Depression treatments. Physical exercise in the fight against depression. How to identify depression in men and women

To understand whether the possibility of overcoming is really real, it is necessary to understand what exactly depression is and for what reasons it occurs. Let's make a reservation that this note cannot include such an analysis and description, especially detailed recommendations, we will give only the basic theses. First of all, it is important to distinguish between such concepts and phenomena as the direct definition of depression, its causes, triggers, symptoms, biophysiological mechanisms and reactions. All this, unfortunately, is not yet completely clearly differentiated and often one is replaced by another.

In order. Definition or definition. - this is a long-term experience of a depressed, gloomy mood and numerous other somatic and mental symptoms that affect thoughts, feelings, behavior, the entire body and have a negative impact on all areas of human life. Treated as a mental health disorder only when the condition lasts at least four consecutive weeks. In short cases, it is considered as temporary bad mood, loss of strength, depression, spleen. If these short-term attacks occur very often, then recurrent fulminant depression can be suspected. In any case, only a competent specialist can diagnose this or that type of depression.

Valid Reasons long-term experience of depressed mood (with or without the action of triggers), which causes many severe psychosomatic symptoms, is exclusively in the personal aspect (in what, as they say, is “between the ears”). These are the so-called four absences (sometimes confusion with them - a person says: “I seem to be lost”) of the basic worldview components necessary for a more or less planned course of human life:

• lack of meaning in life
• no plans for the future
• lack of humility
• lack of a moral (spiritual-moral) core.

The lack of meaning in life plays a critical role in the etiology of neurosis. Ultimately, neurosis should be understood as the suffering of a soul that does not find its meaning ... About a third of my cases are suffering not from some clinically definable neurosis, but from the meaninglessness and aimlessness of one's own life.
Carl Gustav Jung

These components may not be fully realized and not be able to formulate, but they must be present in one or another quality sufficient for a given individual, and note that each of them will have their own, individual, satisfying this particular personality. Unfortunately, the format and topic of this note do not leave us the opportunity to consider them in detail - this is an occasion for a separate, more voluminous conversation.

Our psyche often uses depression to get our attention and point out to us that somewhere deep within us lies a lie.
James Hollis

Everything else that is often called the causes of depression, we will attribute to triggers - to those moments from which the countdown of the disease begins, i.e. immediate symptoms begin. But it is important to understand that trigger points are not the very cause of depression, since almost every one of us has experienced an unexpected loss or a difficult conflict, but not all of us have fallen into a depressive state. Its development is just promoted by the above four factors, because they are what is the antidote in case of an immediate threat of the development of the disease. And if they are not there or there are obvious problems with them, then nothing can resist the disease. Another criterion: overcoming the causes of the disease in combination with competent therapy leads to recovery. The expiration of the triggering factor, even in the presence of therapy, will not mean a mandatory recovery, while the formulation of answers to the four questions posed will allow us to ascertain the way out of the disease state and consolidate the results of the recovery process.

Achieving true peace(having solved the indicated issues - author's note) , we will not lose it, even if the whole world turns against us, indignant with malice. If our own mind is restless, revolted and full of evil intentions, then others, even those who do not at all seek to harm us, will appear unkind and dangerous. This is a reflection of our own mood, hidden feelings and experiences. Because of them, we will drag out our days in inescapable fear, excitement, anxiety and uncertainty. Even living in abundance, using all the benefits of this material world, we will not know peace if our mind is indignant. Although we are surrounded by relatives and best friends, because of our own attitude, we will deprive ourselves of happiness. So the inner mood plays a major role.

Dalai Lama

So what can serve trigger, the impetus for the development of depression as a disease? Catastrophes, serious illnesses and injuries, losses, disappointments, overloads, threats, unsuccessful attempts, sudden changes in life - any negatively colored events. Moreover, the intensity of these events can also be very variable, and everyone will have their own threshold of pain perception. And it is immediately clear, since we are talking about events, i.e. about what is limited in time, we understand that with the end of these factors, we can talk about the beginning of the recovery process, if the psychosomatics of a person has suffered so much that it needs to be restored. In the case of a reactive shock or a nervous breakdown, recovery proceeds at a fairly rapid pace, precisely because of the presence and action of four specific basic moments that help mobilize the internal reserves of the body, but in the absence of them and the development of depression, recovery can drag on for many years.

Here it should be noted that clinical depression, as a rule, proceeding very hard, may not have visible and clearly differentiated starting points at all, it seems to develop on its own “from scratch”, i.e. only because of the basic absences listed at the beginning.

With the onset of depression as a mental disorder, all sorts of symptoms, which can be divided into four large groups:

• physics/somatics (dizziness, weakness, nausea, tremors, tics, decreased/increased appetite, failure of the hormonal-endocrine system, vegetative-vascular disorders, exacerbation of chronic diseases, etc.),
• psyche (fears, emotional disruptions, apathy, tearfulness, etc.),
• consciousness / mind (negative and, self-abasement, supercriticality, etc.),
• social (changes in behavior, inadequate reactions, increased conflict, limited contacts, etc.).

Difficulties and confusion arise with the beginning of the mutual influence of some symptoms on others, causing the next set of symptoms (that is, when some symptoms become the cause of others) and locking them into a kind of vicious circle, from which it is almost impossible to break out without the intervention of specialists and drugs. For example, mental symptoms cause a malfunction of the hormonal-endocrine system, bringing the disease to a somatic level, which, in turn, gives rise to new mental problems, etc. But we repeat that the basis is still psycho-conscious problems.

It can be said that depression in the early stages is not yet a disease, it is unresolved problems of self-formation and self-determination of the individual (as well as of the whole society as a whole, because it is the environment that largely forms the system of the individual’s worldview), which, with further aggravation of spiritual and intellectual symptoms through failure the work of the energy and hormonal-endocrine centers of the body begin to have a direct impact on physiology and somatics, thereby turning a mental problem into a real complex disease. And not vice versa, as many modern theories accepted as the basis of therapy try to assert.

A sick and dead soul transmits its illness and obscuration to the entire psychosomatic being of a person.
Metropolitan Hierofei (Vlachos). Orthodox psychotherapy.

A set of causes, triggers, and symptoms point directly to the necessary therapeutic measures(As, however, and on possible prophylactic). As a rule, this is a mandatory combination: drug and psychotherapy, and. One way will support and ensure the success of the other. And since, as we have already found out, everything is based on the problem of self-awareness, then the main therapeutic direction will be self-knowledge and self-improvement, the development of spiritually conscious awareness (for example, one of the practical methods is the education of “hygiene of consciousness”) , improving yourself and your life with the help of various methods and specialists, whether it be "official" psychotherapy and religion or "unofficial" teachings, currents and. The main thing is that they should help to find answers to four basic questions, and each of you will look for what is needed and satisfy exactly his needs. In the process of this work, it is necessary to 1) learn to monitor and control the flow of thinking and emotional reactions, 2) break the vicious circle of negative thoughts and experiences, 3) gradually replace them with positive-constructive paradigms, inscribing all this into a holistic worldview concept, which will give answers to the four points above.

Weakness and healing of the soul come down mainly to weakness and healing of the mind, heart and thoughts.
Metropolitan Hierofei (Vlachos). Orthodox psychotherapy.

Here it can be noted that the more universal the systems and methods used, the more global and progressive worldview concept they represent, the more effective results can be expected. For example, the presence in the program of fanatical, xenophobic or racist or any other attitudes restricting human rights immediately indicates the dubious quality of the methods.

It's all about thoughts. Thought is the beginning of everything. And thoughts can be controlled. And therefore the main thing of perfection is to work on thoughts.

Lev Tolstoy

Waiting for everything to happen by itself with the help of one No. 4 tablet is perhaps unbearably stupid, although it is incredibly tempting. It is tempting to believe in miracles, but it is fraught with great disappointments. The process of overcoming depression is incredibly difficult and often unbearably long. But he is real. What is evidenced, which also confirm and show the full severity of the path of overcoming and defeating oneself.

Time and chance can do nothing for those who do nothing for themselves.
J. Canning

It turns out that in order to answer more or less competently the question of whether it is possible to overcome depression, one needs a) a clear definition of concepts, b) diagnosis of a particular case (for example, is depression just a phase of bipolar syndrome), c) an honest, unbiased analysis of the causes , triggers, symptoms and consequences, d) a set of qualified competent techniques, e) sincere desire, capabilities and efforts of the patient, f) a competent therapist or consultant, as well as a support group for relatives or colleagues in misfortune, g) accompanying conditions, which are sometimes called luck or luck, but they are of secondary importance.

And if all the answers to the questions posed are found, our answer to the question in the title - with a slight adjustment for the active role of the patient himself - is in the affirmative: YES, depression can be overcome. You will need great courage, incredible strength, endless patience, competent help, competent knowledge and methods, warm support and undying hope. And in the most difficult, darkest moments, remember Patience, strength and good luck to all those who do not give up!

