is already sufficiently advanced. Often they don't do it at all.

The first, which is not common, is endogenous, due to the specifics of the functioning of the brain and is predetermined by heredity. The second, somatogenic, manifests itself as a result of a head injury or a serious illness.

The third, psychogenic, arises in the course of experiences associated with various excesses (loss of work, disappointment in some kind of one's ideal, midlife crisis, etc.).

We list the manifestations of depression, the presence of which should alert:

unpredictable headaches or heartaches, disturbed appetite and sleep;

malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract;

indifferent attitude towards appearance, and sometimes - neglect of personal hygiene: a man stops shaving and changing shirts on time; begins to stoop and look older than his years;

loss of interest in the opposite sex;

nervousness, irritability in relation to everything;

slowness in the construction of phrases and a certain clumsiness in body movements, problems with the perception of unfamiliar material;

prolonged inactivity near the TV, aimlessly looking at the patterns on the ceiling.

This may alternate with suddenly manifesting feverish behavior: a person, for no reason at all, packs a backpack and goes kayaking or starts a renovation in the kitchen. It would be a mistake in this case to take a breath of relief: apathy returns to replace the short-lived initiative;

infantilism in solving current problems and a doomed look into the future;

unexpected addiction to unusual risky sports, alcoholic beverages;

thoughts about death.

In addition to disturbing the emotional background, depression negatively affects the physiological state of the body. Scientists have found that this disease seriously reduces immunity.

Depression reduces the activity of cells that rid the body of harmful substances. Thus he acquires hypersensitivity to infections. And the man in
fiftieth blooming age the immune system can start working like a seventy-year-old.

Studies have also shown that men suffering from depression in the blood increases the amount of so-called "bad" cholesterol. As a result, the risk of another serious disease - atherosclerosis - increases. So one disease leads to another.

Another disease associated with depression is rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors have noticed that it often develops in a person against the background of severe losses and the long-term negative emotions that accompany them.

Of course, depression does not directly affect the course of the disease, but quite often it becomes the starting mechanism for its occurrence in the presence of unfavorable heredity.

Defeating depression with emotional restructuring

First aid for depression - support and positive emotions in relation to the sick person from relatives and households. It would be great to just spend time together. In addition, it is recommended:

Depression is an affective state characterized by a negative emotional background, changes in the motivational sphere, cognitive representations, and general passivity of behavior. Subjectively, a person experiences, first of all, heavy, painful emotions and experiences - depression, longing, despair. There are functional states of depression that are possible in healthy people within the framework of normal mental functioning, and pathological depression, which is one of the main psychiatric syndromes. The use of the term "depressive state" in this work is based on the psychological component of this concept. .

Depression has two components:

1) subjective experience of negative affect;

2) symptoms of its expression in behavior, facial expressions, gestures, certain shifts in the internal environment of the body. With depression as a disease, the third component is also taken into account - the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease, one of the manifestations of which is emotional disturbances.

Depressions are always realized in the inextricable unity of mental and somatic changes, which has a certain dynamics at different stages of the development of depressive states. Moreover, in some cases, changes in the somatic sphere of the body can outpace psychopathological symptoms or come to the fore in the clinical picture of depression. From the point of view of psychology, somatic changes and disorders arise as a result of mental disorders, including depression. Depression as a functional disorder occurs as a result of certain mental changes.

According to the well-known psychotherapist Pokrass Mikhail Lvovich, depression is a manifestation and a necessary tool for conscious or unconscious restructuring of the motivational value system - a tool of choice, a mechanism for self-building or self-destruction. Depression occurs whenever a person is faced with the absence of a condition, without which it is impossible for him to satisfy his values, preserve the integrity of the “I” or life itself, and it is impossible to carry out an activity that is important for him.

Depression, according to the American psychotherapist S. Trickett, is often the result of anxiety. In a state of anxiety, a person’s actions are accelerated, while in depression, on the contrary, they slow down. Depression acts as a forced rest of the body after anxiety.

Kurpatov A.V. believes that in depression, many close in on themselves, fenced off from others. It is characteristic that a person in a state of depression has a very negative view of himself. He is convinced of his own helplessness and complete loneliness in this world. Blames himself for the most trivial errors and shortcomings. Depressed people are characterized by a pessimistic view of themselves, the world, their own future. A depressed person loses interest in what is going on around him and often does not enjoy activities that would normally please him. He often has difficulty making and also implementing decisions already made.

In addition, depression may be accompanied by a loss of interest in sex. For some depressed people, the need for sexual intimacy turns into an insatiable hunger that leads to constant anxiety about being abandoned or rejected. Self-loathing and self-depreciation, especially when it comes to feelings of inferiority about one's body, can be the focus of depression.

Lethargy and inability to finish work, as well as difficulty in reading and studying, are all symptoms of depression. M. Golant notes that in depression “... every breath can be accompanied by deep groans. Some people burst into tears all the time or are just on the verge of losing their temper, crying at every little provocation. Some slouch and barely drag their feet, while others, on the contrary, are excited and nervous. Some people with depression are able to function despite their illness, while others are unable to even perform simple daily activities, such as getting dressed, cooking or eating, bathing or going to work.” All these symptoms interact with each other and overlap each other, and do not act alone. One symptom can lead to another, and as a result, the person begins to “roll down”. It is difficult to cope with this alone, the help of a specialist can help a person in this situation.

