Depression and bad mood - what's the difference? I took it and was depressed: how to distinguish depression from a bad mood

Attention website readers! This article is for informational and educational purposes only. If you and your relatives, relatives and friends have similar problems, then contact a psychiatrist at the psychoneurological dispensary at the place of registration, emergency room psychiatric hospital, or to the registry of the Institute of Psychiatry. We do not diagnose or treat psychiatric diseases! We provide individual psychological counseling services.

Bad mood or depression - what's the difference? How do you know if you or someone close to you has depression? Why a person with a bad mood will help a conversation with a psychologist, but a person in a state of depression needs to drug treatment. By what criteria can you determine that you or your loved ones are not just in a bad mood, but depressed and you need to seek help from a psychotherapist. In this article, we will tell you about the difference between a normal bad mood and depression.

Help a person in a bad mood

A person in a bad mood needs psychological support, sympathy and encouragement. It really helps him. Effective and traditional ways struggle with a bad mood - calls to relax, "unwind", go in for sports, look at life more fun, and just "pull yourself together."

It will also help to work with a psychologist. A bad mood depends on chains of negative illogical thought patterns, which in turn depend on the person's beliefs. This is easily corrected with the help of a course of cognitive psychotherapy (for example, "emotion management"). All these methods will be completely useless in case of depression.

What is depression

Depression is not a very common disorder. Often in everyday life, people simply call depression long periods bad mood(as is often called a "cold" viral diseases or "angina" - any pain in the throat). However, real depression is a very serious condition. A depressed person needs medical attention.

In general, the state of depression consists of three components ( emotional disturbances, asthenic syndrome, autonomic disorders) and is described by the so-called Beck triad (depressive triad).

The depressive triad connects the processes of inhibition in ideation(related to the speed of speech and thought processes), emotional And motor spheres. Simply put - in thinking, mood and ability to motor activity.

A person in a state of depression has a markedly reduced speed of speech and thinking. He demonstrates a clear motor retardation: reduced mobility eyeballs(which is expressed in fixing the gaze in front of him), he constantly sits or lies down (this may look like laziness, but it is really difficult for him to walk). All this is present against the backdrop of despondency and depressed mood.

The combination of these symptoms is a clear sign depression and an indication for immediate seeking the help of a psychotherapist.

Any form of depression has three components:

mood disorder;
Vegetative disorders;
Fatigue (asthenia);

The last two points constitute asthenovegetative syndrome (asthenic + vegetative).

The first component of depression is a mood disorder.

The first component of depression has to do with mood changes—sad, depressed mood lasts more than two weeks.

Depression is characterized by a dull perception of the world, everything around seems gray and uninteresting.

Present mood swings during the day- In the morning, the mood can be relatively good, but worsen in the evening. Or vice versa - the mood is bad in the morning and somewhat dispels in the evening. Some people have no daily mood swings - the mood is constantly sad, sad, depressed and tearful. Tearfulness looks like a person crying for hours every day. Moreover, the intensity and duration of crying can be such that some patients may even begin inflammatory process in the tear ducts.

Depressed mood has different shades. Sometimes it is a depressed mood with a feeling of melancholy, anxiety, despair, indifference or irritability.

Sometimes a person is not aware of his sad mood, but feels the so-called bodily manifestations of depression. Depression may feel intense heat in the chest area, "a heavy pressing stone on the heart." Less commonly, depression manifests itself as chronic feeling pain in any part of the body. At the same time, specialized doctors do not find organic causes for pain. This is the so-called larvated form, that is, hidden - without crying and without daily mood swings. The larval form occurs in alexithymic people, i.e., those who do not know how to recognize emotions and moods in themselves and therefore are prone to psychosomatic diseases(e.g. hypertension, peptic ulcer stomach, etc.)

It is important that, first of all, specialists exclude a bodily ailment as the cause of pain. If, with a thorough examination, doctors fail to detect any problem, and the pain continues, then you should look for the cause in the psyche.

Mood disorder may be tinged with anxiety

Very often, in a situation of prolonged stress, a person reacts with depression with a hint of anxiety (anxious depression or anxiety disorder). depressive disorder).

People experience anxiety in different ways. It can manifest itself in the fear of falling asleep, nightmares. A common manifestation of anxiety is fear for your loved ones and the imagination that something terrible is happening to them. Sometimes a person describes anxiety as sudden bouts of nervousness and an inability to sit still. The feeling of anxiety makes it impossible to relax. For example, a person cannot sit still in a chair for more than two or three minutes - fidgets in a chair, then jumps up and begins to walk aimlessly around the room. This state is subsequently replaced by lethargy and lack of desire to move. Other signs of anxiety: dry mouth, "wadded feet", sweating in the palms.

Very strong anxiety (57 points or more) occurs against the background of extensive depression, and manifests itself in the form of panic attacks (panic attack). A panic attack is expressed by increased heart rate, trembling in the body, fear of death, a feeling of heat, feeling short of breath. This is important: if a feeling of lack of air occurs both on inhalation and exhalation, this indicates problems that should be addressed to a pulmonologist.

If a person has severe anxiety, this indicates that he has formed a huge "underwater part" of the anxiety depression iceberg. Panic attacks are often just the tip of the iceberg.

Apathetic depression is a mood disorder with a touch of indifference

With anxious depression, a person periodically cannot sit still, while with other forms of depression, on the contrary, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to move (motor retardation).