P.S. If we proceed from the thesis that depression is the antonym of happiness, we will understand that just as happy experiences cannot last constantly throughout life, so depressive moments can occur in connection with certain perturbations and be overcome many times.

P.P.S. People see that something is not good in their life and that something needs to be improved. A person can improve only that one thing that is in his power - himself. But in order to improve oneself, one must first of all admit that I am not good, and I don’t want to. And now all attention is turned not to what is always in your power - not to yourself, but to those external conditions that are not in our power and the change of which can improve the situation of people just as little as shaking wine and pouring it into another. the vessel cannot change its quality. And begins, firstly, idle, and secondly, harmful, proud (we correct other people) and evil (you can kill people who interfere with the common good), corrupting activity.
L. Tolstoy. The path of life.

P.P.P.S. Perfection of knowledge is followed by sincerity of thought, sincerity of thought is followed by straightness of heart, straightness of heart is followed by perfection of personality, perfection of personality is followed by evenness of family, straightness of family is followed by orderliness of state, orderliness of state is followed by balance of the Celestial Empire. For everyone and everyone - from the son of Heaven to the commoner - the improvement of one's personality is the root.
Confucius. Lun Yu.

Can depression be cured?

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This is one of the most frequent and very first questions of depressive stories. Let's try to answer. Depression cannot be cured, but depression can be cured, more precisely, depression can be overcome. Like any psychosomatic disease (and I would add - a disease of the mind / consciousness), depression cannot be cured by the exclusive external influence of procedures and drugs, it is also necessary to strive and actively […]

In the life of any person, there are situations when you feel a loss of vital energy, a desire to do something, you give up, you are constantly in a bad mood and nothing makes you happy. As a rule, a person seeks to cope with such a condition on his own and often simply does not pay attention to it, which subsequently can adversely affect both physical and mental health. Treatment of depression at home is possible only at the initial stage of the disease.

What is depression

The normal reaction of a living organism to stress is a slowdown in vital processes and a decrease in efficiency. Normally, after solving any life problems or troubles, a good mood returns, and a person feels full of energy again.

If the cause of the disorder is eliminated, and sensations and behavior do not change, depression, loss of strength and apathy for life are felt again, you need to seriously think about your condition and eliminate the developing depression.

Also, the first alarming sign should be apathy after minor troubles in life, which minimally affect a person’s plans. Most often, psychologists share several types of depression, depending on a particular season (winter, spring, autumn).

In its advanced form, depression can manifest itself not only as a breakdown and bad mood, but also cause persistent affective disorders of the nervous system. Treatment of depression at home is justified only in some cases, when the disease is mild or at an early stage. In this case, one can use introspection, self-hypnosis and take preparations from natural remedies such as herbs or certain foods.

Depression: symptoms and treatment, the clinical picture of the disease

Depression, like any disease, has well-defined clinical manifestations, with the help of which it can be diagnosed as quickly as possible:

• lack of concentration and attention;
• memory problems;
• apathetic state;
• a constant state of oppression and distraction;
• inability to focus on a particular issue or action;
• indifference to situations that previously caused joy and satisfaction.

A person in a depressed state can constantly scroll through his head with negative thoughts that have no underlying reason. In addition, you need to pay attention to unconscious fears, a state of anxiety and restlessness, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, and sudden weight loss. All of these symptoms are associated with depression. Causes, treatment and features of therapy can only be determined by a specialist.

Manic depressive syndrome

It is a special manifestation of depression, which is characterized as a frequent change of mood with a loss of attention and reality. It has two phases - manic and severe depression.

The manic phase manifests itself:

• a state of euphoria;
• hyperactivity;
• possible occurrence of hallucinations;
• delirium;
• irritability;
• fast speech;
• sharp jumps from one subject to another;
• lack of concentration;
• loss of appetite;
• sleep problems;
• loss of skills (social, professional, educational).

Symptoms may be mild or severe. The phase of severe depression has several manifestations, including the appearance of phobias, feelings of anxiety, obsessions, and a state of panic. Treatment of depression at home should proceed under the supervision of a doctor who will help you choose effective methods and prescribe, if necessary, the correct dosage of drugs based on drugs.

Phobias in depression

A phobia manifests itself as an unconscious fear. The cause can be any action or object. The occurrence of phobias is not limited, they occur at any age and are often completely unreasonable and imperceptible.

A person with a certain phobia is ready to do anything to avoid an unpleasant situation. Therefore, he often behaves inappropriately in a seemingly standard situation. Treatment of depression with folk remedies in this case is not entirely relevant, since the help of specialists and the use of medications in conjunction with psychotherapy will give the fastest and best effect.

State of anxiety or panic

Manifested by anxiety, fear, a sense of uncertainty. The feeling of anxiety is a necessary vital factor for a person, as it gives him the opportunity to stop in time in the right situation, monitor his health and condition. But it is necessary to ensure that anxiety does not outgrow an adequate border. Increased anxiety prevents a person from making timely decisions, makes him think and concentrate for a long time.

Women are more prone to anxiety conditions, they are often associated with disruptions in the endocrine system and can be inherited. Psychological traumas, especially those received in childhood, also cause unreasonable fear when faced with such situations. The treatment of depression, reviews of which can be heard from former patients, testifies to the effectiveness of psychotherapy and medications.

Anxiety states are characterized by the speed and loudness of speech, the presence of certain forms of behavior (pacing around the room, clasping hands, lack of concentration, trembling in the body, irritability).

Panic states tend to be more severe. The state of anxiety intensifies and brings a person to panic or horror, this state can last for several hours, which greatly affects the state of the human nervous system.

Obsessions

They are thoughts that haunt a person. Most often, this symptom manifests itself in adolescence or young age. It consists in performing certain rituals (a person constantly repeats the same actions, thinking that in this way he can prevent an undesirable development of events).

It can be manifested by a manic desire for cleanliness, constant checking or rechecking of some items, observing a certain sequence of rituals. Treatment of depression on your own in the presence of obsessions does not give results, since this symptom is a consequence of a severe degree of the course of the disease and indicates a malfunction of the nervous system.

post-traumatic syndrome

Occurs after suffering a mental or physical injury. It can be a robbery, rape, being in captivity. After the transferred states, a person from time to time experiences the same sensations of fear, it can be associated with a specific place or people with whom the victim may meet in the future. Treatment for major depression can only be treated by professionals.

Also, this syndrome can be manifested by loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability and depression. Post-traumatic stress requires medical intervention and long-term treatment. In some cases, hospitalization of the patient is indicated.

Treatment for depression

In some cases, it is possible to eliminate the disease at the initial stage on its own. However, only a professional psychotherapist will be able to deal with such a problem as quickly as possible; in especially severe cases, only a psychiatrist can help. Treatment of depression at home requires a strong desire of the patient to return to an active life and the absence of suicidal thoughts. Otherwise, it is better to hospitalize the patient and monitor his condition.

It is the possibility of an imperceptible transition from an ordinary bad mood to persistent mental disorders that is the greatest danger of depression. The basis of treatment is pharmacological therapy, changes in diet and diet, homeopathic medicines.

Medications include tranquilizers and antidepressants, and psychotherapy is also effective. In most cases, the psychotherapeutic effect has a positive effect on the state of the human body and allows you to cope with a depressive and depressed state without medication.

Treatment of depression folk remedies

In alternative medicine, dried herbs are used for treatment, from which tinctures or decoctions are prepared. Their action lies in the presence in plants of certain active substances that can restore and normalize the level of hormones in the body, affecting the state of the nervous system and the work of the whole organism as a whole.

For the treatment of depression, it is optimal to use lemon balm. Preparing the tincture is very easy. It is necessary to add 10 g of dried lemon balm, 1 g of angelica root (everything can be purchased at a pharmacy), the peel of one lemon, 2 buds of dried cloves and one pinch of coriander and nutmeg to 1 liter of vodka.

The mixture must be infused in a dark, cool place for two weeks. It should be taken with tea in small quantities. Treatment of depression in women with this tincture gives the fastest results.

Such a tool perfectly helps to cope with depression, restore the vitality and activity of the body, cope with bad mood and depression, as well as get rid of laziness and apathy.

Diet to treat depression

By adjusting the diet, you can significantly influence the state of the body and self-awareness. With depression, it is necessary to completely exclude coffee and tea, sugar, flour products, hot spices, chocolate and chemical additives from the diet.

Meals should be three times a day. For breakfast, it is optimal to eat fruits, nuts and dairy products, for lunch - vegetables or steamed meat, whole grain bread and milk, for dinner - vegetable salad, legumes and hard cheese. Treating depression on your own with diet is the most effective way.

Apples should be consumed in large quantities. They are the best remedy for depression, they can be baked, prepared in fruit salads or eaten fresh with honey. Such nutrition will strengthen the nervous system, energize the body, give new strength and ideas.