People can be divided into two categories: those who focus on the external world and its values and those who live in their inner world. Broadly speaking, the inward-oriented person has a strong and deep sense of self. Unlike a person from the outside world, his behavior and views are little influenced by the constantly changing conditions of the external environment. His personality has internal stability and order, is on a solid foundation of self-awareness and self-acceptance. He stands firmly on his feet and knows what he stands on. All these qualities are absent in an externally oriented person who is highly dependent on others, especially in his emotional sphere. Deprived of the support of others, he becomes depressed. Another difference between the man of the inner world and the outer world is what they believe. A person who is focused on his inner world believes in himself. A person who is focused on the outside world believes in other people, so he always runs the risk of being disappointed.

Not only will the feeling of satisfaction as a result of such activity disappear, the depressed person has no motivation, there is no desire to start this activity, and interest in the activity itself is replaced by indifference and irritation, these disorders constitute one of the main diagnostic signs of depression, which is referred to as "loss of interest and enjoyment."

Thus, depression is a mental disorder characterized by a depressive triad: decreased mood, loss of the ability to experience joy (anhedonia), and impaired thinking.

In the next paragraph, we will consider the features of the manifestation of depressive states in adolescents.

www.zdravosil.ru

About depression and different subtypes of a depressive personality (following the seminar by N. McWilliams, part 4)

Today we will talk about one of the personality types - depressive.

According to various observations and studies, this type is the most common among people who choose the profession of a psychotherapist. The next most common type is schizoid. And this is not surprising, given the special level of sensitivity of these people.

In her book, Nancy McWilliams described in some detail the features of depressive personalities, so in the article I will mainly pay attention to those things that are least reflected in the book.

The first thing that is important to note is that there is a fundamental difference between depression as a disorder(state) and depressive personality as a mental structure organized in a special way. Sometimes they are called melancholy ( true depression) and grief, respectively. I wrote a little about it here. People who are depressed or grief-stricken have similar moods, but there are also significant differences between them. First, depression is characterized painful sensation emptiness: it seems to a person that he has lost a part of himself; in grief, the world around seems empty. Secondly, during grief (experiencing some kind of loss), when it is worked through, grief gradually disappears. This does not happen with depression, it is usually chronic. The third criterion is the allocation of the most obvious symptoms. If autonomic disorders (sleep disorders, appetite disorders, etc.) and intense depressive affect come to the fore, then we are most likely talking about depression. If we observe certain recurring patterns in the patient's life and behavior, if there are triggers for the emergence of his experiences, then we are probably facing a person with a depressive personality type. That being said, it is important to understand that a person with a depressive personality type may not experience depression as a disorder.

The second point to which Nancy emphasized in her lecture was that There are two subtypes among depressive individuals: "guilty" and "devastated." In the book, Nancy described mainly the first type. Let's look at both of them in more detail in this article.

1. General characteristics

- "Guilty" subtype. Modern psychoanalysts also call it the introjective depressive organization.

The psychoanalytic approach suggests that in childhood such a person had many losses, and the child created a theory according to which “I am the bad one, since this happened.” This leads to the fact that in order not to happen unpleasant in his life, he will blame himself and really feel guilty.

- "Devastated" subtype. Or an anaclitic depressive organization.

The basic experience of such people is "I am empty, I am hungry, I need something." At the same time, one's own I is felt not so much as guilty, but as empty, ashamed. "Mom didn't leave because I was bad, but because I wasn't interesting enough."

Most people with the depressive type have both of these tendencies. But it is important to understand which one is dominant in your patient.

2. Tactics and success of psychotherapy

Nancy cites as an example a study in which patients with an anaclitic and introjective organization were offered a course of psychotherapy of about 30 sessions. The results were as follows.

— Anaclitic subtype. Immediately after the end of the course of psychotherapy, significant progress was noted compared with the second group. At the same time, it practically did not matter what exactly the therapists told them. This fact is explained by the fact that people with an anaclitic organization simply need relationships, and psychotherapy provides them with these relationships. But the longitudinal study also showed that after the end of the course of psychotherapy, these patients quickly lost what they had gained. They became depressed again.

In introjective depressive patients, the results were different. They needed more time to show at least the first minor successes. Their reaction was directly related to what the therapist was saying. It is important for them to know that what is happening to them has nothing to do with the fact that they are bad. And after the end of psychotherapy, they maintained their success.

Another observation was made in this study. Introjective and anaclitic patients reacted differently to the study itself. The anaclitic patients really liked the fact that they were part of the study. It gave them the feeling that they were being taken care of. They liked being assigned to a specific psychotherapist, and they loved filling out questionnaires and evaluation sheets. Introjective patients did not like the study very much. Because they are perfectionists by nature, they did not like being assigned to a particular therapist, depriving them of the opportunity to choose one for themselves. They also did not like filling out questionnaires and evaluation sheets, because they were afraid that their progress was not as great as the therapist would like.