If a person sleeps 12-14 hours a day, he does not have a feeling of cheerfulness in the morning, and everyday activities (cook food, tidy up the apartment) seem overwhelming or meaningless to him - this may be a manifestation of apathetic depression. Along with anxious depression This is a fairly common form of depressive disorder.

Inhibition processes in depression (ideational, emotional and motor retardation) affect the entire body. Ideation inhibition: it becomes more difficult for a person to think, his memory and attention deteriorate significantly, which is noticeable affects the performance(sometimes this can lead to job loss). Arise difficulty concentrating- a person gets tired from watching TV for a short time or from reading a few pages of an interesting and easy-to-read book. This phenomenon is also common: a person can sit in front of a computer for hours, but is not able to concentrate on work, and this can go on for months!

The second component of depression is autonomic disorders.

The second component of depression includes autonomic disorders (manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia). In the event that the therapist and cardiologist have ruled out the relevant organic diseases, then frequent urination, false urges, headaches, dizziness, small fluctuations in blood pressure (for example, periodic 100 to 70 or 90 to 60 with the usual 115 to 80) and temperatures are interpreted as additional vegetative signs depression.

depression affects gastrointestinal tract: in humans loss of appetite, constipation is noted for 4-5 days. Much less frequently, atypical form depression, a person has increased appetite and significant weight gain for this reason.

Depression does not bypass reproductive system organism. As a result developing depression in men and women, sensations in the sexual sphere are usually dulled. Much less often, depression manifests itself in the form of compulsive masturbation or in the form of an escape into multiple promiscuous relationships (in this situation, a psychiatric consultation is needed, because such behavior can be a symptom of psychiatric illness in addition to depression). Men often have problems with potency. In women with depression, there may be a regular delay in menstruation for 10-14 days for six months or more.

The third component of depression is asthenic syndrome.

The third component of depression is asthenic. It includes fatigue, sensitivity to weather changes, irritability. Irritation cause loud sounds , bright light and sudden touches strangers(for example, if a person is accidentally hit on the subway or on the street). Sometimes, after a flash of internal irritation, tears appear (symptom irritable weakness).

Depression has various sleep disorders: difficulty falling asleep, superficial restless sleep with frequent awakenings, early awakenings with simultaneous desire and inability to sleep.

Pay for a course with an experienced psychologist

32 000 rub.(3,200 rubles per lesson)

Payment for classes is carried out directly from your personal account in the bank to the settlement account of Uniprofconsulting LLC according to the Invoice and Receipt-agreement issued to you by e-mail. Write a letter to the Administrator admin@site, in which you indicate your last name, first name, your contact phone number and e-mail. In the application, indicate for how many consultations you will issue an Invoice for payment and issue a Receipt-agreement on a strict accountability form. After receiving a scanned copy of the Invoice and the Receipt-agreement with the details of our bank account to your e-mail, pay for the consultation of a psychologist in your online bank according to the Invoice issued to you

You can sign up for a paid Skype consultation with Natalya Mikhailovna Rasskazova, the author of the article, not only at the Administrator admin@site, but also at, below, in the "schedule" section.

Free time for booking is highlighted in green.

Pay for classes with a psychologist on the payment page after the Invoice and Receipt-agreement is sent to your e-mail. If you do not receive an email from us within an hour or two, check your Spam folder and the Possible Spam folder and add our e-mails to your Trusted Correspondent Directory.

You can request specialist contacts and organizational assistance from theSolution by writing a letter to admin@site or by sending an application through any application form on the site.

Send a copy of the payment receipt or a screenshot of your online bank page to the Administrator at admin@website and receive a confirmation of successful payment for classes with a psychologist by return mail at least an hour before the Skype consultation.

Are you in a difficult life situation? Get a free and anonymous consultation with a psychologist on our website or ask your question in the comments.

In our next educational article, read about psychiatrists.

Depressive state is a mental disorder characterized by the loss of the ability to feel joy, a decrease in mood, and suffering. IN last years there is a catastrophic number of people in the world who experience the symptoms of this disease. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that the patient does not realize that he has fallen into the network of depression, therefore he cannot overcome the depressive state on his own. Determine the type and characteristics of the disease allows special technique differential diagnosis which is successfully used in modern medicine.

Causes of Depressive Disorder

The exact causes of depression are still unknown. Often they appear under the influence of several factors at once. The risk group for depression (ICD code 10) includes people with low self-esteem, pessimists and adolescents. In psychiatry, there are a number of reasons why a person develops anxiety-depressive personality disorder:

taking drugs, psychostimulants;
taking antidepressants;
alcohol abuse;
childbirth, pregnancy;
avitaminosis;
neurological, oncological, endocrine pathologies;
uncontrolled or prolonged use of neuroleptics;
stress;
hereditary predisposition;
a small amount of consumed sunlight;
side effects of drugs;
lack of dopamine, serotonin in the blood;
experiences (parting or death of a loved one, loss of money, work, change in social status and other negative factors).

Why is depression dangerous?

If you yourself cannot get out of a depressive state, you must definitely contact a specialist, otherwise over time this can lead to a disastrous result. Consequences mental disorder:

Problems with loved ones. The person becomes withdrawn, alienated. With such it is difficult to be constantly around, especially if depression occurs in women.
Deterioration appearance . A patient who cannot overcome the symptoms of a depressive state becomes indifferent, ceases to take care of himself. Motivation disappears, hair loses its luster, splits, nails break, skin turns pale, peels off.
Decreased quality of life. A person loses energy, activity, a feeling of uselessness appears. At severe course disease increases the risk of suicide.
Cardiovascular diseases. If the help of a specialist does not arrive in time, then against the background constant experiences a person has physical pain in the heart, head, abdomen. If you do not remove the depressive state in time, you may experience chronic diseases heart, the likelihood of seizures and even death is high.
Diabetes. Increased risk of obesity by 58%
Tobacco, drug, alcohol addiction . When it is not possible to get rid of a depressive state for a long time, people try to free themselves by taking psychotropic substances. However, their side effect only exacerbates the problem, reducing the functional features of the brain.