Herbal infusions for depression

Treatment of depression at home with folk remedies is the use of medicinal herbs. The most popular are ginseng leaves or roots, they need to be poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1:10. You need to take one teaspoon.

Mint is also very popular in the treatment of depression. It is prepared by taking 1 tablespoon of dried leaves to a glass of boiling water. The broth should be boiled for 10 minutes, taken on an empty stomach for half a glass.

This article is about how to get rid of depression on your own without the help of pills or doctors. If you have already read my blog, then you know that all my articles are based on personal experience. I write about how I got rid of a lack of discipline, bad habits, learned to deal with stress and control emotions. I take all these tips from personal practice, and not from books and textbooks. And this article is no exception.

This article reflects only my personal experience, I do not pretend that these truths can be applied to any experience without exception.

And the methods of this article in no way claim to replace qualified psychotherapy in combination with drug treatments. If you find yourself depressed, I highly recommend contacting a qualified, good specialist.

And the information in this article will help you get acquainted with the view of the problem, understand what methods should be resorted to, and you will also find effective self-help techniques in it.

Let me briefly tell my story.

History of my illness

A few years ago I suffered from the so-called and even went to the doctor with this problem. Against the background of panic attacks, some kind of despondency, chronic pessimism, despair, dissatisfaction with life, high mental sensitivity and even tearfulness began to develop. Nobody diagnosed me with such a diagnosis as depression, probably because there was no one to put it on - I did not communicate with doctors on this issue (although I tried to “treat” them for panic attacks).

But I have observed many symptoms of this disease in myself. I did not feel bad all the time: this state of psychological discomfort came in attacks. At the same time, there were problems with sleep: and, sometimes, I was thrown up on the bed, as soon as I fell into sleep, as if a sudden discharge of current passed through my body. To eliminate all these symptoms, I began to drink alcohol, which later developed into a chronic habit.

Symptoms of depression provoked difficulties at work and at home. Apathy and lack of purpose gave rise to laziness, and sudden outbursts of irritation or despondency reflected badly on the people around me.

How does depression appear?

It happens that depression is caused by some unpleasant event, such as the death of a relative. And it happens that this ailment manifests itself as if for no reason. In fact, there is always a reason, it's just that it is either hidden, or there are many of these reasons. For example, a person may experience depression due to constant stress, fatigue, alcohol use, family problems, lack of goals and aspirations, etc. All these things together can form a favorable psychological background for the development of depression.

Many may think that depression caused by some single, non-repeating event (death of a loved one) is less hopeless than the same disease, but provoked by recurring circumstances (stress, constant nervous fatigue, character traits, etc.) .

After all, sooner or later, the memory of misfortune will begin to fade, and life will begin to be filled with new meaning, new pleasures, and along with this, grief and the depression associated with it should disappear. But it doesn't always happen this way. An unfortunate event can only become a "trigger" of depression for a person who, due to various factors, was predisposed to it.

This is similar to how a draft causes a cold in a person with a weak immune system. It cannot be said that a draft alone caused a cough and a sore throat. The air from the open window only provoked the disease, and the prerequisites for its occurrence already existed due to weak immunity.

Even if a cold passes after a week, then after that a person still runs the risk of getting sick if he gets caught in the rain or in a draft.

Some kind of misfortune in the life of a certain person can become such a “draught” for the appearance of depression. Like a chronic illness, depression can weaken your “immunity” and increase your risk of developing the disease in the future.

So it was with me. I used to be a very sensitive and receptive person to stress. At one point, severe stress provoked panic attacks and depression associated with them. If my psyche were more stable and stable, then I would have reacted to this situation more calmly and it would not have caused such severe consequences for me. But I was what I was...

After a few years, I already forgot about this stress, the memories of those events ceased to cause pain, I began to take it easier. But depression and panic attacks have not disappeared. Because these ailments even more "shattered" the already painful psyche. When I forgot about that stressful situation, I still continued to suffer from sudden attacks of panic, bad mood and pessimism.

I gave this example to draw a very important conclusion about the nature of depression. I believe that most often, the causes of this disease are in the person himself, and not in external circumstances. I don't take extremes. Naturally, there are things that can break and make even the strongest people suffer. But, in most situations, depression is a consequence of your mental state, physical health, nervous sensitivity and worldview.

And some situations in the outside world can only start something for which the prerequisites already existed.

My method is to strengthen the immune system

Despite the fact that antidepressants and tranquilizers can positively affect the symptoms of depression, they cannot be dispensed with alone!

Even if your depression is caused by an imbalance in the chemical balance in the brain, then there are other ways besides pills to restore this balance. It has been proven that even psychotherapy, various practices of working on oneself change the chemical balance in the head. That's it!

Moreover, although I cannot deny the need for medication, it has been proven that psychotherapy and work on oneself have a much more lasting and lasting effect. That is, the pills will relieve the symptoms. But if you want to strengthen your “psychological immunity”, reduce the likelihood of recurrence of depressive episodes in the future, then you definitely need to work on yourself!

In order not to get sick with a cold, you need to temper yourself, keep your body in good shape, and not just drink all sorts of drugs. The same applies to depression. It is necessary to stabilize the emotional background, strengthen the nervous system and learn to look at things differently. This is what my method is.

It helped me not only to get rid of depression and panic attacks, but to be sure that this would not happen again. And even if it happens again, I can handle it on my own. I will not depend on the arbitrariness of these attacks, unknown to me, and tremble at the mere thought that they will return, as they were before. Let them come back - I know what to do.

However, in some cases drugs are needed. They are needed simply to literally “put a person on his feet”, to help him start working on himself, undergo therapy. This is just some pharmacological support, but not the treatment itself. This must be understood. But if your case is severe, the medical method cannot be neglected!

But you just don’t need to see this as a panacea and limit yourself to drugs: pills are just your temporary assistant in the service of therapy. Be sure, in addition to pills, you need to carry out activities to work with the psyche on your own or better under the supervision of a psychotherapist.

Get rid of depression - start working on yourself

I turn to the practical part of the article and a description of those tips that will help you get rid of depression and strengthen your mental immunity.

Eliminate negative ideas

There are some ideas that make it very difficult to recover from bouts of mental blues. I must say right away that these ideas are false and need to get rid of them. I will elaborate on each of these ideas below.

Idea 1 - I am depressed because I am such a person (nervous, sensitive, ), this is how I am arranged and there is nothing I can do about it.

There is no more destructive delusion for the development of personality! You are depressed, not because you are who you are, but because you have not done anything to change! Every person is capable, every personality has a huge potential for positive metamorphoses.

In order to stop experiencing depression, many people will have to work on themselves and even change their outlook on things. Get ready for it. It's not easy, but it's certainly possible. This is confirmed by my experience and the very fact of the existence of this site.

Idea 2 - I'm depressed because some circumstances of my life are to blame (I live in a bad country, I don't have money to buy myself, everything I want, I'm surrounded by idiots, I don't have a girlfriend / boyfriend , my parents did not like me, etc.).

This is also a rather dangerous misconception. When you feel bad, you are overcome by despondency, your brain tries by all means to find the cause of the situation. The search for a cause precedes the determination of a solution, which is why many people cling to these imaginary causes as lifelines. This helps them to realize that they know why they are suffering and know how to stop this suffering.

This gives them a sense of control over the situation. They think: “as soon as I change my job or place of residence, my depression will stop, I know what to do, now I am suffering, but later, when I move to a new country, divorce my wife, buy myself a yacht, everything will be fine.” This is how hope appears. Therefore, depressed people are extremely reluctant to part with such ideas.

The brain begins with great zeal to sort out those circumstances that cause discomfort and bring them under the causes of depression. It can be difficult for us to abstract from our perception and understand that the whole point is in this perception itself.

A negative view of things, negative emotions, constant resentment and despondency make an extremely strong distortion in our view of things. You can look at the world through rose-colored glasses, or you can observe it, on the contrary, looking through glasses with cloudy, gray glasses.

Depression makes things look different from what they are to ordinary, pure perception. We begin to pay attention to the bad sides of life, our shortcomings seem huge to us, the problems are insurmountable, and the whole life is a series of senseless suffering.

If you suffer from depression, your perception is illusory, erroneous and does not reflect the real state of affairs. It's like you're under the influence of a drug! Don't believe this perception! Need to change it!

If you cannot be happy with what you have, then you cannot be happy under any circumstances! Wherever you go, no matter what woman you find, no matter how much wealth you have, your negative perception will remain with you.

And you can’t run away from it just by moving to another place! But if you change your perception, you may realize that the conditions in which you live are not so bad, your friends are not so terrible, and in life, there seems to be something worth living for! Nothing in the world around you will change, just your views will change!

In my life, for example, there are still things that do not suit me and that I want to change (for example, working conditions, not having my own living space). But these things no longer make me unhappy, because I myself have become different, although before it seemed to me that it was because of these things that I felt bad.