3. Defense mechanisms

- The introjective subtype more often uses, as the name suggests, androjection.

- The anaclitic subtype is characterized by regression.

Both subtypes can often respond bodily, demonstrating certain somatic symptoms. Because the trauma of rejection happens early enough in their experience, they get stuck at the preverbal level and use bodily reactions instead of words.

4. Features of psychotherapeutic technique

The anaclitic subtype, characterized by feelings of emptiness, needs tremendous support and empathy. In a conversation with them, it is important to emphasize the positive aspects that they have, or that appear in the process of psychotherapy. It is important to strengthen them in a sense of self-worth, to "fill" them from the inside.

But this should never be done with patients of the introjective subtype. Any praise and support (for example, words like: “I know that you are depressed. But I want to note that at the same time you manage to cope with the family, take care of the child, etc.”) they can perceive as criticism that only exacerbate their depression. Or they may feel misunderstood by the therapist ("If he knew how bad I really am, he wouldn't say that"). Such patients may also respond to supportive phrases. inner feeling that they deceived the therapist. Or that the therapist is very good, so the therapist wants to see them as good. In any case, this confirms the feeling of their own badness.

In terms of ego psychology, when working with patients of the introjective subtype, one should not support the ego, but attack the superego. For example, instead of broadcasting the message “You are enough good man” (ego support), it’s better to say something like: “Why do you think you are so uniquely bad? How did you come to the conclusion that you are worse everyone else? (super ego attack).

How to recognize hysterical depression

Hysterical depression - another variant of the course atypical depression. A demonstratively exaggerated experience of one's grief comes to the fore, while signs of depression, motor retardation, a slowdown in the pace of thinking and speech, and a melancholy effect are insignificantly expressed.

Given emotional disorder most often occurs in psychopathic personalities hysterical warehouse.

The most common cause of hysterical depression is death. loved one or breaking up a relationship.

Main symptoms

The patient everywhere talks about his grief, about how hard it is for him to endure the loss of a loved one, can describe the funeral in detail (farewell to the deceased, closing the coffin, lowering him into the grave), what he felt at the same time, and the description itself will be accompanied by groans, tears, hand-wringing, fainting.

There may be complaints about the presence of pathological bodily sensations (for example, a “needle”, a “nail” in the heart, a “hot object in the form of a ball” in the lower abdomen). Complaints can change, with an objective study, there will be no deviations from the work of internal organs.

In some cases, hallucinations may occur (most often these are “visions” of the deceased), while the patient himself can continue to “communicate” with him, conduct a dialogue, refusing to believe in his death.

There may be sleep disorders (both insomnia and increased drowsiness), appetite, somatovegetative manifestations in the form of a coma in the throat, hoop-type headaches, speech difficulties, gait disturbance, and sensitivity.

Sometimes hysterical depression occurs in phases - this is typical endogenous depression developing in individuals with hysterical psychopathic features. In this case, the genetically inherent hereditary predisposition to depression is combined with psychopathic personality traits.

In the presence of increased attention to one's feelings, one's condition on the part of others, a person's condition can improve for a short time. Despite the fact that the patients themselves describe their condition as extremely difficult, in difficult situations at work, in the family, they can “get together” and cope with current affairs.

Attempts to draw the attention of others to their grief can lead to demonstrative self-harming behavior - superficial cuts to the hands, to threats to commit suicide. Such actions are more often performed to attract attention, but during a fit of despair, real suicidal attempts are also possible.

Treatment of hysterical depression is carried out depending on which symptoms prevail. Most often, they resort to a combination of an antidepressant (fluoxetine, sertraline) with an anxiolytic (phenazepam, diazepam). In the presence of hallucinations, antipsychotics may be prescribed.

Depression: a condition, a disease or a whim?

Nature has created us in such a way that we have everything we need to better adapt to the world. There are several basic feelings that make up the basic set for those events that are embedded in the life process.

Life is a dangerous thing and we have FEAR. A feeling that helps us determine the degree of danger and save ourselves in time. Our other helper ANGER. Feeling necessary for protection. To support us in this difficult and dangerous world we have JOY. And since life is impossible without losses, it helps us to survive them. SORROW.

Each of these senses has a complex system of functioning inside the body. Central nervous system produces certain substances in a given order and pace, including in our body those parts of it that are necessary for survival.

So, for example, in fear, blood flows to the limbs so that we can escape, and in joy, internal opioids are thrown out, making us feel euphoric. Every feeling has its own emotions. It's okay to laugh when it's funny and scared when it's scary. It's okay to cry when you're sad. This is a very simplified scheme, but all these mechanisms are described in some detail and are available for self-study. I suggest that you stop at SORROW.

HOW GROWTH TURNS INTO DEPRESSION

In fact, life is a series of gains, losses, gains, and so on. The circle does not open, and life does not end. We cope with the fear of the new and let a new day, people, events, things into our lives. We fill up, get used to it, love it all, and then we are faced with the fact that nothing is eternal.

