How to get out of depression? Why depression is terrible: causes, ways to combat it and recommendations from psychologists

Depressive illnesses have been the most common over the past few years mental pathology. There are approximately 100 million new cases of depression every year. Emotional depression, a feeling of loneliness in a crowd and a feeling of the meaninglessness of existence - this is how this condition can be described in general terms. Only a specialist can tell you how to get out of depression, especially if the condition has dragged on and prevents a person from living a full life.

Depression – mental disorder accompanied by emotional depression, inability to enjoy life, decreased motor activity and thinking disorders.

A person in a state of depression experiences fatigue and sadness, loses interest in everything that is happening. The disease negatively affects the socialization of the individual: the patient avoids communication, his performance decreases, the usual course of life is disrupted, the future seems unpromising and gloomy.

Besides psychological signs, the condition may lead to physiological deterioration with signs of cardiovascular disorders, dizziness and headaches. The main danger that depression entails are suicidal tendencies. According to statistics, about 15% of depressed patients commit suicide. Therefore, it is so important to treat depressed people with understanding, and not to consider the disorder as a manifestation of selfishness, laziness and pessimism.

Depression affects women and older people in 70% of cases.

Leading causes of the condition

The causes of the violation are combined. The combination of several provoking factors at once leads to the occurrence of a disorder varying degrees expressiveness.

Most experts associate depression with the peculiarities of life in modern society:

fast rhythm of life;
constant stress;
high population density and lack of long-term contact with nature;
lack of physical activity and physical inactivity;
heavy psychological trauma due to loss loved one, experienced shocks, conflicts, etc.;
seasonal factors, lack of sunlight;
abuse of alcohol and certain types of medications;
psychological and physical exhaustion;
hereditary predisposition;
unfavorable social environment – lack of support and meaning in life;
endogenous disorders of the central nervous system - bipolar disorders, Alzheimer's disease, manic-depressive psychosis, atherosclerosis, traumatic brain injury, etc.

Probability of occurrence depressive state increases with hormonal changes in the body: puberty, menopause. Postpartum depression, associated with hormonal fluctuations, exhaustion of the body and the new responsibilities of a young mother, has become highly prevalent.

Russian psychiatry distinguishes two large groups of depressive states: simple (minor) depression and complex (major) depression.

To the group simple states The following types of depression include:

adynamic with physical and emotional inhibition;
agitated – accompanied by an anxious state, increased excitement, feelings of guilt and fear;
dysphoric – chronic dissatisfaction with outbreaks of irritability;
ironic - deliberate demonstration Have a good mood and concealment of the true oppressed state;
stuporous – motor inhibition, which can reach complete immobility;
anxious - a persistent feeling of danger, anxiety, anxiety, depression;
melancholic – increased tearfulness, deep depression, severe “mental pain”, accompanied by pain in the heart area.

The group of complex depression includes syndromes with a variety of symptoms and disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system:

asthenic – disturbance of emotionality, inability to express feelings;
hysterical - violent manifestation of emotions, exaggerated attitude towards all events;
hypochondriacal – development of overvalued ideas combined with delusions;
psychasthenic - manifests itself in complete inhibition, indecision, timidity.

There is a protracted form of depression, the signs of which can be observed for 2-2.5 years.

One of the varieties is alcoholic depression, which develops against the background of alcohol withdrawal or coding.

Signs of Depression

Regardless of the form, the disease covers several vital areas. It is the combination of several symptoms that allows doctors to make a depressive diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Depression is characterized by an individual course - the signs of the disorder in different patients may be of the opposite nature (from insomnia to drowsiness, from overeating to complete failure from food). The causes of the disease and the psychological characteristics of the patient will determine how to get out of depression.

Emotional symptoms

Emotional disturbances are the most striking and typical manifestation of a mental disorder. TO emotional signs relate:

melancholy, despair, depression;
mood swings;
anxiety and a persistent feeling of fear;
irritability for no apparent reason;
decreased interest in life;
low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with oneself and one’s life;
loss of interest in favorite activities;
difficulties in expressing feelings and emotions.

Physiological symptoms

This symptomatology is associated with somatic manifestations - the patient complains of deterioration in health, and signs of other pathologies arise.