When I try to convince people that the whole problem is in themselves, in their perception of life, I run into an insurmountable barrier. They begin to show a violent reluctance to part with the idea that the causes of their depression are rooted in some external circumstances. After all, their hope is based on this idea, a false, groundless, illusory hope!

Of course, it is necessary to change in life, what does not suit you in it. But, first of all, you need to start with yourself!

Idea 3 - Depression is purely a psychological illness.

This is wrong. Depression is also related to the state of your body. Bad habits, fatigue, stress can lead to the appearance of this disease. And quite the opposite: playing sports, keeping your body in good shape, regular rest can help prevent depression.

Stop looking for the causes of your unhappiness only in some lofty matters: in a feeling of existential emptiness, loss of Faith, etc. Pay attention also to how your body feels, whether it is healthy enough and whether it receives all the vitamins it needs to work.

Practice meditation for inner balance

Meditation helped me get out of the pool of despondency and pessimism, to find joy and faith in myself. I forgot about depression and panic attacks. Meditation calms and stabilizes the psyche, gives a good mood and relieves stress. Laboratory studies of meditation have shown that the practice of meditation affects the brain, increasing the activity of electrical alpha waves, at the frequency of which the brain begins to work. Such activity contributes to a calm, relaxed state.

Regular meditation practice can help with depression, although it cannot be said that it will help everyone. Even if with the help of them it will not be possible to completely get rid of this ailment, then practice will help you to endure these attacks more easily and somehow control them.

In my opinion, meditation is one of the most effective and safe means to get rid of blues, nervousness, anger and anxiety. Many people greatly underestimate the effect of this practice and believe that it will not help them.

When I advise people who are suffering and cannot understand themselves to start practicing meditation, they respond to these tips with a slight bewilderment. They don’t say it directly, but most likely they think this way: maybe meditation will help me feel calmer, better control my emotions, but will it save me from what makes me unhappy? Can practice attract money, which I so lack for happiness? Can I find the woman of my dreams with the help of her, without whom I feel bad?

Many people think this way, and in the end, they remain convinced that meditation is not for them, and it will not solve their problems. Thinking like that is a mistake. For these people, it is more important to keep faith in their own prejudices, which they used to believe in, than to try something else and try to help themselves in another way. This train of thought, a consequence of the presence in the head of a false idea number 2, which I wrote about above.

You are most likely not unhappy because you live in a bad country and you do not have enough money for an expensive car that your neighbor has. Happiness and unhappiness depend more on your internal state than on external circumstances, I wrote about this in my article.

Meditation is a great way to put your psychological and emotional state in order, to look at the world with a sober and clear look, and not through gray lenses.

When you remove your illusion points, your values ​​may change. These will no longer be the ideals on which you base your belief in deliverance from suffering. Now you can believe that without a huge bank account you will not be happy, but if you understand your desires well, gain a sense of inner comfort and a sense of independence, you will understand that the value of life is completely different!

Through practice and self-knowledge, you can realize that the deepest treasure of life is contained in itself, in the very fact that you live and breathe, and not in the possession of some things.

A bank account is also good, but this is not the main thing. You will achieve this someday if you try, but first you need to find happiness within yourself.

Meditation can change your outlook on things, teach you to notice its good sides in this life, see joy in small things, and with the help of introspection and reflection, come to the realization of your true goals.

Practice has taught me all this, and I hope it will teach you too. A sense of inner comfort, contentment, optimism, and calmness is what regular practice leads to.

I am sure that depression will be very difficult to manifest in such a state of mind and feelings.

I started meditating in the hope that the practice would help me eliminate depression and panic attacks. But she gave me immeasurably more than just getting rid of despondency and anxiety! I realized my weaknesses and shortcomings, began to work on myself, strengthened my willpower, became more sociable and cheerful, and gained control over my desires and emotions.

Attention! Meditation does not have an instant effect! Depression won't go away! Only regular, long-term practice (preferably under the supervision of a psychotherapist) can help you!

Depression may worsen in the first weeks of the practice. This is fine. Some antidepressants have a similar effect when a person first starts taking them. If the unpleasant effect does not go away for a long time with continued practice, meditate less or stop meditating altogether.

In order to get rid of depression with the help of meditation, it is not enough just to sit, meditate and wait for depression to pass by itself. Meditation is not an end in itself, it is just a tool. About how to use this tool correctly to cope with depression and not harm yourself, I describe in the article. If you want to start meditating, This article is a must read for you!

Strengthen your body

The cause of depression may not only be in the psychological aspects of your personality. Your mental state is highly dependent on your physical health. You are unlikely to get rid of despondency if you often drink alcohol, smoke, chronically lack sleep and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Alcohol and other drugs (including antidepressants) provide only temporary relief, but in the long run they only aggravate the situation and increase the chance of further development of depression. And .

Physical activity, sports exercises not only strengthen your body and increase physical tone, but also improve your mood, relieve fatigue and stress. Sport is a natural antidepressant. Sport allows you to raise the level of endorphins (“hormones of happiness”) in your brain, causing joy and euphoria.

This way to cheer up does not have side effects in the form of depression, insomnia and decreased sexual function, like many antidepressants. A side effect of sports as a means of raising the mood is a healthy body.

If you are not into sports yet, then start doing at least exercises in the morning and light jogging. If running is still hard for you, take long walks in the fresh air. Notice how short exercise and walks boost your mood and improve your overall well-being. Track this effect, feel it, and remember it so that your brain associates the feeling of pleasure with useful activities, like sports.

I am sure that yoga classes are great help to cope with mental blues, besides, they are very useful for your body. Try it!

Lack of vitamins, junk food can also greatly affect your psychological state, so try to eat right: visit fast food less often, eat less rubbish like sausages or chips.

Develop willpower

The key to successful recovery from depression is the development of willpower. Without willpower, you cannot. Instead of jogging, you will be left to grieve at home. Instead of practicing meditation regularly, you will choose an easier way: go to the doctor and ask him to write you another pill.

Without willpower, you won’t be able to pull yourself together and say to yourself: “let me feel bad and don’t want to do anything, but I’ll still get out of bed, wipe this suffering mine from my face and do what will help me get rid of depression forever !"

Depression is fueled by your lack of will, weakness and laziness. On these qualities, it grows and grows stronger by leaps and bounds! If you can't say no to your weaknesses, if you can't control yourself when you feel like complaining about life, if you can't force yourself to forget your gloom when you have to work, then it will be difficult for you to eradicate depression.

When I began to actively fight depression (for a long time I did not make any active attempts to fight), I discovered one remarkable property of willpower.

Sometimes I lay and suffered from another bout of blues: I didn’t want to do anything, I only wanted to whine and complain. At one point, I realized what to do. I realized that you can’t go on about these desires, but you need to do the opposite! If, because of despondency, you want to lie down and complain, you need to get up and do something, for example, clean the house, do other things. If you want to complain about the life of a friend or just infect him with your despondency, then instead you need to stretch a smile on your face and say something good, pleasant!

It's not easy at first. There is a very strong resistance, as if you are going against the wind of incredible strength, which blows your body in the opposite direction to the movement. But as soon as this resistance is overcome, a wonderful relief appears, even some kind of triumph! A triumph of willpower! Fear and despondency recede! You feel power and control over the situation!

Willpower is one of the most effective tools that allows you to achieve great success in the fight against depression and panic attacks and other types of blues.

That is why the effect often disappears with the end of taking antidepressants - the disease returns again. And why shouldn’t he come back if you haven’t learned anything, if you haven’t increased your mental immunity, if you haven’t eliminated the very prerequisites for the onset of depression, but only struggled with the symptoms?

If you are weak, prone to anxiety and worries, do not know how to control your feelings, then pills will not cure you of this! You will remain the same, and with it there will be a risk of another blues.

Strengthen the nervous system, learn to relax

This can be attributed to physical health, but it’s better to write about it in a separate paragraph. Anxiety, nervousness, irritability are all prerequisites for depression. In addition to physical healing procedures that strengthen the nervous system, learn to contain and control nervousness.

Learn stress management and relaxation techniques.

Learn to control your emotions

Negative emotions can also serve as a source of discouragement. Anger, envy, irritation, hatred, pathology - all this poisons your personality, making it more prone to despondency. Learn to control yourself and get rid of negative experiences.

Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself

Stop complaining about life! Stop telling your friends how unhappy you are - they have enough problems of their own. It only poisons your mood and sets you on a tone of self-pity. Try to focus on the positive aspects of life. There are people whose life is much harder than yours. There are those who live in conditions of constant danger to life, deprivation and hunger.

I assure you that if you have enough food, water, housing and some health, then this is almost all you need to be happy! Learn to be happy with what is, and not be sad about what is not!