We can lose our phone, we can change jobs, we can move to another city, we can burn a hole in our dress. We part with things, places, events. Every evening we have to say goodbye to the lived morning, afternoon. In autumn, we say goodbye to summer, and celebrating a birthday, with a lived year.

And, of course, we have to say goodbye to people. After graduating from school, we say goodbye not only to childhood, but also to almost all classmates. Children grow up and leave us. Someone leaves our life, and someone from this world.

This is how this world works. We are always finding something and losing something. We are used to most losses and do not even notice them. But what was valuable and close to us is hard to lose. In order for us to cope with this process, nature has created a sense of sadness. Feelings that help us cope with loss.

The simplest understanding of sadness is mourning a loss, or mourning. From the word grief, which accurately names what we feel. We are hurt, hard and very sad.

We have created entire rituals to ease the process of mourning. The bride was first mourned and only then celebrated, graduation from school first takes place at the Last Bell, and then there will be graduation. The funeral is one of the largest rituals in terms of significance, and mourning has its own clear deadlines.

The process of mourning the loss has its own stages, each of which should not be skipped. But the main feeling of the whole process, of course, is sadness. We have to mourn our losses.

Tears not only have a bactericidal and analgesic effect, which has been proven by biologists. On a psychological level, tears are a balm for a wounded soul. There is a beautiful symbol of tears in the form of a river, along which we can swim through the most difficult sections on the path of our lives.

If everything is so beautifully arranged, then what's the problem?

The thing is, man is an imperfect being. And in order to live normally, he needs to constantly make efforts and improve. Life is like an escalator going down. To get up, you need to move your legs. In other words, we need to be able to grieve. We must be taught by our parents. And they must be supported by the world of people. What happens in practice? Let's start with the family.

DO NOT CRY!

Every family has its own rules about what feelings can and cannot be expressed. And if in your family there was a ban on the manifestation of sadness, then you had to force out this feeling. This does not mean that you have stopped experiencing it. It's impossible. But you stop expressing it outwardly.

No tears, no sadness, no sadness. The energy released by the body is looking for a way out. Since she cannot legally express herself (mourning), she may come out through those feelings that have been allowed. Well, for example, fear. And then you become anxious and suspicious. That is, you are afraid more and more often than the situation requires.

Or joy. And then you laugh at your losses, gradually turning into a sad clown who is allowed to take off his mask only in his cramped dressing room, alone with himself. Or anger. And then you turn into a constantly angry person who is angry with or without reason.

If all feelings were forbidden in your family (and this happens quite often), then your body has to take on the entire burden of living them. Needless to say, the clinic becomes your second home.

In addition to being allowed to express our feelings, we need our parents to teach us how to do it right. Supported us in this process so that we can seek and receive support in adulthood.

The main law in understanding the process of mourning is as follows:

WE CAN RECOVER ANY LOSS. WITH ADEQUATE SUPPORT.

That is, people who died “of grief” simply did not have the necessary support. Neither external nor internal. Their inner parents were cold and cruel, and outside help was not enough. I put quotes on purpose. In the literal sense, you cannot die of grief. One can die from sickness caused by feelings, or unconsciously let the world kill oneself.

But what about humanity?

NO DEATH. HAPPY END.

Mankind has not always been afraid of death. It once respected her. People have always believed in their divine origin and understood that there is a great plan for the human soul. And, therefore, its existence cannot be limited to a few decades. That is, the transformation takes place constantly and our soul travels in time, changing its shells.

All spiritual practices view death as a transition and natural stage in the growth of the spirit. Never before has so much attention been paid to the body shell as the last couple of hundred years.

The more we go towards the material, the more we lose something, without which life becomes more and more terrible. We have lost respect for death. And this means that there is nothing more to grieve about. Sadness has become an unnecessary attribute.

Mankind wants to rejoice, not to be sad. "Dry your tears and rejoice!" Stories must end with a happy ending, the hero cannot die, and good triumphs over evil. Death is always evil, so it must be avoided in any way. The “dead” water has disappeared from the fairy tale. And people naively expect that they will be saved only alive.

We have forgotten how to grieve correctly - THIS IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF DEPRESSION. That is why it can be called a product of civilization. And that's why my grandmother would say "you're mad about fat, go get busy" in response to complaints about depression. But I can't say that to my clients. I know that their suffering is painful and not invented.

Avoiding the pain of loss, and in fact the fear of death, has led humanity to the fact that sadness has gone into the unconscious. And then it turned into depression. This transformation made the normal feeling of sadness excessive and painful.

Depression is essentially chronic sadness. From the point of view of maintaining energy balance, it will be interesting to know where energy flows away during depression? After all, the classics of depression looks like a decline: mood, activity, self-esteem, life prospects, ability to think.

It is similar to how a full-flowing river, when the environment is disturbed, goes underground. This is a very symbolic action that will help us decipher fairy tales.