The most common complaints are:

sleep problems;
loss of appetite or an insatiable desire to consume food;
disorders of the stomach and intestines;
decreased or absent sexual desire;
weakness and fatigue;
pain in the heart, joints, muscle pain.

Behavioral changes

A patient suffering from depression changes his usual behavior:

becomes passive;
afraid of public events and large crowds of people;
strives for loneliness and refuses communication;
loses interest in previously familiar surroundings, friends, family, relatives;
refuses entertainment.

Patients with depression may exhibit pathological attachment to alcoholic drinks, which is fraught with the development of alcoholism.

Cognitive disorders

Cognitive disorders are associated with disturbances in thought processes and difficulties in obtaining and processing information.

How does this manifest in the patient:

cannot concentrate on the simplest task;
afraid to make decisions;
becomes inattentive;
often thinks about death and has suicidal conversations;
unable to show a sense of humor, joke or laugh;
thinks only in a pessimistic way.

All symptoms as a whole can progress if measures are not taken to combat the disorder. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary that a set of signs or individual symptoms lasted for more than two weeks.

Symptoms of depression are generally similar in both sexes. However, there are differences in the course of male and female depression associated with physiological and psychological gender characteristics.

Depression in women is characterized by seasonality and a protracted tendency. Signs most often appear in autumn and winter, accompanied by a change eating behavior. In addition to low mood, women complain of vegetative symptoms - pain in the stomach and intestines, discomfort in the heart area.

Of the psychological signs, the most pronounced are constant worries about one’s fate and loved ones, anxiety, fear of failure, fatigue, and permanent tension.

However, getting out of depression is less difficult for women than for men. Representatives of the weak are more attentive to own health and seek medical help in a timely manner.

The hormone testosterone protects men from depression, so the stronger sex suffers from depression three times less often. The insidiousness of male depression lies in the fact that patients are not inclined to notice the signs of the disease, preferring to treat themselves with cigarettes and alcohol. They do not accept traditional treatment for psychological problems, consider depression a sign of weakness and do not rush to see a doctor.

Signs of male depression include increased fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work and favorite activities, and sleep disturbances.

Feelings of guilt, anxiety, suspiciousness, apathy, and derogatory behavior are not typical for male depression.

How to get out of depression on your own? If the disease appears in a short-term, minor form, you can use a simple psychotherapeutic approach that is accessible to everyone. To successfully get rid of the disorder, it is necessary to clearly understand the cause of its occurrence and take self-medication with full responsibility.

Take responsibility and decide to change at a deep level.
Use affirmations - short affirmative phrases with a positive attitude.
Avoid solitude and strive for contact with others.
Do not refuse the help of friends and loved ones, do not withdraw into yourself.
Turn to spiritual food - the works of philosophers and writers, life-affirming films.
Completely eliminate alcohol, nicotine and psychoactive substances.
Change your daily routine and regulate your sleep.
Exercise.
Show love to loved ones, strive to bring them joy and selflessly help.
Attend exciting events, take up a new hobby, or return to old interests.

If depression is associated with severe trauma, serious violations functions of the central nervous system, you need to contact a highly specialized specialist - a psychotherapist. Gives a good healing effect A complex approach: a combination of medications, psychotherapy, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises.

The main pharmacological drugs to combat depression are antidepressants. They stimulate the body to produce nerve impulses, responsible for mood, behavior and activity.

Treatment of depression is carried out with drugs of four generations.

Tricyclic drugs - Amitriptyline, Imipramine. They are used only for severe forms in a hospital setting.
Second generation drugs - Befol, Pyrazidol. They have a calming effect, but will not help cope with severe depressive disorders.
Third generation drugs - Citalopram, Fluoxetine. Activate the production of the happiness hormone serotonin, successfully stop panic attacks and phobias.
Fourth generation antidepressants – Duloxetine, Milnacipran. They have a selective effect on serotonin and norepinephrine, without blocking the functions of other neurotransmitters.

In severe cases, antidepressants are combined with tranquilizers, antipsychotics and nootropics. Tranquilizers are effective for anxiety, they calm and help fight fears. Neuroleptics are used in suicidal patients, with severe depression crazy ideas. Nootropics have stimulating properties, restore the functioning of the nervous system, help in the fight against nervous exhaustion, apathy, lethargy and increased fatigue.