Train yourself to endure the blues and heartache, do not identify yourself with this state. Act and behave as if it is not there, forget about it, do not pay attention to it, do not let it take possession of you. This state is simply a chain of chemical reactions that take place in your brain. And it is in your power to control this state.

If you cry and complain, constantly thinking about how unhappy you are because of depression, then you will only increase your ailment. After all, depression is not only a state of your body, it is also all your experiences associated with it. The disease itself is not so scary when you begin to suffer because of it and wrap your anxieties, unhappy thoughts and fears on top of it!

Even a common cold with a temperature is easier if you do not lose heart, do not whine and wait for recovery. Treat depression like a cold. Be patient, this is just a temporary state of mind. Things around are not so terrible, the situation is not so hopeless. The fact that everything is bad makes you think of an ailment - do not succumb to this!

Get rid of depression - improve external living conditions

I have already written about how important it is to work on yourself and change your outlook on things in order to stop feeling blues. But, our external conditions of existence can also affect your psychological state. True, these conditions are not as important as many of you used to think. What matters is what's inside. And so that you do not forget about it, I will remind you of this in each of the points that I will list below.

Create comfortable living conditions

If many people live in one small room, then this can cause feelings of psychological discomfort. And it's not even about the people themselves, but about their number. No matter how good relations in a team or family are, tightness, lack of solitude can greatly spoil the mood and interfere with a good rest.

If you have the opportunity, move to a larger room, move from your parents to a separate apartment (or cottage). Let this apartment be small and located far away, but housing will be more comfortable if you live, say, with one wife than with your wife and parents.

Probably, those of you who have housing problems will now think to themselves: “Oh, that's it! That's why I'm unhappy!" No, that's not the only reason.

Even in the absence of comfortable housing, you can find your happiness! It's also up to you. If you do not yet have the opportunity to change your living circumstances, then work on yourself, develop your qualities, this will help you endure adverse life circumstances more steadfastly.

Even if you have your own living space, create coziness and comfort conditions there. Tidy up the house, get a pet if you don't have one. Better cat. Better yet, two cats. Or a cat and a dog.

An animal won’t make you happy right away, but a four-legged friend helps relieve stress, brightens up loneliness and improves your mood.

Find the right job

Don't like your job? Change her! Don't like working at all? Create your business and organize it in such a way that it does not take much time and effort! Think about what you want from life. Maybe it's time to start moving towards something, and not sit and passively contemplate how nothing changes year after year, and all your dreams melt like ice in the sun?

If you find your life purpose and start moving towards it, it will fill your life with meaning and give you the joy of existence. After all, some way will open for you, you will stop living without any purpose! The lack of meaning in life and the collapse of hopes can provoke despondency.

What is stopping you from moving towards your dreams? Most likely, only your internal limitations: laziness, fear and doubt. Start slowly realizing your wildest desires. Learn, read, communicate with people, learn about all the possibilities that exist in this world.

Working 5/2 in a job you don't like, as allegedly "everyone" does, is not the only viable alternative. There are many other opportunities, you just need to learn about them, and not sit back and wait for these opportunities to find you. Move and learn new things, explore different options, make plans.

But it's not just about work.

Even doing activities that do not bring pleasure, you can find your happiness!

But still, you need to strive for the best! So start looking for new opportunities!

Update: Let me explain the above statement a bit. Lack of purpose is not always one of the causes of depression. It's more of a consequence. Therefore, finding and finding a purpose is not always a panacea for depression. It is difficult when nothing pleases you, nothing inspires you. A chronically depressed person is not inspired by opportunities to improve his life in some way. Everything is equally bad for him.

To find your goal, you need to work on yourself, meditate, achieve at least some kind of internal balance. You don't have to start by trying to find a stimulus when you're feeling down and not attracted to anything. Start with yourself. Purpose and incentive are secondary.

Find the right life partner

Look for a way out of your loneliness. Find the right pair for you. I cannot teach you how to look for a suitable partner, how to decide on an acquaintance - all this is the topic of separate articles. The only thing I can advise is to choose such a person who will be strong, balanced, balanced and without unnecessary cockroaches in the head.

If you are a subtle, sensitive nature, prone to feelings, then you do not need to meet a person of the same character! Maybe he will be close to you in spirit, but you will not learn anything from him, just like he from you. His and your shortcomings will develop within your union.

It's kind of like incestuous marriages. When people who are in kinship ties give birth to offspring, then it turns out to be weak and defective, as it inherits the weaknesses and defects of the father and mother. But people who are not relatives are much more likely to have healthy children.

Therefore, you do not need to choose a person with the same shortcomings as you. Your union will inherit your weaknesses and will be fragile and short-lived and will become a source of new suffering.

But don't forget that even in loneliness you can find your happiness!

Get out into nature more often

I recommend to those who suffer from depression a calm, measured rest. It is better to relax in quiet places than to wallow in the revelry of a noisy resort. If you just try to distract yourself from depression through unbridled fun, parties and alcohol, it will not do any good, but only harm.

Learn to enjoy nature and peace, walk in parks and forests, go to the country. Stay alone with yourself more often, try to understand yourself, listen to yourself! Fresh air, peace and quiet work wonders!

But, do not forget that even in a noisy city you can be happy!

Final remarks

As you can see, there is a lot of work to be done. You can't get away with pills alone. If you decide to take antidepressants, then combine them with other therapies that I described above. Meditate every day, develop willpower, learn a positive outlook on things, go in for sports. I can't imagine how you can get rid of depression without changing yourself!

Approximately 30% of the 70% of those who read this article to the end will heed the advice and begin to follow my recommendations. The rest will become lazy, they will think that my advice does not suit them, because I do not know their grief, their deep existential troubles and, therefore, I cannot help them in any way, and meditation and yoga are generally some kind of shamanism.

Some of these people may even agree with me, think “yes, it’s all right that Nikolai writes.” But things will not go further than this tacit consent, because what I advise requires patience and diligence. Agreeing with my statements will not prevent someone from running to the doctor for pills, simply because it is the easiest and most effortless.

5-10% out of 30% will methodically follow my advice, actively fight depression, go in for sports, yoga and meditation. The remaining 20% ​​go to a couple of workouts, try to meditate and immediately quit it, seeing that these remedies did not bring instant relief and are difficult to come by. Maybe they will start resorting to pills and alcohol or just continue to suffer.

These 5-10% of persistent and patient people, after some time, will feel that their condition has become better. Not only will depression go away, but they will see improvement in other areas of their lives. Volitional qualities will increase, communication with other people will become easier, the body will gain strength and health, and the mind will become calmer.

For some of these people, depression will go away forever, the other part will learn to control and tolerate it, the symptoms will become less intense, the disorder will begin to appear less often, and the fear of new attacks will pass.

I have given this approximate forecast not to steal your hope. I did this to show that everything is in your hands, and not in the hands of the doctor who treats you, not in the hands of the person who writes hopeful articles, not in the hands of the pharmacists who develop your drugs.

It depends on you whether you will suffer or defeat your sworn enemy - depression. Will you resist or just passively resign yourself to fate. Nobody can help you unless you want to.

Neither I nor anyone else can force you to do something, I can only guide and give advice, everything else is in your hands! Forward! Take action!

Attention! This article does not call for refusing the help of a qualified specialist! Some people can get rid of it on their own, but not all. If you are experiencing severe symptoms of depression, then I recommend that you do not delay and go to a good psychotherapist as soon as possible, a doctor who will not only prescribe drugs (if necessary), but will also conduct therapy sessions with you!

Depression- This is a state of low mood in a person, in which there is constant sadness, melancholy, apathy, fear, a feeling of loss, irritability and loss of interest in daily activities. The disease is twice as common in women and is usually episodic.

Unlike normal sadness or upset, most bouts of depression last for weeks, months, or even years. Some people with depression have a chronic, mild form of the illness called dysthymia. A smaller number of patients suffer from manic-depressive psychosis, in which bouts of depression alternate with periods of high spirits.

depending on the component that prevails in the disease, there are several variants of depressive disorders: anxious, melancholy and apathetic. Also, depression can be disguised as various diseases, accompanied by pain in the abdomen, behind the sternum, and other parts of the body. In this case, the patient constantly visits doctors, looks for a wide variety of painful manifestations, and requires treatment.

Causes of depression

The causes of depression are not fully understood. The occurrence of depression becomes more likely if a person has been affected by a number of factors, which include adverse heredity, side effects of certain drugs, innate characteristics (for example, introversion - a person's focus on oneself) and emotionally traumatic events, especially the loss of loved ones.

The causes of depression are varied:

Depression may also appear or worsen without any apparent cause. Such depression is called endogenous. These differences, however, are not very important, since the symptoms and treatments for these types of depression are similar.

Men and women

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, although the reasons for this are not entirely clear. Psychological research shows that women often respond to a traumatic situation by withdrawing into themselves and blaming themselves.