Classification of the disease - types

There are two types of depressive states: exogenous, when the disorder is provoked by an external stimulus (stressful situation) and endogenous, when depression is caused inner experiences often inexplicable to the patient himself. More recently, in medicine, it was believed that the first type of special danger does not pose a particular danger to humans, that this condition is passing.

The endogenous species was considered a complex disease leading to serious neurotic pathologies. Now doctors are sure that it is the external irritant that becomes the provocateur of a severe disorder, and endogenous depression is characterized as depressive episode in mild form.

Symptoms and signs

Rarely, when a person can bring himself out of a depressive state. Basically, the disease only develops without the intervention of a specialist. Symptoms of depression tend to be the same in men and women. Conventionally, they are divided into 4 groups: mental, behavioral, physiological, emotional.

People feel a sense of longing, low self-esteem, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, refusal to be active, a negative outlook on the future. When a profound degree of depression develops, especially in the elderly, in adolescents, or in women during pregnancy, one can observe characteristics disorders:

lethargy;
loss of libido;
autonomic dysfunction;
deterioration in self-care skills;
the idea of guilt;
somatic trouble;
suicidal tendencies;
hallucinatory syndrome;
difficulty in communication;
obsessive fears.

Diagnostics

The most important factor in the treatment of depression is its diagnosis. It is very difficult to get out of depression on your own, and a person, entangled in a depressive psychosis, does not know what to do. During the interview, the specialist must take into account many factors in order to prescribe adequate treatment. Determining mechanisms psychological diagnostics is to identify the features and causes of the course of the disease.

After determining the cause, the doctor directs the patient to biochemical diagnostics, which is based on the detection of the level of norepinephrine and serotonin. This will allow you to determine which mediator is not enough to choose the right series of antidepressants. To diagnose depression, there are special questionnaires that are considered psychodiagnostic scientific tools. The most popular ways:

Beck scale.
The method of differential diagnosis according to the Tsung scale.
Self-rating scale of depression.
Depression Questionnaire (ODS).
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Treatment

According to the results of tests and biochemical diagnostics, the doctor prescribes individual psychotherapy and / or medication. Doctors are sure that latent depressive syndrome ( hidden depression) of any stage is curable. The most effective therapy is achieved by combining drugs, psychotherapy, therapeutic gymnastics and physiotherapy. Mild depression is treated at home. If the patient is predisposed to acute form mental disorder, he can be placed in a hospital.

The lack of a person's ability to cope with depression on their own suggests help in the form of antidepressants. Their essence is to force the human body to produce nerve impulses, which are responsible for activity, behavior, mood. What drugs do you need to take for this:

Tricyclic structure (Imipramine, Amitriptyline). Block the reuptake of neurotransmitters. Very strong impact and side effects. Assign only on an outpatient basis with the most severe form of depression.
The second generation with tricyclic action (Pyrazidol, Befol), which already affects other receptors. Fewer side effects, have a calming effect, but do not cope with severe forms of depression.
Third generation antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Citalopram). They affect the metabolism of serotonin. correct phobias, panic attacks. Convenient single use.
Fourth generation antidepressants (Milnacipran, Duloxetine). Selectively affect serotonin and norepinephrine, without affecting other mediators.

What doctor treats?

Psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, neurologists help to fight depression. The first ones work with the client's thoughts, his emotional experiences. Using available tools, they ask questions about how a person feels and provide moral support. Psychotherapists also rely on the power of the word, but they work with the expansion of consciousness, teach how to overcome depression, change attitudes towards oneself, help find strength in overcoming everyday difficulties, in rehabilitation after depression. These specialists, unlike psychologists, are qualified to treat depression with antidepressants or tranquilizers.

The psychiatrist helps to get rid of the average and most severe forms depressive disorder. Specializes in mentally ill people. He will not hold intimate conversations and will not require the patient to describe his condition. The work of a psychiatrist is a tough position in relation to the patient, who is treated mainly on an outpatient basis with the permission of the patient himself or his relatives. Neurologists deal with depressive cases that lead to neurological diseases- Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and others.

Methods of correction in children and adolescents

Depressive symptoms in children are a constant lethargy, rebellious behavior, complex character, insomnia, tired general state. The most problematic disorders occur at the age of 14-19 years. During this period, suicidal tendencies are observed, adolescents are often in a narcotic state or after alcohol. Depression doesn't go away on its own.

Parents have to turn to professionals for help. IN medical practice correction of depressive disorder in adolescents is carried out consultatively or with medication. From medicines prescribe sedative pills(Novo-passit, Persen). If the condition worsens, then the same therapy is carried out as for adults.

How to get out of depression on your own

In psychology, there are several tips for self-relieving stress. The first and main step is proper nutrition. It is necessary to introduce foods that improve mood into the diet: chocolate, fatty varieties fish, vegetables and fruits of bright colors, sea kale, bananas, nuts, cheese. Second step self exit from depression - good sleep. Having 7-8 hours of sleep will strengthen the nervous system.