Any medication for treating depression is available only with a doctor's prescription!

Psychotherapeutic practices

Psychotherapy for depression involves the use of certain methods of psychocorrection depending on the pathogenesis and form of the disease. Therapy is aimed at teaching the patient to independently cope with depressive symptoms, solve important life issues, control emotions and conditions that inevitably lead to depression.

The following types of psychotherapy are recognized as the most effective:

cognitive-behavioral – aimed at correcting behavioral errors that lead to depressive disorder;
interpersonal – helps to form healthy relationships between the patient and people around him;
psychodynamic – aimed at searching internal conflict underlying the pathology.

Aromatherapy, art therapy, bibliotherapy, methods of self-hypnosis and hypnosis are also used to combat depression.

Prevention of depression

At the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to take decisive measures so that the emotional state does not worsen. In the off-season, the room should have a lot of light and a large number of lighting fixtures. They will help frequent walks in the fresh air, daily gymnastics and feasible sports activities.

Able to keep body and spirit in good shape restoratives– rosehip decoction, herbal tea, ginger, medicinal balms. You should saturate your life with healthy positive emotions as much as possible - do your favorite things, watch good films and pamper yourself with pleasant purchases.

A positive outlook on life, bright plans for the future, good friends and interesting meetings– all this will help improve your mood and leave no chance for depression.

Conclusion

Depression is not just blues and bad mood. This is a serious disease that leads to dangerous disorders at the physiological level. Only a qualified doctor will tell you how to get out of depression, help you find the meaning of life and take a fresh look at the world.

Hello, I am Nadezhda Plotnikova. Having successfully completed her studies at SUSU as a specialized psychologist, she devoted several years to working with children with developmental problems and consulting parents on issues of raising children. I use the experience gained, among other things, in creating articles of a psychological nature. Of course, I in no way claim to be the ultimate truth, but I hope that my articles will help dear readers deal with any difficulties.

Depression is a mental condition that overwhelms our lives, prevents us from being ourselves and is experienced by a number of characteristic symptoms.

Various manifestations of depression:

low mood;
a person feels internal pain in the body;
the brain cannot formulate your thoughts properly;
one thought can take possession of a person and become deeply rooted in the head, creating anxiety and concern;
a person cannot, as before, understand people’s hints and what they want to convey to him;
a person does not feel the emotions of other people;
isolation;
constant pessimism;
apathy and loss of meaning in life;
distrust of people, willingness to defend themselves from people;
the person takes everything with hostility and is overly irritable;
feeling that life is over;
suicidal ideation;
avoiding responsibility for oneself and one’s actions even in trivial situations;
indifference to the joys of life;
a person blames himself for everything and engages in self-flagellation.

All these symptoms affect in such a way that a person may even experience digestive problems or headaches.

Reasons for appearance

Causes depression (depending on the level of awareness):

diet;
disrupted routine, sleep deprivation;
your causal and unreasonable expectations;
responsibility;
avoiding problems;
self-flagellation;
negative thinking;
judging others;
trying to change others;
trying to please others;
comparing yourself to others;
distinguishing oneself from others;
attachment to people/things;
dependence on the result;
bad social circle - unconscious people, energy vampires(more about energy vampires);
modeling of future events;
worrying about things that haven't even happened yet;
doing things you don't like.

15 useful realizations

Let's look at 15 tips from psychologists on how to get out of depression on your own.

1. Accept yourself as you are now

No need to avoid poor condition and fight it, it makes you feel even worse.

You struggle and thereby harm yourself and your social skills.

If you resist feeling bad and try to avoid it, it only gets worse.

You must live it!

Depression is normal.

Especially for people who are engaged in self-development, work, do not get enough sleep, for all men and women - this is part of your growth, your path.

And she leaves as quickly as she comes.

Tell yourself: It is what it is. It may be unpleasant, but it’s all temporary and will pass! I'll move on.

And you no longer need any help from a psychologist for depression.

2. Redirect your focus to other activities: for example, work out at the gym

Take a break, redirect your focus from depression to other activities, such as:

physical exercise;
swimming;
Biking;
journey;
Reading books.