On the contrary, men tend to deny the traumatic situation and get distracted by some activity.

Hormonal changes

Of the biological factors in most cases, hormones play the main role. Changes in hormone levels that contribute to mood changes before menstruation (premenstrual syndrome) and after childbirth sometimes play a role in women's depression (eg, postpartum depression).

Similar hormonal changes can occur in women as a result of the use of oral (taken by mouth) contraceptives (birth control).

Thyroid dysfunction, which is quite common in women, is also a common cause of depression.

traumatic event

Depression that develops after a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, is called reactive depression. For some people, a temporary state of depression occurs as a reaction to certain holidays or significant anniversaries, such as the anniversary of the death of a loved one.

Side effects of drugs

Various medications, especially those used to treat high blood pressure, can cause depression. For unknown reasons, corticosteroids (hormones) often cause depression when they are produced in large quantities as a result of an illness (such as Cushing's syndrome). However, these hormones elevate mood when given as a medication.

Diseases

Depression also occurs with some somatic diseases. These disorders can cause depression either directly (eg, when thyroid disease is accompanied by changes in hormone levels that contribute to depression) or indirectly (eg, when the pain and functional impairment associated with rheumatoid arthritis leads to depression).

Often depression, which is a consequence of a physical illness, has both direct and indirect causes. For example, AIDS can cause depression directly if the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages the brain; at the same time, AIDS can also indirectly contribute to depression, when a person realizes the severity of his condition, changes in relationships with others and an unfavorable prognosis for the course of the disease.

A number of psychiatric disorders predispose to depression, including:

• neuroses;
• alcoholism;
• many forms of substance abuse;
• schizophrenia;
• early phase of dementia.

Depression can be a symptom of the following conditions:

Symptoms of depression

Depression is a common mental disorder in our time, which is based on a syndrome, in the classic version characterized by a triad of symptoms:

Psychological symptoms of depression

• persistent bad mood or feeling sad;
• feeling of hopelessness and helplessness;
• low self-esteem;
• tearfulness;
• constant feeling of guilt;
• difficulty in making decisions;
• lack of pleasure from life;
• feeling of restlessness and excitement.

Besides:

Physical symptoms of depression

• slowing down of movements and speech;
• changes in appetite or weight;
• constipation;
• unexplained pain;
• lack of interest in sex;
• change in the menstrual cycle;
• sleep disorders.

Social symptoms of depression

• decrease in working capacity;
• rare participation in public life;
• desire to avoid contact with friends;
• neglect of hobbies and interests;
• difficulties at home and in family life.

Types and forms of depression

In domestic psychiatry, the following main types of depression are distinguished.

neurotic depression

Neurotic depression is characteristic of a separate category of people who are characterized by indecision in making decisions at certain moments, uncompromisingness, combined with uncertainty, straightforwardness.

The disorder begins with the emergence of ideas about an unfair attitude towards one's personality, its underestimation, on the part of others, management, relatives, with a decrease in mood, an increase in tearfulness.

It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• General weakness
• Difficulty falling asleep
• broken state
• constipation
• morning headaches
• Anxious awakening
• Low blood pressure
• Lack of sexual desire.

Psychogenic depression

Psychogenic disorder is typical for people who find themselves in conditions of loss of vital values ​​for them. It can be divorce, death, dismissal from work, etc.). The state of the diseased is characterized by mood swings and excessively hypersensitivity.

The disease develops rapidly, over a short period of time. During this period, there is a clear fixation on the loss, the appearance of anxiety, concern for one's fate, the life of loved ones, an increase in internal tension.

Patients complain of thought retardation, melancholy, negatively assess life prospects, speak out about their own insignificance, point only to pessimistic facts in their memories of the past.

The only way out of this painful situation is seen only in suicide. Persons with pronounced features of the hysteroid type are characterized by increased irritability and a tendency to whims. Attempts to leave life for them are due only to demonstrative behavior.

postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is common in young women. It develops two weeks after birth. The birth of a baby is a critical period in the life of any woman, so the body of a woman in labor is very vulnerable.

The causes of such depressive disorders are drastic hormonal changes against the background of increased responsibility for the child and the mentality of a young mother (depression before childbirth increases the chance of relapse).

Symptoms:

• emotional instability;
• increased fatigue;
• sleep disorders;
• increased anxiety;
• feeling of rejection of the child.

Somatogenic depression

A somatogenic disorder provokes a bodily disease, for example, a brain tumor, an enlarged thyroid gland, fibroids, etc. In such cases, depression is secondary and disappears after recovery from the underlying disease.

Circular depression

Circular depression is characterized by daily, seasonal mood swings. The sick look at the world as if through a glass, describing the surrounding reality as uninteresting, "dim". They are characterized by early awakening and the inability to continue sleep, thoughts about their worthlessness and futility of life make them “grind” them for a long time lying in bed.

How to get out of depression yourself

First of all, you need to understand that feelings of emptiness, worthlessness and despair are symptoms of a disease that do not correspond to the real state of affairs.

Even if it is difficult and seems pointless, try:

Treatment for depression

Despite popular belief, even the most severe types of depression can be successfully treated. The main thing is to realize the existence of problems and turn to specialists.

Treatment for depression includes psychotherapy and the appointment of special medications - antidepressants. The involvement of family and friends, as well as self-help, can help in the treatment of depression.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be used as the sole treatment for depression (for milder forms of the disease) or in combination with medication. In the treatment of depression, 2 main types of psychotherapy are used:

• cognitive behavioral;
• interpersonal psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy was developed specifically for the treatment of depression and is effective at almost any age and with any form of depressive disorder.

The main goal of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is to restore distorted ideas about yourself, the world around you, and the future. During the treatment, you will be shown new ways of thinking and perceiving reality. Changing behavior and habits will also help get rid of depression. The duration of such therapy is 6-12 months.

Interpersonal (interpersonal) psychotherapy focuses on existing problems, perceptual errors, difficulties in the interaction of a person with depression and the people around him. This type of psychotherapy is highly effective in treating depression, especially in adolescents and young adults.

Antidepressants

In the treatment of various types of depression, antidepressants are used, which restore the optimal balance of biologically active substances and normal brain function, helping to cope with depression. The success of drug treatment of depression largely depends on the patient himself.

It was noted that almost any antidepressant has a good effect and helps to eliminate depression, and treatment failures are mainly due to the patient's unwillingness to comply with the drug regimen recommended by the doctor, interruptions in treatment, refusal to continue taking pills until the end of the full course of treatment, etc. d.

If within 4-6 weeks after you start taking the medicine you do not feel a positive effect, or you have side effects, contact your doctor. Perhaps the doctor will change the medicine.

If, while taking the medication, you noted an improvement in well-being and the disappearance of symptoms of depression, you should not stop taking the medication yourself. Contact your doctor and together with him think over a plan for your further actions.

In the treatment of the first episode of depression, the antidepressant is continued for at least 4 months, with repeated episodes of depression, treatment can be more than a year.

Questions and answers on the topic "Depression"

Question:Hello. I am 37 years old. I have two small children. Please tell me how can I solve my problem. I've been sick for 8 months now. After changing jobs, something happened to my head. The doctor diagnosed a major depressive episode. I constantly think about the same thing, that I will be left without a job, because I can’t work at all. The mood is always bad, you don’t want to do anything, nothing makes you happy. Constant tension in the body and thoughts about the same thing do not go away, I cannot relax and live in peace and raise children. I still regret all the time that I changed jobs and did not return when I had the opportunity. Tell me, please, do they give disability with such a disease or will my working capacity return with time?

Answer: Hello. Disability can be given if the depressive syndrome passes against the background of some serious illness. You need to regularly visit your doctor, try to follow all his recommendations, take prescribed medications, and over time everything will work out.

Question:Hello. I have hidden depression, I take antidepressants, bodily ailments are gone. And what about the depression itself, i.e. bad mood, it will inevitably come? Thank you.

Answer: Antidepressants have a complex effect. However, even taking such drugs, try to improve your mood on your own. Walking in the fresh air, chatting with friends, doing your favorite sport in your free time will help.

Question:My mother is 50 years old. The climax has begun. And she felt that she did not want to live. I often began to have a severe headache, goosebumps, aching face, burning sensation both in the head and in the whole body, insomnia, throwing me into a fever, then into a cold, dizziness, fear attacks, afraid of being alone at home. Then thoughts about death appeared, that life has been lived, nothing interests me. When it becomes easier, he tries to do something to distract himself from these thoughts, but to no avail. Please tell me how to treat my mother.

Answer: In this case, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist for a personal consultation - perhaps hormonal correction would reduce psycho-emotional and vegetative symptoms. However, the treatment in this case is selected by the method of trials under the supervision of the attending gynecologist.