TALES ABOUT DEPRESSION

There are many stories about depression. This means that mankind has always understood the significance of the process of mourning and gave people the necessary recommendations through such a form as legends. This is the most direct way to put into the unconscious knowledge about life. Faith helps people gain knowledge more easily and quickly.

Modern man wants to understand and explain everything from a materialistic position, and therefore has lost a huge storehouse of wisdom, embedded in fairy tales, legends, myths. And children now listen to adult stories about invented characters that have nothing to do with archetypal symbols. And they contain information about the world order, the mechanisms of relationships and much more that we need to learn in childhood in order to become strong adults.

But ignorance is no excuse. And the world still rapes Sleeping Beauties (in a fairy tale, a passing prince regularly used her, she even gave birth to children in a dream), Ugly ducklings never find their swan flocks, and heroes drown in the swamps.

A swamp in a fairy tale is one of the most common images that symbolizes the stage of mourning or depression. And at the bottom of the swamp, as we remember, there is a golden key. Symbolically, the key is the answer to the question. And the golden key is a wise answer, "worth its weight in gold." And he will get only to those who overcome the fear of pain from sadness.

In other fairy tales, the hero must go to hell. There he will get something without which it is impossible to reach a successful end. And only a few manage to pass this test. It is impossible to become whole without this feat. And it can be more difficult than chopping the heads of dragons or catching the wind. Thus, the hero will have to grow up, meeting with depression and coping with it. Can't be avoided.

And now the main intrigue. What is the question, the answer to which is so necessary to find? What is it without which you are doomed to depression?

This is an open question. Moreover, I'm sure you know him.

WHAT IS THE SENSE OF LIFE?

We are arranged in such a way that the search for meaning is a natural need of human consciousness. Therefore, we begin to suffer from the loss of meaning in our earliest meaningful childhood. All these children's questions "why" just about it. But if they didn’t answer us, then we could stop asking them. There comes a point when the hunger for meaning becomes unbearable.

Finding meaning in material things, in other people, in any kind of attachment, we are doomed to the pain of loss. All this is temporary and impermanent. As soon as we get attached to something or someone, everything can end. And only the ability to experience losses and understanding the meaning of what is happening can help us cope with pain.

DEPRESSION AS A LIFE SCENARIO

Claude Steiner described three main life scenarios: "without love", "without reason" and "without joy". Here is what he writes about the “no joy” scenario:

“Most 'civilized' people feel neither the pain nor the joy that the body could bring them. The extreme degree of alienation from one's body is addiction to drugs, but ordinary, non-addicted people (especially men) are just as susceptible to it.

They don't feel love or ecstasy, they can't cry, they can't hate. Their whole life goes on in their head. The head is considered the center of the human being, the smart computer that controls the stupid body.

The body is considered only as a machine, its purpose is considered to be work (or the execution of other orders of the head). Feelings, pleasant or unpleasant, are considered an obstacle to its normal functioning.”

In people who are truly depressed, this attitude towards the body and feelings is typical. And most often their depression is hidden. And their whole life is aimed at relieving stress from the lack of joy.

Yes, experiencing joy is nothing but a healthy need. And the dissatisfaction of the need will inevitably cause tension and, as a result, pain. Life becomes a search for a "cure" to relieve pain. It can be real medicines or chemicals, or it can be different activities, hobbies, relationships.

Where only a person does not run from depression! And in work, and in relationships, and in all sorts of courses, and in games, and in travel. And from the outside it is very difficult to distinguish whether all this really brings joy, or just relieves pain. Therefore, behind every active manifestation, I professionally look for signs of depression. And I'm very happy when I don't. But this happens, unfortunately, rarely.

So, we live in a deceptive fog that hides depression from view. To be honest, it's not something to be ashamed of. The problem is that the person himself does not immediately understand that he is depressed. After all, to admit it means to plunge into it. And people are afraid of being hurt. So they walk along the edge of the swamp all their lives knee-deep in mud, vicious circle, being under the illusion that everything is not so bad. Yes, somewhere there is solid soil, warm sand, mountains and seas, but even here it’s not bad, why take risks.

The problem is that you can not turn around and immediately step on solid clean ground. We'll have to cross the swamp, and it's too dangerous. It is important to know that the degree of danger does not depend on the depth of the swamp, but on support along the way.

We don't die of depression, it's only our fear of asking for help that kills us. Do you remember the parable about Nasreddin, in which he rescued a rich bai who was drowning in the city fountain? The crowd tried to save him and shouted: "Give me your hand!" And Nasreddin said: "on hand." This is how we become greedy for ourselves and do not reach out to help us, even when there are a crowd of people around us who are ready to help.

MANDATORY DEPRESSION

There are stages in life when depression is indispensable. And the most important is the mid-life crisis. A stage that looks like a pass on a mountain that you climbed and from which you now have to descend.

Life passes for half, and without a correct review of the accumulated baggage, its second half may not look like a pleasant descent, but a fall. The depression of this period is inevitable.

We have to say goodbye to youth, physical strength, children who have flown away from the nest, aged or dead parents. But most importantly, with illusions. Not everything is ahead. Moreover, the end is already in sight. Yes, it is far away, but already visible. And reality appears before us in all its clarity and rigidity.