Completely and completely immerse yourself in another activity, shift your focus to it.

After a while, the problem that previously haunted you will seem petty and completely undeserving of your attention.

This way you will close your worries about how to get out of depression and believe in yourself.

So effective advice psychologists also share.

3. Cling less to positive emotions, don’t be afraid to lose them

How to realize and implement this:

Don't try to be perfect emotionally. Clinging to positive emotions and trying to hold them back, your internal resistance to reality and what is happening will grow.
When you resist the appearance of bad emotions, you only intensify their appearance.
All people on the planet are chasing emotions, fortune- for what comes and goes and is impermanent. And it is an endless race for what is impermanent.
If you don't tremble so much and are delighted with positive emotions, then it is then that you will suffer less from depression, and you will not be so affected by negative emotions.
When you're at an emotional peak, just enjoy the positive emotions and be aware that this will not last forever.

Realizing this will close your questions about how to get out of prolonged depression on one's own.

4. Go to any social place and talk to new people: share your problem and let them help you

What are the advantages and features of this awareness?:

You don't go there to whine, you go there to let others help you and work with you.
You go there ready to accept other positive emotions from people through you.
You only focus on positive people, but you don’t pay attention to others and don’t see them.
When you allow others to influence you positively, fears, worries and all negative emotions are repressed.

When you invite people into your company and allow them to help you in a positive way, they feel special around you.

Questions about how to help a man, girl, or loved one get out of depression will remain open if the person himself does not want help and does not ask you for it.

You don't have to always rely on friends and helpers, but just be there for them.

Just tell the man: “I have such worries, stress with work, I feel like this. Please advise what I should do in this situation?”

Such psychological help for depression by communicating with loved ones or strangers cleanses you.

Voice those things that worsen your well-being, that irritate you and have accumulated in your head. Let it all come out.

5. Use meditation techniques to strengthen your energy field and immunity

How to perform this technique:

Lie down on your back comfortably, close your eyes.
Focus on your different parts body, on the neck, shoulders, arms, chest, hips, legs. Focus on each area of your body for 15 seconds and feel the energy coming from within.
Now move this wave of energy from the top of your head to your heels and back again. Feel it in your body, take your time.
Now feel your entire body as a whole and sense the energy field.
Keep your focus on this field for a few seconds.

Follow this technique and you will know everything about how to get out of depression yourself. You can learn more about how to meditate correctly.

Pros of this technique:

gaps in your energy field are removed;
there is a feeling of integrity and inner fullness;
you strengthen your immune system, healing occurs.

6. Get enough sleep and spend 8 hours sleeping to get a lot of energy in your body

The benefits of a good 8 hours of sleep:

When you sleep, you replenish your vital energy.
Your internal dialogue is turned off.
In a dream, you no longer have the worries that bother you in reality.
In a dream there is no past and no memory of a bad past, just as there is no future.

To fully replenish your vital energy from sleep, wear a night blindfold. When you're in complete darkness and absolutely nothing shines into the eyes; after sleep, energy appears many times more.

Make sure you close the window with curtains and there are no streetlights shining from the streets.

Why is it important to get enough sleep?:

When you don't sleep enough, your psyche is more fragile.
A person who does not get enough sleep in society will be more influenced by negativity; he will easily lose control over the situation and, above all, over himself.
Thus, it is fixed in the consciousness bad experience, which creates a person’s desire to shut down and avoid this negative experience.
Later this can result in internal pain. Therefore, it is very important to get enough sleep in order to worry less about thoughts about how to help yourself get out of depression.

7. Don't project the future and remove the focus from the past: work with what you have now

When a person focuses on future events, he loses the moment now and is in those mental projections that, most likely, will not even happen.

In addition, due to projection into the future, a gap, an abyss, is created in consciousness.

You can always cope with the present time, but it is impossible to cope with the projections of the mind - just as it is impossible to cope with the future.

It is not for nothing that they say: “we will resolve issues as they arise.”

Always stay in the present moment to close questions about how to get out of deep depression on your own.

