Table of contents:
- What is the face of depression
- Depression has many manifestations
- Why is it important
- How to help someone with depression
2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
If a person behaves as usual, this does not mean that he does not need help.
What is the face of depression
In 2017, Talinda Bennington, the widow of Linkin Park leader Chester Bennington, posted a video on Twitter that was taken 36 hours before her husband committed suicide. In the video, the musician plays with his son and laughs.
Some talked about their loved ones who committed suicide, and the people in the photographs did not at all fit into the classic image of a patient with depression.
We can say that the flash mob continues to this day, the entries are posted under the hashtags #FaceOfDepression, #face depression, #depressioninfo.
Depression has many manifestations
And this is far from only sadness, tears and suicidal thoughts. If we rely on the formal diagnostic criteria listed in the ICD-10, in order to diagnose a depressive episode or recurrent depression (it is also major, or clinical), the doctor must identify at least two main symptoms and at least three additional symptoms in a person.
The main symptoms of depression look like this:
- a person has been in a depressed mood for more than two weeks, and it does not always depend on external circumstances;
- experiences anhedonia - almost nothing brings him pleasure, his favorite activities cease to please and no longer arouse interest;
- gets tired quickly, constantly feels tired, experiences a breakdown.
But what are the additional symptoms:
- a person sees the world in gloomy colors, looks at his life and prospects with pessimism;
- feels guilt, anxiety and / or fear, feels useless;
- his self-esteem decreases;
- it becomes difficult to concentrate and make decisions;
- thoughts of death and (or) suicide appear;
- appetite changes, a person refuses to eat or (less often) overeats and, as a result, loses or gains weight;
- sleep disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping).
That is, a patient with depression is not always an emaciated, pale and crying person who does not communicate with anyone.
He can be anything, for example, well-fed or hyperactive. He can laugh, work hard, sleep well, travel, start new projects, play with children. Especially if at the moment is in the "light interval" between two depressive episodes. Or if he is good at hiding his feelings.
In addition, in addition to recurrent depression and isolated depressive episodes, there is also dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder. This condition lasts longer - from two years - but its symptoms are milder. And don't forget about cyclothymia and bipolar disorder, in which depression or depressed mood alternates with periods of elevation or even mania.
Depression also manifests itself differently in women and men. For example, the former are more likely to experience anxiety, while the latter are more depressed.
Why is it important
People do not understand that there is no accurate portrait of depression, and they underestimate the severity of their condition. Or they devalue other people's difficulties.
A person whose depression manifests itself more or less mildly or does without "classic" symptoms such as severe depression, apathy, weight loss, can say to himself: “This is all nonsense, I'm just a little depressed, I'll go scatter and change the environment, they write on the Internet, which should help. " Those who are sad "not enough" are advised not to cheat themselves, calm down, eat a chocolate bar or get down to business. After all, depression is treated in psychiatric hospitals, and you have so, a trifling little mechlundia.
As a result, people do not go to the doctor and do not get help on time. And this can end very badly: depression is one of the conditions that increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
How to help someone with depression
Several ideas from doctors and psychologists.
1. Listen
Let him talk, don't interrupt. Be attentive and ask questions. Don't underestimate or discount his feelings. Recognize that it is hard for him and he has the right to feel what he is feeling.
2. Offer to seek professional help
Explain that there is nothing wrong or embarrassing about this. Help find a good specialist if it is difficult for a person to do it himself.
3. Expand your knowledge
Read articles about depression in reliable sources, study the experiences of people who are struggling with this condition. This will help you learn more about the problem and abandon dangerous stereotypes.
4. Help with everyday tasks
Work, everyday life and other matters are very difficult for a depressed person. And he will be grateful if you go to the store for him, give him a lift to the right place, help with cleaning.
5. Be near
Let the person know that at any time they can turn to you to talk or ask for help.
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