Exit from a depressive disorder contribute to physical activity. Even if a woman is on maternity leave recent weeks gestation, she can still be given 15-20 minutes daily for stretching or yoga. Stressed people who do not know how to think positively. It is advisable to find literature that will help you understand how to learn not to react negatively to stimuli and pay attention only to the beauty of life, to look for interests in the world around you.

Prevention

Depression is not a human weakness, but a disease that requires the intervention of a specialist. In order not to bring yourself to a visit to a psychiatrist, at the first symptoms of a depressive state, you must follow simple rules:

Light. Depression and apathy occur mainly in the off-season, when there is little light on the street. For this reason, you need to have a lot of lighting fixtures in the house. Try to walk more during the day fresh air, and trying to take a depressed family member for a walk will add to his health.
Movement. motor functions release endorphins into the blood. Spend a few minutes a day in gymnastics, and the symptoms of a depressive state will not have an effect on you.
cheerfulness. No one will diagnose you: if you are always in good shape. Stimulation of the body with natural means will help in this: rosehip broth, herbal balms, teas, ginger.
beauty. Pay attention to everything beautiful, buy only bright things, keep order in the house and in the workplace. Take care of your body. Try to fill every moment of your life with beautiful images.
Future plans. Try to plan your future correctly, set priorities. Find hobbies, new friends with interests. May your wishes be fulfilled!

In recent years, the word "depression" has become fashionable. As soon as a person gets upset because of trouble, he immediately says: "I'm depressed." But if this is so, then it is time for him to run to the doctor for pills, since depression is a serious illness.

By different estimates experts, 10 to 20 percent of people are prone to depression, and downward mood swings are generally characteristic of 1/3 of the population the globe. But the statistics in this case are inaccurate, because people with such problems rarely turn to specialists. And how to determine - it's time or not time? Who will help - a psychologist or a doctor already? How to distinguish just a bad mood from an illness?

The main signs of depression low mood, motor retardation and mental retardation are considered (thoughts flow more slowly than usual). This is the triad of depression. However, in fact, there are many varieties of depression, and each type has its own symptoms. For example, anxious depression characterized by motor excitement, when a person does not find a place for himself, he is restless and anxious. In combination with apathy, the disease can be characterized by indifference to everything. There are depressions with irritability, obsessive thoughts and fears, hypochondria, etc. The main signs of most types of depression, except for the triad, are:

depressed mood, melancholy, despair;

anxiety, fear;

irritability;

diffidence;

decreased interest in the outside world and the ability to have fun;

sleep disturbance;

change in appetite;

increased fatigue, weakness;

passivity;

avoiding contact with people;

refusal of entertainment;

use of alcohol or drugs with the aim of "forgetting";

difficulty concentrating;

negative thoughts about yourself, about your life, about the future, about the world as a whole (in severe cases, thoughts of suicide).

The presence of several of these signs for two or more weeks continuously is a reason to seek help from a psychiatrist.

The diagnosis of depression is complicated because it often has symptoms of other diseases, more often somatic (that is, physical). Therefore, a person can go to doctors for a long time and not understand that, in fact, he is sick not in body, but in soul.

Why does depression occur? Man lives in a world where he constantly faces a lot of stress. Troubles at work, in the family, accidents, difficult situations... But human nature is such that our body and brain are able to withstand a lot. Moderate stress is necessary for life: according to Hans Selye (creator of the famous doctrine of stress), zero stress equals death. That is, it means that no events at all occur in a person’s life - neither good nor bad. Stress can be positive (caused by positive life events) and negative. By maintaining a certain level of stress, the body turns on adaptation mechanisms. But what happens when stress levels go off the charts? Each person has different adaptive abilities. One can endure any life troubles, serious problems and even grief, survive it and become stronger as a person. And the other will not stand it, will “break” under the weight of suffering or even everyday worries. And then depression can become a consequence.

Why do some people steadfastly endure troubles, while others "surrender to the mercy" of hopelessness and longing? Exist factors that increase the likelihood of depression: predisposition to depression (heredity, character traits), late age (after 60 years of depression are more common), severe somatic diseases(depression as a reaction to physical suffering, intoxication of the body, fear for one's health and life). All these factors lower the threshold of sensitivity to stress and increase the risk of an inadequate reaction to them in the form of depression.

The predisposition to depression, as I wrote above, is due to heredity and character traits. How much the presence of depressive conditions in family members can affect the likelihood of illness of one of the descendants is not an easy question. Of course, there is such an influence. But one should also take into account the fact that a person (especially a child) is strongly influenced by the situation in the family in which he grows up. If someone close is often in a bad mood, reacts sharply to troubles, yearns and is sad, then it is easy to assume that other family members can perceive such a state as normal. Children copy adults. This is for them the only way learn how to behave in adult life. So it turns out that a child, living in the midst of melancholy and despondency, takes it with him into the big world as the norm. Risk factors are also conflict relations in the family, the lack of warmth and trust in it.

Regardless hereditary predisposition, a person with certain character traits may be prone to low mood and, accordingly, have a risk of depression. These are personality traits such as:

a person's tendency to see everything in a negative light (themselves, their future, the world as a whole);

over-sensitivity to failure;

tendency to doubt;

unstable mood;

preoccupation with heavy forebodings;

lack of independence in making important decisions;

fear of conflicts;

fear of loneliness, etc.

But all of these risk factors will not necessarily lead to depression. A person may simply be prone to periodically low mood, or he may live normally, cope with stress and be happy.