If you do not say goodbye to illusions, then the descent threatens with falls and fractures. Any experienced climber will tell you that the descent is more dangerous than the ascent. And you won't be able to relax. But if a person is too tired when climbing, then he wants to finally let go of himself and easily slide down the hill. Then we will see rapid aging and death.

Depression will help us stop at this pass and find answers to questions without which we cannot go any further. The path must be adult and conscious. Then there is the opportunity to enjoy the descent with controlled risk. And this pleasure is very different from children's reckless joy.

If a person has lived without joy for a long time, fulfilling the expectations of others, climbing a mountain, then it is very difficult for him to force himself to work a little more to change the strategy. Therefore, most clients of psychologists and psychotherapists are middle-aged people. True, they do not come to work, but for a magical elixir, which will remove the pain and will not force you to work.

Those who survive the disappointment that there is no such elixir in the outside world and will have to look for it within themselves will overcome the crisis. Most will take "analgin" and continue to anesthetize depression.

DEPRESSION IS YOUR CHANCE

Some good news at the end. There are two states in which we have the opportunity to know about ourselves: love and depression. The first with a plus sign, the second with a minus sign. Both conditions have consequences. It is not known which has more good or bad.

Therefore, do not waste time running away from depression if it has overtaken you. Try to use it to recognize yourself and search for meaning.

And remember, escaping depression is the right way walk in circles. Better think about how to make this time not so terrible. Simple things will help you: taking care of the body, music, nature, communication with animals. it aids, but only.

Also, find yourself a good psychologist. He will sit on the shore of the swamp and wait while you look for the golden key. Believe me, this is the most important thing when someone is ready to understand what is happening and stay with you no matter what.

The problem of depression is incredibly relevant today. People are increasingly complaining about feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. It seems that a person is often in a state of prolonged emotional overload and stress. The modern rhythm of life leaves a negative imprint on a person, makes him constantly overstrain, act at the limit of his capabilities. Today, some people are forced to work twelve to fourteen hours a day, refusing weekends and holidays. Most people are not able to maintain such a schedule for a long time. Here the nerves can not stand it: we break down on loved ones, do numerous stupid things. The accumulation of fatigue does not really benefit anyone. People turn to all sorts of healers, psychotherapists, hoping to return peace of mind. Few people know that it is necessary to learn to take responsibility for their lives. Blaming others for your depression is stupid and pointless. Depression is always the result of a wrong attitude towards life. Depression is not a nuisance that can happen to anyone, but a completely natural phenomenon. If a person begins to waste his internal resources in vain, he will invariably drive himself into a state of deep.

Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression are quite characteristic and indicative. It is impossible to pass by them without recognizing the symptoms of obvious trouble. It is also impossible not to notice how rapidly your own state of mind is changing. A person is so arranged that he always strives, first of all, for his own comfort. It should be understood that depression never falls on our heads unexpectedly and suddenly. She has her predecessors. If a anxiety symptoms depression appeared, you need to start working with them immediately, and not let your own state take its course, mistakenly believing that everything will go away by itself. Depression is a kind of illness, and it needs to be treated on time. So what are its main symptoms? Let's try to figure it out!

Feeling sorry for yourself

Depression causes a person to constantly be in a feeling of all-consuming pity for his own person. Depression is a clear symptom of depression. Such a person is almost impossible to cheer up with anything, she sees the surrounding reality only in gray and black tones. A person in general at some point stops making plans and striving for great achievements. He is satisfied with what is, he often hopes for the help of loved ones, without making his own efforts. A person begins to feel that his life is wasted. He himself seems unhappy and useless. Depression is like cancerous tumor: it grows inside gradually, but surely captures the psyche. Once the disease has progressed rapidly, it becomes very difficult to fight it.

Emotional detachment

Another symptom of depression is emotional detachment. It is rather unpleasant to observe its manifestations from the outside. It seems that a person does not live, but exists in his own invented world. Entry into this reality is forbidden to outsiders. That is why it is not always possible to help with treatment on time. The person seems to be watching those around him through a thick glass and does not hear the words addressed to him. A person who is depressed often shows coldness and indifference to others. He is haunted by a sense of isolation from the outside world: it seems that no one will understand and he is the only one so unhappy in the entire universe. From the outside it may seem that nothing special is happening to them, but in fact, the individual needs treatment. Emotional detachment allows a person to once again not participate in conflict situations, so it can be called defensive reaction. It is she who makes me feel constant fatigue. A person who is in a state of depression is haunted by gloomy thoughts. He feels in himself powerlessness and an immense emptiness that cannot be filled with anything. Even after a short activity, he falls on the bed completely unconscious and plunges into a sound sleep. Unwillingness to learn new things leads to a lack of interest. A person, as a rule, withdraws into himself, does not want to show his true feelings, thoughts and desires to others.