Question:I'm 21. I'm in a creepy mood. Over the years, very often there have been influxes of bad mood, when I don’t want anything, but only think about quitting everything, in particular work, I don’t want to leave the house, I especially don’t want and can’t see people. When I didn’t work at all, I didn’t leave the house for a month, I could sit in front of tv and even not go to the store. And constantly crying, and also a constant feeling of anxiety that almost never leaves me, and therefore I often think about the meaning of life and do not see it, and have already thought more than once about how to end it. I do not know what to do? I am depressed? If yes, what is my treatment? Can I buy antidepressants without a prescription? Help with something?

Answer: In your condition, you need to consult a psychologist, it is recommended to conduct several courses of psychotherapy, you need to take antidepressants, but you can only buy these drugs by prescription, so it is extremely necessary to consult a doctor. You are still too young, you still have your whole life ahead of you, and the main meaning of life for you is to give birth to a child, because a woman was created for this. Do not deprive yourself of the opportunity to become a mother and receive the boundless love of your child.

Question:Hello. Do serotonin preparations such as serotonin adipate or Fine 100 help with biological depression (when you can't get up)? Thank you.

Answer: The drug Serotonin adipinate is not used to treat depressive conditions, but Fine 100 can be used as a dietary supplement, for general disorders, mood depression, and depression.

Question:Can depression be treated without medication?

Answer: Yes it is possible. There is a therapy that works well for depression. Various forms of counseling (psychotherapy) are well suited to treat depression. The depression treatment program is selected individually for each patient. You can work both individually and in groups.

The nature of depression is only partially known to science. There are several theories that consider biological, cognitive or somatic factors. To understand the essence of this problem and develop a method of treatment, one can try to separate depression in its independent form from a similar condition caused by a specific cause. In many ways, the methods of treating depression and their effectiveness depend on this.

• Sad, bad soul bleeds, but for no apparent reason. And it happens in such a way that a person changes - loses social ties, performance, even outwardly.

• sad, bad because the doctors found quite physical disease, and it is difficult to treat or not at all.

Of course, psychotherapy is necessary in both cases, but it must take into account the factors found.

Psychotherapy can help treat depression

Psychology is interesting because it is scientific in terms of a kind of legalization of mysticism, religion, magic and yoga. In science, depression is called a mental disorder. In mysticism and the occult, religion definitions can be more symbolic. For example, being possessed by an evil spirit. We can agree that this is the same thing, only expressed in different words. Diagnostics is based on the identification of the triad:

• impaired thinking;
• distortion of perception;
• loss of vitality.

Often people understand depression as something that is associated with only one of the manifestations.. It became sad that, in general, it is nothing and has nothing to do with psychotherapy or psychiatry. A person is trying to get out of this state and proves to himself, relatives and specialists that he has depression. It does not arise from this, but the confusion of thinking can be traced quite obviously.

Official medicine understands all these intricacies mainly with one goal - to establish the need for drug treatment and create the correct scheme. Depression may have so-called physical factors, and this is a huge list of physical diseases, which includes:

• stroke;
• stomach ulcer;
• even the flu.

Therefore, the words about complex treatment have a special meaning.. Iatrogenic and somatic causes still make depression a consequence of something that simplifies the task. In order to understand how to cure depression of this type, it is sometimes enough to identify its original cause. The task is not always simplified, but it is already possible to reason in terms of causes and effects. Much more incomprehensible and serious is endogenous depression, the causes of which lie in the depths of the psyche. What do they do in this case? How is this type of depression treated?

Sometimes depression has physiological causes

official medicine

Diagnostics is carried out aimed at establishing the presence of formal signs. After that, medication and psychotherapeutic treatment, social rehabilitation are prescribed. If other diseases are detected during the diagnosis, the patient is referred to the appropriate specialists. A general correction of behavior and lifestyle changes are needed. It makes no sense to use antidepressant treatment for depression and at the same time be in stressful situations or drink alcohol in unreasonable proportions.

Can depression be permanently cured?? The opinion of psychiatrists is most often positive, but with the only caveat that the patient is aware of his illness and completes the course. Treating depression in a hospital is more effective because the patient is always supervised. The same can be said about boarding houses, for example, Altai resorts, where treatment for depression can be just as useful.

Inpatient treatment for depression is mainly based on the use of tricyclic antidepressants. They can be very effective due to the fact that they affect different parts of the neurotransmitter system. The first result occurs after 5-7 days of treatment, and its development should occur within a month. Almost all drugs of this type also have side effects. This limits their use and scares patients. Therefore, some drugs are prescribed at first in small doses that increase gradually, which makes finding the answer to the question of how to treat depression in each case a rather long process.

Religion and mysticism

All kinds of religious beliefs agree that the source of any psychological discomfort is human sins. The way to get rid of them is confession, prayers and meditations, which are aimed at clearing the mind of negative impressions. This can be achieved only by turning the mind towards goodness.. In Orthodoxy, this is given by intelligent prayer and silence.

Prayer Helps Overcome Depression

The answer to the question of how to cure depression on your own may seem contradictory.

• On the one hand, both official medicine and religion say that the help of a specialist is needed.
• On the other hand, no specialist will do instead of the patient what the person himself should do: give up bad habits, rebuild his world and even the daily routine.

Next, we will consider a very specific set of measures that simply cannot but help. Everyone decides whether to use this approach or not. The technique may seem too simple. The fact is that she does not deny the possibility of something else - visiting a psychotherapist, taking drugs, confessing in a church or Buddhist meditation. However, the system of actions itself will be outlined in such a way as to bring certain fruits in the most critical case and at the same time to almost everyone - those who are potential yogis or materialists. Let's try to understand how to get rid of depression at home.

All work is divided into three stages that you need to go through, and then make your choice - to send the feet to the priest or to the doctor.

Let everything be as it is!

We start treating depression on our own. It is very bad, the soul bleeds, working capacity is lost. Alcohol no longer helps, and reading books does not work. A couple of paragraphs and thoughts go away from the point. Nothing pleases, and the most pleasant and serene day brings melancholy. You don't have to try to fight it.

If a person is lonely, then surely his home is a mess. If someone takes the responsibility of putting things in order on himself, then at least in his room a few things will be thrown in the wrong place.

Men get stubble, while women have a not-quite-artistic mess on their heads. You don't have to touch it. You need to look at this ... Such looking will not bring any pleasure. But on the other hand, it is not immediately written that one should cast some kind of spells or hypnotize oneself with the sight of unwashed dishes. Just look around you ... Sloppiness is not a sentence! It's okay ... Let's examine everything around.

What do we actually see?

Our inner world is certainly projected in some way around. A writer or artist also has a mess, but it is related to their creative process. If we thought about how to deal with depression at home, then everything that surrounds us in these conditions is our world. It is enough to approach and look at yourself in the mirror, as it becomes clear that this view is part of the general mess. It is reflected in the decor of the rooms, clothes and continues inside the consciousness.

Everything that surrounds us is our world

We look at any factor of neglect - let it not be a watered flower or an abandoned pet, an abandoned shirt, crumpled pants. We look at all this and understand that all things are symbols of our consciousness. This is not an unwashed plate in the refrigerator with scraps of food, but our thoughts are reflected in our actions or their absence. All this is no different from internal discomfort.

In general, it is possible to restore order in the apartment even if there are the most severe signs of depression. You can put things in order in your own thoughts. However, there is always something stopping us. This is something elusive and incomprehensible, which could be called a factor of chaos.

We look around us not just like that, but understanding the symbolism of this state of things. Each fact of disorder in the rooms is correlated with our inner world, our experiences.

Treatment of the environment

Anyone can sweep the floors and wash the dishes. We set ourselves a super-task. We will clean up the rooms and constantly be aware that we are putting it in our psyche. Vacuumed the carpet - this is getting rid of vindictiveness, put the clothes in the closet - put in place the awareness of one's role in this world. Such cleaning should be done slowly. A constant reminder to yourself that what is broken and scattered can be picked up and repaired inside and out.

Tidy your house before you tidy your soul

The process can take several days and there is nothing to worry about. All this must be done without haste. The best answer to the question of how to cure advanced depression at home contains the two key concepts of "slowly" and "by changing the conditions themselves." If you do not do this, but immediately start with the methods of classical psychiatric care, then they can either give a very modest return, or they will have absolutely no effect.

soul healer

The cure for depression at home can be in ordinary water, in a banal shower, which we will make unusual. We use for this the same power that we already know from cleaning the home - this is the power of imagination. We take a shower and imagine that water passes through us and washes away all negative emotions and experiences. It passes through the head, washes the nervous system, heart, abdomen and limbs. It is not necessary to try very hard to build such a picture in the mind - it is enough to be aware of it.

Persistent walk

As you can see, nothing beyond the bounds of the possible was proposed. It should not be assumed that it is now known what it is like to treat depression without antidepressants. Cleaned up, showered. It's time to come out into the light. If this is not done, then it will not be possible to reach a psychotherapist or a priest, do fitness or yoga.