And it may also happen that a person from healthy family, cheerful and cheerful in life, will face really severe stress (the consequences of a natural disaster, catastrophe, several deaths of loved ones, as a result of which a person is left alone, etc.). And depression in this case can be a reaction to severe stress.

So how do you tell a normal bad mood from real depression? It is easiest to distinguish from depressed mood moderate to severe depression. Such depression is characterized by vivid mood disorders: a person complains of feeling oppressive longing, severe anxiety (the very word "depression" in Latin means "pressure"), emptiness. He sees everything in black, exaggerates the negative. He accuses himself of "all mortal sins", talks about his guilt for everything around him and even thinks about suicide. However, he does not cry, his eyes are dry. These people, as a rule, do not experience mood swings during the day, it is monotonously lowered all the time. For such conditions, it is common serious violations sleep (insomnia, superficial sleep, frequent awakenings), lack of appetite, problems with the digestive system. If you knew the patient before, before the disease, you will be surprised to see a completely different person in front of you.

The most difficult option to recognize is mild degree depression. In this case, her line with a bad mood is very thin. A person feels sadness and a seal, nothing pleases him. At the same time, working capacity is preserved, although noticeably reduced. There are daily (in the evening a person feels better than in the morning) and seasonal (exacerbations in autumn, spring) fluctuations in the state.

In a bad mood, such fluctuations, as a rule, are not observed, or there may be an opposite picture: a person feels better in the morning, and worse in the evening. And in general, the state of bad mood is not persistent. There is reason to worry when such states of low mood, sadness and melancholy last continuously for more than two weeks. When in a bad mood, a person usually thinks that the reason is outside (weather, conflict at work, unpleasant circumstances), in contrast to the tendency to self-blame and self-abasement in a depressed state. A bad mood is a reason to cry about your unfortunate fate. Depressed patients no longer cry, they simply do not have the strength to do so. A person in a bad mood falls asleep hard, he is overcome anxious thoughts, but there is no insomnia, as well as restless superficial sleep.

It is worth remembering that everything is individual and one degree of depression can turn into another, just as a prolonged bad mood can go over that fine line with mild depression, and vice versa.

So, if you have found signs of moderate or severe depression, you need the help of a doctor who, if the diagnosis is confirmed, will prescribe you medication. Without treatment, depression can linger for months or even years. Self-medication is dangerous!

Psychotherapy It is recommended both in the case of more severe forms of depression, and in the case of a simple bad mood or mild depression. The goal is to help the person. This will help you overcome difficult period in the present and more successfully deal with stressful situations in future. In addition, the ability to enjoy every day, healthy lifestyle life, morning exercises, correct mode work and rest - that's what will help you fight stress and maintain peace of mind!

Is it normal for a person to be sad, and can it be called? What is the main difference between low mood and depression? What symptoms should I look out for and see a doctor?

Hello sadness!

It is not uncommon for people who are in a bad mood to mistakenly believe that they are depressed. autumn blues we often mistake it for depression when it is not.

Sadness, manifested by a bad mood, a feeling of depression and slight irritation, is normal state person. There is nothing wrong when sadness lasts for several days. An adequate person cannot be constantly in a positive mood. Bad weather, problems with loved ones, failures at work and in relationships naturally affect our mood, and there is nothing to worry about. This normal reaction human psyche to what is happening.

Many psychotherapists speak negatively about the methods of the so-called "positive psychotherapy", when a person is taught to always be in high spirits. This is fundamentally wrong, because in this way we force a person to put on a mask without solving the main problem. We have to mourn sometimes. It is important to distinguish sadness from depression. In the latter case, contact immediately

Melancholy - the locomotive of creativity

When you are sad or have a neurosis, you are still able to adequately respond to what is happening around you. Moreover, even in this state, a person can feel joy, for example, from such trifles as delicious aromatic coffee or a walk in the park with friends. On physiological level This means that the pleasure centers in nervous system a person is not yet clogged, and he, as before, is able to enjoy communication, delicious food, sex, reading books and other activities that bring a person a good mood.

Oddly enough, but it is sadness that makes a person create. If not for melancholy, then there would be no Byron and Shakespeare. Almost all creative people sad, and it is in this state that inspiration comes to them. The body asks to express the feelings that a person experiences. This is how poems, prose, paintings and music are born - a kind of imprint of the soul of the creator. When a person sublimates his sadness into something beautiful, it becomes much easier. Therefore, if you are sad, then it's time to touch the beautiful.

What to do if you are sad

Sadness is not a disease... It comes and goes without leaving a trace. What to do when you are sad?

Be sad if you are sad. In moments when melancholy envelops you, you do not need to commit violence against yourself, forcing yourself to laugh or shout out loud that everything is just great. Most likely, you will want to be alone, listen to music or think carefully about the current situation. You don’t need to deny yourself this “luxury”, since your body asks for it. In a hectic life, when we absolutely do not have enough time to just stop and listen to the birds singing, being alone with ourselves is a real pleasure. Disconnect from everything around you. Turn off your phones and other gadgets and relax.
Get nostalgic. It's time to get out the old family album. Review photos of people you care about. Remember their youth and your years. At such moments, you can shed a tear or smile. Let your emotions out, don't keep them inside. When viewing old photographs, your sadness may gradually lose ground, giving way to pleasant memories from your youth and childhood.
Pamper your body. You may want to take a bath. Light candles and add to water aromatic oil. You can turn on relaxing music and even sip some wine. True, with alcohol during periods of sadness you need to be careful. You can take it in small quantities only if you know for sure that you will not cross the line.
Change your image. Maybe it's time to change your hairstyle or dye your hair? Choose a new makeup for yourself and get a manicure. So you not only put yourself in order, but also get distracted from routine matters.
Do a wardrobe audit. Perhaps you are wearing too dark, inconspicuous things. Change them to brighter colors. Know that orange and red are uplifting; yellow - confidence; purple and blue colors- soothe. When you are sad, it is better not to wear black, gray and brown clothes. Hide her away at least, during the period when you are sad.
Emotions in creativity. When you're sad, your emotions are just begging to turn into something beautiful. This means that you need to transfer your experiences from the emotional sphere to the physical sphere. Write a poem, keep a diary, take up drawing, embroidery, modeling, calligraphy and any other kind of art. So you will express your feelings and find a balance between your inner world and the environment.