8. The key for those who have lost passion for life and see it as meaningless

Many happy people have already realized that life is meaningless.
You are not the only unique person who has come to this. You're not special!
Just happy people made the choice to be happy with one understanding in their heads: “Life is meaningless! Ha ha! Well, okay! Let's continue to have fun and move on!"
Has life become meaningless for you? So do crazy things, reach new heights. You can also read more about passion and motivation in life.
Always have a goal in life, know what you want from life. Otherwise, the universe will not give you energy, because you have no goal and you don’t want to realize anything.
People with big goals always have a lot of passion, energy and motivation.

Don't make yourself a special victim, make a choice to move on and no longer worry about how to get out of depression on your own when you don't have the strength to do anything.

9. Find advantages even in the negative, train your mind to reflexively turn any problem into a joke and fun

Ask yourself: Where are the benefits that I can apply to my situation?

See advantages that seem like hindrances to you at first glance.

Let's look at an example.

I just have a pathetic depression, and someone has no roof over their head and nothing to eat. I live in abundance.
I live in excellent conditions, I have all modern amenities, internet, electricity, hot and cold water. Yes, I am the happiest person.
I have a healthy body, and here I am complaining about life. But there are people without legs, and they are still happy.

Learn to turn any problem into a joke and fun, and thereby you will solve your questions about how to get out of depression on your own as a woman or man.

Everything that you perceive negatively can always be viewed in a positive way. Train your mind to reflexively turn any problem into a joke and fun.

How to implement it

Laugh at yourself.
Learn to laugh at how you screwed up.
Laugh at how you try to play the role of the sufferer.
Learn to find advantages even in negative things.

Implement these realizations and no longer worry about how to quickly get out of depression.

10. Get out of the house more often to get some fresh air.

Why is it important to breathe fresh air? and go outside:

strengthening the immune system;
relaxation and peace for the nerves;
it promotes good sleep;
blood supply becomes better;
metabolism in the body accelerates;
long walks increase appetite;
pores open, positive influence on the skin.

It will be better to take walks than sit motionless in one place.

If your child sits at home a lot, it is not surprising that he always has bad feeling. Remember that he needs to breathe fresh air more often, and no longer ask questions about how to help your daughter or son get out of depression.

11. What the wise Taoists came up with: the state of “not doing”

Imagine this time of your passivity amidst activity: when you were actively doing your business and then you give up on everything. Imagine a state when you don’t want to do anything: you don’t want to meet with friends, you don’t want to go anywhere - neither to work, nor to study.
And you don’t have to get out of this state. If you don’t want to do anything, then you don’t have to do anything. And you no longer need help for depression at home when you simply follow these points.
You are just in this not-doing. You don't try to entertain yourself in this state. For example, there is no need to get stuck into computer games.
You also go to the shower in the morning, sleep normally, go out for a walk somewhere, but it is not doing something intentionally in order to get something.
If in this state you start to do something and feel: “ This is yours and this is the goal that you want to strive for from within.", then you can try.
If you feel squeezed by this, then this is not your option.

This is such an observational hibernation. You fall into this non-doing and just look at yourself. Remember this and know everything about how to get out of severe depression on your own.

12. Do the opposite and opposite of what depression tells you to do.

How to apply this in life

If you woke up and thought, “I’m probably going to stay in bed all day,” then now you’re doing the opposite!
You don't listen to depression, otherwise it will always have power over you.
I encourage you, on the contrary, to call your friends or get out somewhere in nature.
No matter how it sounds and no matter how much you want the opposite, you need to force yourself to get out of the house.
You might have a great time! Who knows? But you will never know unless you challenge your condition. This way, you will no longer worry about it and become apathetic.

Follow these rules and remember them.

By following them, for example, a woman after giving birth will answer questions about how to get out of postpartum depression on her own. Or the man will perk up and find himself.

How it works

If every time depression appears you just obey it, it will become even stronger and worse for you. As you continue to listen to this voice, you will feel worse and worse. Why do you need it?
So start doing positive things so you can be prepared for a positive outcome.!
For example, if you keep doing negative things, it would be foolish to expect a positive result.

Keeping this in mind, you will know everything about how to help a person get out of depression.

13. Never ask others for pity

Are you saying you feel bad? It could have been even worse!

Don't justify yourself and don't feel sorry.

Take action! Dominate!

You don't need psychiatrist help for depression.

Act on your own despite adversity!