Panic attacks are one of the companions of depression. which are often expressed in agoraphobia. Then a person not only surrounds himself with an aura of negative emotions and loss of strength, but in the most direct sense he cannot leave the house. Behind all this, there will certainly be some somatic causes - dizziness, trembling in the limbs, palpitations or asthma attacks. As if there is not enough air or it is impossible to take a full breath. Panic attacks, which are almost always treated with medication, most often have hidden psychological and physical causes. The cardiac arrhythmia that occurs at the time of the attack or some other ailments actually occur. It doesn't feel like the heart suddenly starts beating faster, but it actually does. Therefore, the doctor should give the answer to the question of how to cope with panic attacks with medication.

Consideration of fear in its own manifestation will show that at some point it was very necessary, and the physical reaction is the body's response to very real problems. For example, the fear of leaving the home can be formed by the fact that a person subconsciously fears his own behavior. He is afraid to buy a pack of cigarettes that will not bring any benefit, alcohol or some kind of social conflict. However, this is not explicitly recognized. Therefore, fear must be removed, but after understanding what we ourselves wanted to say to ourselves.

So, a person leaves the house, walks a few steps and comes back in a panic. Didn't the walk go well? Why? After all, several steps have been taken. We rest for a while and go out to do more. For example, it was possible to pass only 20 steps. You need to sit at home, shut up and go out to make 30. The main thing is to set realistic goals every time. Already for the second or third time, the distance will be increased to a kilometer, and then to two.

Walking helps fight depression

All this time you need to send inward the question of what you are afraid of. Not streets, not people, not dogs… This is something completely internal. The answer will come unexpectedly and will be simple. After that, you can imagine fear in some form, thank you for trying to protect from something and ask you not to interfere anymore. If a person is seized by panic neurosis, how to cope? It is necessary to simplify the problem until the moment when it turns out to be solvable. For example, if panic attacks cover in stores, then you need to strive there, but stay until the situation is under control.

This is all just the beginning…

We learned how to relieve depression at home. Now it will certainly seem to you that everything is somehow too primitive. Well, how? We are so used to considering our problems as something grandiose, we ask for attention to ourselves, we think about our exclusivity. And so we need a problem-solving environment. If it were written here about the miraculous prayer of a certain old man or about a special meditative technique that Egyptologists have recently deciphered, then it would be more interesting, and a reference to the statements of professors and academicians would give the text a special significance.

• Firstly, the technique was created only in order to be able to begin inner work. It will be held under the guidance of a guru, a psychotherapist, a priest - it depends on the patient himself.
• Second, everything will come back and re-emerge. Depression will touch more than once, and then panic fear will seize.

For this reason, you need to understand that antidepressants will help the inner work. In order to do something, you need to have a base for this, and what kind of prayers or meditations can there be if the perception of reality is distorted and there is no strength to perform the most ordinary routine things? There is no need to refuse them and look for an answer to the question of whether depression can be cured without antidepressants. It is possible, but why, if it is easier with medicines? You should not believe only those who offer to drink motherwort. Everything is somewhat more serious ... However, the role of medicines is auxiliary, and not the main one. Unfortunately, side effects greatly spoil the picture. Therefore, we still think about how to cure depression without antidepressants.

The methods that give a positive result will be listed below. It is possible that their choice will seem strange. The list is not exhaustive. If something else helps someone, then you should only rejoice for him.

Mantras

Saying aloud or silently the Gayatri mantra will help.. It is dedicated to God Savitar. Unlike some mantras, it has a very specific meaning. The words say that we meditate on the glory of the one who created this universe and express confidence that he will enlighten our mind.

oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tat savitur vareṇ(i)yaṃ

bhargo devasya dhīmahi

Another special mantra "So-Ham" is very good. It is pronounced mentally in such a way that when you inhale you hear the sound “So”, and when you exhale “Ham”. Ideal for work before bed.

Chanting the mantra out loud lifts the mood

Both of these mantras are of great importance in Hinduism, but are completely universal and suitable for all people. A good answer to the question of how to cure depression at home.

Nidra yoga

A person who can do it regularly will understand that the answer to the question of whether depression can be cured is forever positive. Not everyone, however, will do it. The practice is simple. You need to find a sound file or ask someone to read the text and record the voice. Your own will not work - it will cause a negative effect of self-hypnosis.

The adept lies on his back, in the shavasana position, and begins to do what the voice says. First, you will need to focus on certain parts of the body, then on breathing, after that - visualization. The practice begins and ends with sankalpa. This is the formula of firm determination. We can say that this is a desire, but in the form of a clear and confident declaration that something will happen. If the aspiration is connected with the victory over psychological problems, then they will disappear.

The system was developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in the middle of the 20th century. During its existence, it has helped tens of thousands of people.

General principles

The above practices are quite enough to remember in 10-15 days with surprise that the question of how to treat depression was once a topical issue. Now it's time to talk about general principles. It was not necessary to start with them due to the fact that they can be perceived as remote from practical application.

Any psychological problem is a hidden form of grace. Therefore, the appearance of discomfort should be rejoiced. Not because of psychological masochism. By correcting something in our minds, we get the opportunity to look at the world with different eyes. Therefore, it is important to understand that while working on finding an answer to the question of how to treat depression on our own, we voluntarily or involuntarily work on self-improvement.

Orthodoxy uses methods for this that seem general and abstract. For example, the direction of the mind to God, confessions and prayers. And it is perceived as speeches about nothing. Few people can believe that the prayer “Lord, have mercy” is stronger than words that look like some kind of spell, with the repetition that sorrows and sorrows will go away, and light will fill the face of the paralyzed.

However, behind this simplicity and strength ...

Try to enjoy life!

You can visualize your fear or look for ways to treat depression at home with folk remedies, with conspiracies and the use of some kind of tinctures. If you do all this correctly, then some kind of effect will certainly arise. Only much more can be obtained with the help of Orthodox silence or Buddhist meditation.

More about self-healing

Separately, we should consider situations when people try to help themselves, but by this they mean only the use of some drugs that they prescribe on their own. At the same time, they are not specialists, so often the answer to the question of what depression is and home treatment is distorted.

• Firstly, many confuse tranquilizers, antidepressants and sedatives. At the same time, they see antidepressants as harmful, and preference is given to those medicines that are created on herbs. These often include "Novopasit", which for some reason is considered a "natural antidepressant." In fact, it contains a sedative that has nothing to do with herbs. And the drug itself is more of a tranquilizer. He is able to calm, but a full-fledged treatment of depression will not work.
• Secondly, many believe that they can stop taking drugs at any time. No! This should be done carefully, gradually reducing the dose under the supervision of a physician. The answer to the question of how to cure depression on your own at home, ideally, should not contain any mention of drugs at all. Remedies for depression at home are prayers, meditation, breathing exercises, listening to music, yoga classes. The rest can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Believers in God have an undeniable advantage. They can admit their powerlessness and turn to the Creator with a request for healing. The answer to the question of where to treat depression for them is obvious - in the Church, which in the tradition of Orthodoxy can be represented as a large universal psychological clinic.

Main questions

Can depression be completely cured?

Yes, but it turns out only for those who find their own way to change the body and spirit for the better. Treatment of depression by a neurologist or psychotherapist is impossible without the active participation of the patient himself.

Get rid of depression - it is quite possible

How to treat depression without antidepressants?

First you need to understand that this should be done only if there is a serious individual intolerance to all drugs. This is extremely rare. It should be treated with the help of yoga, prayers, meditations, art therapy and similar methods. You should not hope that only the treatment of depression with music or only a couple of sessions of hypnosis will help. You should develop your own individual complex and include in it those methods that suit you personally.

Is there free treatment for depression?

Of course, you can start it with a visit to the office of a psychotherapist or neurologist in a regular clinic at the place of residence. Most often, the result will be the same as in a paid hospital. You will only have to spend money on medicines.

How does a neurologist treat depression?

With correct diagnosis. If the cause of depression is in some other disease, then it is necessary to identify and treat it. Work with depression occurs in parallel. It is possible that someone will need treatment for depression, neurosis and other diseases at the same time.

How long does it take to treat depression, neurosis, panic attacks?

Everything depends on the situation. Usually the patient's stay in the clinic lasts about a month, and then you need to take medication and constantly visit a psychotherapist or neurologist for 3-4 months. In order to correctly answer the question of how to treat depression at home, you need expert advice and the use of proven methods. About the same as described in this article.

Even advanced depression can be cured

How to cure advanced depression?

These don't happen. There are heavy, medium and light forms. But a severe form, which requires treatment of depression by a neurologist in a hospital, can occur immediately. The duration of the course of the disease before the start of treatment does not play any role.. The main thing is not to look for an answer to the question of how to cure depression launched at home on your own. If it lasted a long time, then other deviations and diseases probably occurred, so you need to contact a specialist.