Remember that the state of sadness lasts for several days, a maximum of 2 weeks. If you have not recovered after this period of time, then perhaps the problem is more serious. It is important to distinguish between sadness and depression. In the latter case, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist. IN otherwise mental disorder will only worsen, affecting not only your mental but also your physical health.

Learning to recognize depression

It is noteworthy that the first manifestations of depression are not much different from sadness. The duration of your stay in a bad mood should alert you. If you have been unable to get out of this state for 1-2 weeks, then it's time to sound the alarm.

In addition to a bad mood, depression is characterized by vegetative disorders and asthenic disorder. In this state, a person is disturbed by apathy, blues, nervousness, sometimes a feeling of anxiety and fears. Peak anxiety states there may be panic attacks, which indicate that depression is turning into a state of serious mental disorder.

A depressed person loses interest in life. His movements are often inhibited, and he takes up any work (including his professional duties) with reluctance. Over time, depression progresses, and the patient begins to be disturbed by thoughts of existential problems. A person realizes the meaninglessness of life, he has.

Symptoms of Depression: When to Watch Out

Unlike sadness, depression is serious illness that needs to be treated, otherwise a person simply cannot cope with it on his own. The manifestations of depression are quite diverse and vary depending on the form of the disease.

Emotional manifestations of depression

Depressed mood, melancholy. The state of sadness, oppressed, depressed mood lasts more than two weeks. A person feels despair and does not understand what is the way out of this situation. Even little things can lead him into a state of extremely depressed mood.
Feeling of inner tension and expectation of trouble. In a state of depression, a person constantly feels internal stress. He fears a terrible misfortune that can happen to him or his loved ones.
Irritability. In a depressed mood, a person is too irritable. He reacts extremely negatively to the advice of people close to him, perceiving them as reproaches. The conversation can turn into a quarrel over the slightest trifle.
Guilt. When depressed, a person feels guilty. It can be guilt before loved ones, friends, a loved one, and even before oneself. In this state, a depressed person blames himself for his failure.
Decreased self-esteem. Another sign of depression is extreme dissatisfaction with yourself and a decrease in self-confidence.
Loss of the ability to enjoy. If in a state of sadness a person is still able to rejoice and enjoy, then in depression this is not the case. Activities and things that previously brought a person pleasure, now he is not happy.
Decreased interest in the environment. Depression leads to the fact that a person gradually loses interest in the world around him. He does not want to build relationships, pursue a career, not to mention taking care of himself. For a depressed person, this becomes nonsense.
Loss of the ability to experience feelings. In deeply advanced cases, depression leads to the fact that a person simply loses the ability to experience feelings. He is unable to empathize or feel joy.
Anxiety about the health of loved ones. Often depression is accompanied by strong anxiety about the health of their loved ones. The patient also has a fear of seeming insolvent in public places.

In addition to emotional symptoms, depression is accompanied by a number of mental manifestations:

Violation of concentration.

Difficulties in making decisions.
The predominance of gloomy thoughts about yourself, your life and the world around you.
A feeling of hopelessness, a pessimistic vision of the future and a sense of the meaninglessness of life.
Thoughts about their uselessness, insignificance and complete helplessness.
Thoughts of suicide.

Physiological manifestations of depression

Depression is manifested not only by mental, but also by somatic reactions, including:

Sleep disturbance. This is the main symptom of depression. The patient often has insomnia, sometimes - excessive drowsiness. Some people with depression have insomnia that alternates with attacks of drowsiness.
Appetite disorder. As a rule, in a state of depression, appetite deteriorates greatly to the point that a person refuses food. In other cases, on the contrary, unbridled appetite develops. A person eats his stresses, as a rule, with unhealthy food, seeing only in this a source of satisfaction.
Impaired function digestive tract . Most often, depression is accompanied by constipation.
Disorders in the genital area. The need for sex is significantly reduced. Libido deteriorates, erection is disturbed in men.
Fatigue. Even minor physical and mental stress leads to fatigue. The patient feels weakness, which does not allow him to do business.
Pain. Depression is accompanied not only mentally, but also physical pain. Pain and discomfort is felt in different areas body, for example, in the area of the heart, stomach, muscles and others.

Behavioral manifestations of depression

Often people who are depressed are not able to ask others for help on their own. Here, it is important for relatives to be attentive, since depression also changes the behavior of the patient. The following behavioral changes may indicate that a person has depression:

Passivity. A person is apathetic, passive, it is very difficult for him to get involved in any activity.
Contact avoidance. Due to depression, a person becomes prone to solitude, he gradually loses interest in other people.
Lack of entertainment. The person refuses to entertain. He simply does not see the point in them, and he does not want to spend time with his loved ones.
Alcohol. Unfortunately, in a state of depression often resort to alcohol. Alcohol does provide temporary relief, but the problem is only exacerbated by excessive drinking.