Change in appetite

A depressed person is often inattentive to their own physiological needs. One of bright symptoms depressive disorders are eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. The change in appetite is due to the fact that the person does not place emphasis on his physical needs. Decreased appetite is a clear symptom of developing depression. A person becomes not up to food and some significant joys. He is completely absorbed in disturbing soul experiences. A change in appetite is a symptom that you definitely need to pay attention to. In other cases, there may be increased appetite. A person literally “seizes” his problems and rapidly gains weight. Bulimia leads to digestive problems, psychological discomfort, severe obesity. This is not possible without proper treatment. It is very difficult, almost impossible, to cope with such conditions on your own.

limiting thoughts

Depression as a kind of mental disorder makes a person consider himself the most miserable and unhappy in the world. Limiting thoughts literally fetter the mind, prevent development, set far-reaching goals for yourself. Being depressed, it is impossible to see significant prospects, to look into the future with confidence and hope. Depression is often hidden under the mask of despair and all-consuming hopelessness. Negative attitudes do not leave a person for a long time. It constantly seems to him that he is not capable of anything, that he does not have the right to all the benefits that other people use every day. The appearance of bright negative attitudes is a symptom severe depression. We often fail to notice how bad thoughts limit consciousness, prevent us from developing. Properly selected treatment will undoubtedly help eliminate the causes of depression, tell you how to get rid of feelings of hopelessness.

Causes of depression

As a rule, nothing happens in a vacuum. For the formation of depression, there are good reasons. As a rule, these reasons are associated with the individual characteristics of the person himself, with his ability to interact with others. The more emotionally strong a person is, the easier it becomes for her to cope with depression. What are the causes of depression? What should you pay attention to?

Life trials

Each person has their own difficulties, this cannot be argued with. But, only passing through such difficulties, we become stronger, acquire real life wisdom. What can be a clear cause of depression? The situation of dismissal from work, failure in business, a quarrel with a loved one. The loss of a job, as well as other troubles, unsettles the usual rut, makes a person feel like a “beaten dog”. Symptoms of depression do not become noticeable immediately, but firmly capture the consciousness of a person. Everyone, of course, has their own reason for frustration. It is known that different people experience the blows of fate differently. But what longer man obsessed with the problem, the more symptoms begin to appear. That is why one should not be in a state of depression for a long time, one must immediately begin treatment.

Lack of self-esteem

If most people weren't so afraid of failure, they could reach their full potential. Another reason for the formation of depression is the lack of confidence in own forces. This is a special type of disorder, which is characterized by such symptoms as disbelief in one's future, inability to make bright plans and follow one's individual attitudes in life. Depression literally "eats" such a person entirely, leaving him no right to exercise his own choice. Self-doubt is a symptom that requires close attention. The reason for this is often the overestimated expectations of parents for a child, when a person is not valued in itself, but only for some significant merit. Growing up, a person begins to treat himself in this way: he does not value and does not respect his own resources, for minor reasons he allows self-criticism, he sets himself obviously impossible tasks.

Grief experience

Perhaps this is the only case over which only time has power. The experience of grief is a serious reason why even an emotionally stable person can develop deep depression. When we lose loved ones or some kind of event occurs that is beyond our control, it is not surprising that our hands give up. The work of grief is a natural mechanism and should not be interfered with. However, if a person does not forbid himself to openly express his feelings, then he will not be in severe depression for months at a time. Fortunately, we have coping mechanisms that allow us to protect the psyche from excessive emotional stress. But for some time, due to such severe suffering, a person may well develop depression. Its symptoms are very characteristic and cannot be confused with any other disorder.

Types of depression

Depression as a type of emotional disorder is divided into several separate groups. These types of depression reflect different life situations and the circumstances that led to the occurrence of severe stress. Types of depression largely explain the reasons for the formation of pathological self-doubt, unwillingness to act.

neurotic disorder

It implies that a person has fears and complexes, with which it becomes difficult for him to cope on his own. Over time, the situation worsens: there are additional anxieties and doubts about their future, lifestyle in general. The character of the person changes: she becomes suspicious, distrustful, demanding of others. A neurotic disorder as a type of depression can manifest itself as a result of some traumatic events or become a personality trait. When a person concentrates too much on his inner experiences, fears begin to overwhelm him with an irresistible wave. Seems like nothing can help overcome given state. For productive treatment, it is necessary to approach each individual case individually. You can not act recklessly and thoughtlessly. Considering the nature of fear, analyzing past events, there is a chance to let go severe stress to get rid of oppressive feelings.