Try harder!

Look at it as a journey where you learn to be even stronger than you are now.

14. Do not deny yourself sweets: especially those who have been on a diet before

This especially needs to be done for those who were on a diet and denied themselves everything.

When you're feeling down, there's nothing wrong with indulging in sweets.

Diet negatively affects the condition.

Indulge yourself with goodies and sweets if you feel like it and want to.

In this way, you show care for yourself and provide a contrast to your taste buds.

You feel the taste of life.

If you are thinking about how to help your husband or your wife get out of depression, treat the person with something sweet.

For example, what do I like to treat myself to?:

airy chocolate;
bananas;
yoghurts;
delicious cupcakes;
cakes;
loaf with condensed milk.

15. Suffering is necessary until we realize that we no longer need it.

The situation is that it is people with difficult life circumstances are much more likely to start taking care of themselves.
In the most desperate situations, a person can start searching: searching for oneself and finding meaning in suffering and life. As a rule, it is the deeply doomed people who begin to take care of themselves.
Those who are doing well, most likely, will not want to question their well-being with their own thoughts. “Why ruin something that brings you pleasure?” — appears involuntarily in a person’s mind.
Suffering is necessary because it creates the conditions in which a person can no longer be. Then the person begins to run, move, and look for solutions.
Some open new world, new themselves and change their lives. Some disappear into pleasures and various kinds of addictions.
Nothing helps us grow like suffering and fears.
Suffering is necessary until then until we realize that we no longer need them. Remember this, and you will close your questions about how to get out of depression.

Wise words

Quote from one person.

“Having spent several months almost on the brink of life and death, I remember walking through the streets of the city with a smile on my face and could barely pronounce the words: “I wish you all suffering,” where I meant “I wish you all to realize the true gift that pain and suffering bring us and thus free ourselves from them.”

Subsequently, my attitude towards the hard lives of others became different.

I stopped being afraid of someone suffering.

Understanding the great value that pain, disappointment and suffering brings, I allow a person to experience this and direct him deeper into this suffering (to the source), if I have such an opportunity.

Looking at my life, I can say that I am happy with all the illnesses, shocks, experiences and “failures” that I have had.

They were the ones who helped me the most."

That's all. Now you know everything about how to get out of depression on your own.

It is possible to get out of depression on your own, despite the fact that it is a serious illness. The article describes in detail methods for improving well-being and mood.

When people feel depressed and melancholy, do not see the point in work, lose interest in hobbies, forget about loved ones, they are in no hurry to help themselves. Relatives send you to doctors and scare you with pills. But you can get out of depression on your own. The main thing is to pay attention in time and take care of yourself.

Developing supportive relationships

A depressed person wants to hide under the covers so that no one will bother him. This only makes the problem worse. It will take the energy of others to begin to come out of depression.

Friends and family

Social activity

Force yourself to communicate with strangers. In the store, do not run away from the help of a consultant. Wish have a nice day passers-by. Someone else's smile involuntarily forces us to respond in kind. Even short-term contact with people can lift your spirits.

Take a group lesson:

embroidery circle;
computer design courses;
lectures on psychology, etc.

Attend an entertainment event or concert. Loud music, general excitement, a relaxed atmosphere are conducive to the exchange of emotions.

An active social life is especially beneficial after a divorce. Often a person is afraid that he will not meet anyone, that his best years have passed. The depression caused by divorce will go away if you feel that you can still make friends, communicate and be liked.

Support Group

Look for special clubs in your city. There are groups that help people cope with severe depression.

Fight negative thinking

Think beyond yourself

Analysis of problems, understanding of the reasons - this is important if the “debriefing” is constructive. But sometimes we get stuck in cycles, replaying the same situation in our heads. Thoughts find no peace, the tangle of insoluble contradictions only becomes more tangled, and one gives up.

Abstract from your thoughts and pay attention to those around you:

Find out what's new at work and school. The successes of relatives lift your spirits.
If you know people are having difficulties, show your concern. The problems of others usually seem simpler because they are not so close to us emotionally. In the process of finding a way out of your friend’s difficult situation, you can find a solution for yourself.

Hang out with positive people

During prolonged depression, try not to talk to pessimists. They have nothing to give except a reason to be sad. Eternally sad people who love to complain only cause irritation and do not know how to help.