If you notice that your relative, friend or acquaintance has these symptoms, you should consult a psychotherapist. It should be borne in mind that the patient himself will not cope with depression. In addition to qualified assistance, he also needs a person who would look after him.

The problem of soul and body

It should be noted that depression is not only mental, but also physical problem. On hormonal level a person has a failure, which is quite difficult to restore without the use of special medicines.

Drugs are prescribed for severe, moderate and mild manifestations of the disease. Necessary condition For successful treatment- cooperation with the doctor, strict observance of his recommendations and prescriptions. You need to visit your therapist regularly and be frank with him about your feelings.

The main drugs that are prescribed to a patient with depression are antidepressants. In recent years, the number of antidepressants has increased significantly. The new generation drugs are distinguished by better tolerance, no side effects, low toxicity and high safety for health. In general, at correct application antidepressants are enough safe drugs. The dose and type of the drug is determined individually by the doctor. You need to understand that positive effect such drugs appear slowly, and it is important to be patient. Unlike drugs of the class of benzodiazepine tranquilizers, antidepressants do not cause addiction and the development of a withdrawal syndrome.

The second part of the treatment is psychotherapy, which helps patients develop emotional self-regulation skills and effectively cope with problems in the future. difficult situations without sinking into a depressive disorder. Here the involvement of the patient in the process is important, since the result will depend on the perseverance and desire of the patient. The specialist, of course, understands the condition of the patient, so step by step he prepares him so that the patient himself has a desire to cope with his problems. Psychiatrists themselves note that the fact of seeking help from a specialist is already a serious step towards solving the problem.

Arkady Galanin

There can hardly be anything worse than depression. Depressed mood, decline in vitality, hopeless pessimism, lack of desire to do anything and show at least some interest in existence ... This and much more accompanies this mental disorder. When a person is immersed in state of mind, he becomes helpless, indifferent and "empty". Some people manage to do it alone, while others don't. But in any case, you need to know how to overcome depression and depression.

First stage

When depression is just beginning, a person refuses to be aware of this fact. He believes that he simply does not have the mood, fatigue at work or study, weather changes affect. In the first stage, the initial symptoms are accompanied by pronounced apathy, increased fatigue and lack of desire to do anything. Often there is a lack of appetite, problems with falling asleep, as well as irritability and nervousness. Despite being tired, a person cannot fall asleep even if he takes sleeping pills.

In addition, there is a deterioration in concentration, a decrease in efficiency, the disappearance of interest in former hobbies and hobbies. A mountain of cases begins to pile up that were previously managed to be solved long before the deadline. It's getting harder and harder to finish what you started. And this is not just a depressed mood and lethargy. This is how it manifests initial stage depression, which subsequently develops more and more intensely.

Deterioration

If a person has ignored how the mood changes and, in general, his regimen, the restructuring of the body begins. the production of serotonin, which is commonly called the hormone of happiness, stops. He does not eat at all, or consumes some minimum to “fill up” his stomach. Immunity is reduced and chronic diseases escalate. The body fights "with itself", but it fails.

Prolonged insomnia sets in. A person ceases to think adequately and logically, he does not keep his behavior and emotions under control. It's like he's in another world where he doesn't care. For outsiders, it seems strange, and as if cut off from the real world. In particular severe cases his condition is accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations. It is at this stage, conditionally designated as the second, that more than 80% of attempts to commit suicide fall. In the best cases, such people simply "close" in themselves, locking themselves up where no one will touch them, and immersing themselves in philosophizing.

Loss of the meaning of life

This last stage depression. A person not only has no mood - he has no desire to live. His body is still alive important features but it works offline. But in the mental sphere, pathological processes begin to occur.

IN best case a person will remain indifferent and detached from the world. And at worst, animal aggression will wake up in him. Such people are capable of harming themselves and others. Because they cease to perceive this world as something valuable, and cease to identify themselves with a Man, with a Personality. Of the consequences, memory loss, schizophrenia, depressive psychosis. This is what a long-term depressed mood is transformed into. That is why it is so important to catch on even at the first stage, and either ask for help or get on your feet on your own.

Why is the blues coming?

Depression, depression and despondency always have prerequisites. Sometimes they are even combined into a complex. The reason may be a lack of vitamin D and the sun.

Even according to statistics, depression develops most often in the fall, when daylight hours are reduced. The sun is getting smaller, and in fact it is he who stimulates the production of vital energy in the body. essential vitamin D.

Health problems also often affect the psychosomatic state of a person. There is a depressed mood during pregnancy, menopause, problems with the thyroid gland, etc.

Often the prerequisite is overwork or exhaustion of the body. Full time job, busy schedule, eternal employment with problems - it is logical that the body begins to mope. But such cases are treated very simply. You just need to take a vacation and let yourself relax.

And the last popular reason is the lack of physical activity. If it is not, then endorphin stops being produced. But it is he who is the hormone of joy. By adding a jog or a couple of hours in the gym for a week to your regimen, you can see how your condition improves. Both physical and psychosomatic.

What to do?

First, don't give up and don't give up. If this is the first stage, then everything can be fixed. The main thing is to act immediately.

If a person began to notice a bad mood in the morning, which only gets worse during the day, you need to bring more movement into your life. Physical labor brings satisfaction. Even cleaning the house will help streamline your feelings and thoughts. But lying on the couch only worsens the condition.