Reactive depression

Reactive depression appears under the influence of a person's experience of sad events. These include the loss of a loved one through death or divorce. Moreover, in terms of severity, divorce has no less Negative influence on the psyche than death. In this case, a person is haunted by a guilt complex, not passing despair, thoughts about his own insignificance. Few people are able to survive the destruction without noticing it. family life. People tend to react to loss with tears and sadness. Depression associated with experiencing such traumatic events usually resolves on its own. This is the case when time heals. And yet, you can help yourself by visiting a specialist in the field of psychology. Proper psychotherapy will help restore peace of mind, make you invulnerable, open to new acquaintances and communication. In this case, it is extremely necessary to work on increasing self-esteem, since it is she who suffers in the first place. This kind of emotional disorder needs the attention of the individual. You need to be responsible, realizing that heartache will not last forever.

postpartum depression

seasonal depression

This species is familiar to each of us firsthand. Those people who think about how to get rid of this kind of disorder often do not fully understand its nature. Seasonal depression most often makes itself felt in autumn and winter. The fact is that in cold weather, a person becomes aggravated chronic diseases changing the very perception of life. The body often lacks essential substances to keep active. That is why the mood deteriorates, enthusiasm and the desire to act actively disappear. A person begins to experience anxiety, he is haunted by thoughts of his own unfulfillment and worthlessness. Usually this attitude does not last for a long time, but disappears with the advent of spring. However, waiting a few months is extremely unreasonable. During this difficult period, you can significantly bring yourself to endless arguments about the frailty of being. It is necessary to act: visit a psychologist, take a course of necessary consultations. Such steps turn out to be most welcome, helping to strengthen faith in yourself and your own capabilities.

Treatment for depression

Many people who are in a mental disorder try to overcome it on their own. How to get rid of depression if it captures you more and more day by day? The condition necessarily requires correction, because otherwise the person will have to face undesirable consequences: loss of self-confidence, various phobias. Treatment should be aimed at building self-confidence, looking for additional perspectives.

Favourite buisness

The presence of hobbies and hobbies makes our life interesting and eventful. The main thing is that a person likes what he does. Favorite business brings an inexhaustible source of inspiration that will support you for a long time. Favorite business allows you to learn to be yourself, show yourself from the best side and show the strong components of your nature. What it will be - decide for yourself. There are a lot of options: drawing, writing texts, creating an art studio, composing musical works. Even just reading books can bring unheard of benefits. Having a hobby, you begin to win in front of a dull layman who is not interested in anything in life except tasty food and daily TV series. Be bolder, do not be afraid to show your best side, do not refuse to act decisively. You will see, soon there will be no trace of emotional disorder.

Man is a social being and cannot live apart from the collective. We all need communication in order to express ourselves, to exchange impressions. If you are thinking about how to get rid of depression, then check yourself: do you spend a lot of time communicating with people around you? In the conditions of modern reality, many people, for some unknown reason, forget about themselves. By being too alone in our own thoughts, we run the risk of constantly exposing ourselves to stress. Treatment should begin with the realization that one cannot shut oneself off from the world. Competent psychotherapy necessarily includes the restoration of social skills, the acquisition of self-confidence.

Healthy lifestyle

Treatment for depression is not possible without healthy lifestyle life. Organization proper nutrition, useful leisure, daily walks and physical activity are a necessary component on the way to positive changes. You can’t close yourself within four walls and sit at home without getting out - this will inevitably lead to emotional upset. Try to move more, learn something new, do not lose friendly contacts. It is much easier to prevent the development of psychological problems than to try to treat them later. The longer a person winds himself up negative thoughts, the more it harms your state of mind.

In this way, emotional health is completely in our hands. You need to take responsibility for what is happening. The victory over depression begins with a conscious desire to become free from fears and doubts.

The word "depression" has long become not only a clinical term, but also a common everyday concept that many people use to describe their emotional state.

What does this concept really mean?

Depression is a mental disorder that is a violation emotional sphere person.

“Depression (from lat. deprimo - “pressure”, “suppress”) is a mental disorder characterized by a “depressive triad”: a decrease in mood and a loss of the ability to experience joy (anhedonia), impaired thinking (negative judgments, a pessimistic view of what is happening, etc. d.), motor retardation” (Wikipedia).

In psychiatry, depression is considered depending on the level of depression of mood and the severity of concomitant symptoms.

Mild depression is a state of low mood, it is also called subdepression.

The main feature of this state is that experiences are subjective and do not change the usual way human life. Those. a person experiences a feeling of dissatisfaction, low mood, but copes with all life circumstances. Most often, this condition is caused by a specific situation that upsets him, or the accumulation of fatigue and depletion of resources. In this case, rest, support from loved ones and psychological counseling may be sufficient.

This is the state that we call the everyday word "depression".

Moderate depression, a slightly more pronounced emotional decline, to which a feeling of anxiety and various bodily symptoms can be added - a decrease in appetite, a decrease in the usual activity of social contacts, episodic difficulties with sleep. Feelings of guilt towards oneself or loved ones are possible. However, a person, making efforts, does not fall out of the general context and rhythm of his life.

In this case, the help of a psychotherapist is needed, since the situation that causes this state may be deeper and the person does not have enough resources to experience it.

Severe depression is what is a disease and one cannot do without the help of a psychiatrist. A person in a state clinical depression unable to cope with the normal circumstances of his life. Everything for him lost color, taste and interest. On the face of obvious difficulties with sleep (or excessive sleepiness), activity is reduced to such an extent that the usual things are a problem - get out of bed, take a shower, eat. Self-flagellation, inferiority, or suicidal thoughts may be present. Leaving such a person without medical supervision is not safe, because he can harm himself.

Here, medical assistance and the supportive assistance of a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist are mandatory.