You also need to start constantly pleasing yourself with your favorite things. It can be anything - shopping, gatherings with friends, ordering a whole mountain tasty food home, vacation trip, dancing, drawing, swinging. You just need to forget about all the worries, your age and responsibilities, and do what you want.

Relaxation is also important. Foamy hot tub, aromatherapy, music caressing the ear, and after delicious coffee, and reading an interesting book, sitting in an easy chair under a blanket - it sounds like an introvert's paradise. If a person is overtaken by the blues, then silence and such a utopian comfort will help him relax and unwind a little.

Finding an exit

Of course, there are people who do not leave blues, depression and despondency only after signing up for the gym and a couple of days off. In more severe cases, you need to act more radically.

A change of scenery can help. When a person is depressed, the same ceiling with walls that appears in the morning before his eyes every day is incredibly depressing. You need to leave, and preferably closer to nature. She heals. The sounds of falling water, a babbling stream, birds singing, the rustle of leaves, the rustle of grass - this has therapeutic effect and helps to reduce the level of stress hormones, as well as the normalization of pressure. This atmosphere is healing. For a person under arrest in a noisy stone jungle, it is simply necessary.

In addition, it is impossible not to mention the qualitative difference between fresh natural air and stale air that reigns in the premises. Like it or not, but in most cities it is spoiled by gases and harmful emissions. Even ventilation won't help. Whether it's forest or sea air.

And, of course, bioenergy. The city “presses” on all people and devastates them. What is it like to be in the center of the bustle of a depressed person who has been overcome by depression? You can feel pure bioenergy only by coming into contact with nature. Meet the sunset, lie down on the grass, walk barefoot on the sand, swim in a crystal clear pond ... they say, this way you can get rid of static electricity. Be that as it may, in the bosom of nature, a person rather quickly leaves the state of despondency, and begins to feel the taste of life again.

Help from a specialist

Sometimes, it is necessary. Constantly bad mood due to all of the above is one thing. But the realities are much more known serious cases. Those in which it is really impossible to do without antidepressants, therapy and talking with a doctor.

This refers to a psychological disorder provoked by something that destroyed a person's life in an instant. It could be anything. Death of a loved one. Loss of all accumulated wealth. Betrayal or betrayal. The destruction of all plans, hopes and dreams without exception. Sudden changes. At such moments, one can really understand a person who loses the desire to exist in this world. Because her very purpose, the reason for which he woke up in the morning, is leaving his life. The person loses himself. And this is something that even the enemy does not want to wish.

Treatment

It starts with psychotherapy. To which a person suffering from depression and a chronically depressed state comes with difficulty. People oppose different reasons. Most often because they consider going to a psychotherapist to be a “edge”, or they don’t want to be considered crazy, or they “dig” in their head. In such cases, the support of loved ones and motivation on their part is very important. It is extremely rare for people to go to a psychotherapist on their own. Most often, they are convinced by relatives, and in especially difficult cases, they even organize sessions by force.

Psychotherapy implies therapeutic effect through the psyche human body. The doctor helps the patient get rid of social, individual and emotional problems, first establishing a deep personal contact with him through conversation. Often accompanied by cognitive, behavioral and other techniques.

Medical assistance

Medicines are also prescribed. Depressed mood, the causes of which are also determined by the doctor, is treated with antidepressants.

These are psychotropic medicines, which normalize the level of neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin). After taking them, a person’s mood and appetite improve, longing, anxiety, insomnia and apathy disappear, mental activity increases. And he's on the mend.

Release of emotions

A person who is constantly accompanied by a spoiled mood rarely wants to communicate with someone. More often he is overcome by a desire to close himself from the outside world and worry. The main thing is that no one climbed into the soul. A lot of people feel like they can't be understood. Someone is afraid of selfishness - to open the soul, and in response to get a spit.

Well, it often happens that way. But the release of emotions is necessary. The methods by which it can be carried out are extremely simple. Someone is trying to find sympathy on the Internet, under the guise of an anonymous person. Others take a notebook and begin to splash out their experiences on the sheets. And that makes it easier. It's better than texting someone. No need to formulate words - it is enough to state what reigns in the head and soul. Often, in the process of maintaining such a kind of diary, good, correct thoughts come. Sometimes it is possible to find out the exact cause of one's own, or an idea is born on its own regarding how to deal with it.

Set goals and go for them

Here's how you can "drive" a depressed mood. What should a person do if depression has completely swallowed him up? You need to push off the bottom. No matter how difficult it is. All psychologists recommend this method. You need to set a goal for yourself. It may be insignificant. A person who has locked himself at home, for example, needs to force himself to go outside every day for at least 15 minutes. It's real. Choosing a goal, you need to focus on your own resources. After its implementation, you must definitely reward yourself, at least with praise for a new achievement.

It is also recommended to find comrades in misfortune - those who also suffer from depression. If relatives and friends do not understand a person, then such people will definitely be able to find support. Because they know what he's going through. The meeting of "soulmates" will help reduce the feeling of isolation, find understanding and even advice.

Finding Joy

Finally, I would like to note one more actionable recommendation. Many experts advise depressed people to find a new meaning in life. Something that makes you want to wake up. The best option- get a pet.

Even medicine confirms the importance of animals in recovery wellness And emotional state person. Eat official statistics, confirming that people who have a pet are 30% less likely to seek medical help. Animals are great companions that bring joy.

In addition, starting to take care of a pretty living being, a person will increase the energy of compassion, feel spiritual warmth. After all, there are so many animals unconditional love that she just can't resist.