Find a positive, goal-oriented person. If you don't have one in your area, look it up on the Internet. Happy, successful people often blog. Talk to them. Stories about other people's successes inspire, and enthusiasm is contagious.

Keep a notebook of negative thoughts

In order not to accumulate negative emotions in yourself, start thinking on paper. Select a separate notebook and allow yourself to suffer on its pages.

Write down all your experiences. Having found a way out, thoughts will stop jumping around in circles in your head. You will be able to look at yourself from the outside. The recordings show the reasons for depressed mood better.

After you write down sad thoughts, you can hide the notebook. This way you symbolically distance negative emotions from yourself.

Allow yourself to be less than perfect

Forgive yourself for your mistakes, stupid actions, weaknesses. No ideal people, everyone has troubles. Don't blame yourself.

Acceptance does not mean condoning. Without admitting that you have weaknesses, it is impossible to improve. There is no way to correct what is denied.

Women often suffer from this with postpartum depression, especially young mothers. It can be difficult for them to get used to new responsibilities and learn to take care of a child. They think that they are unlike the women in children's product advertisements. They look for the reason in their negative qualities.

Self-care

Dream

Lack of sleep can make the disease worse. Depression is a state when you have no strength to do anything. If you don't get enough sleep, you have even less energy.

Don't neglect sleep, don't stay too long at work. Take a nap during the day. If you can't fall asleep for a long time, don't overload your brain before bed.

Stop watching TV and reading books. It's better to take it an hour before bedtime hot bath, put fresh linen on the bed.

sunlight

Get up early and go for a walk. Vitamin D, synthesized in the sun, has a positive effect on immune system and improves mood

Typically, a person suffering from depression wants to draw the curtains and shut out the world, which only leads to a darker mood. Try not to miss sunny days, go outside alone or with friends.

Stress control

Isolate yourself from stressful situations:

Relaxation practice

Relaxation is not a simple rest. This is a set of relaxation exercises based on:

deep breathing;
muscle relaxation;
visualization techniques (imagining yourself on a soft cloud, on the seashore).

Choose an exercise and do it for at least half an hour a day. This will help reduce the flow of negative thoughts and get out of deep depression on your own.

Caring for an animal

Get a pet. Pets can bring feeling psychological comfort. They are pleasant to stroke and hold in your hands.

Our little brothers give us unconditional love. Animals make us feel important. They are always happy when the owner returns or plays with them, looking with loving eyes.

If you are not ready to get an animal, you can help at the kennel for free. Volunteers are often needed there to feed, walk and simply spend time with the animals.

Regular exercise

Sports exercise acts on the brain as an antidepressant. Even after a little physical activity, you feel a surge of strength and tension in the body subsides.

At least the following activities are sufficient:

get off one stop earlier and walk to the place;
use the stairs rather than the elevator;
do a little exercise in the morning and during the working day.

Proper diet

During depression, it is important to pay attention to nutrition. Serotonin affects emotional well-being. It is produced in the body, and various substances contribute to this:

Sweets quickly increase serotonin levels. However, it is quickly processed, and a depressing desire arises to gain more strength. Additionally, high blood sugar leads to greater mood instability.
Another way to increase serotonin synthesis is complex carbohydrates. They stimulate the pancreas, which regulates sugar levels. Carbohydrates are also an effective source of energy.
B vitamins are needed to produce serotonin. Lack of vitamin B6 leads to apathy, fatigue, bad sleep. It is found in greens, potatoes, bananas, cabbage and cereals. Herbs, berry leaves, meat, liver and dairy products contain vitamin B9.

Even if today it seems to you that everything is lost, life can be improved. Start taking care of yourself: communicate and get support from others, deal with bad thoughts, to delight body and soul. If you are faced with depression, know that, first of all, you must help yourself.

Video: Methods to get rid of the blues

Depression can be debilitating, and it's different from days when you just feel miserable. It does not appear on empty space, as a rule, there is a good reason for it: unhappy love, separation or dismissal from work. IN last years depressive disorder is widespread due to the increased amount of stress. Unfortunately, overcoming this mental illness is not as easy as we would like. All symptoms of depression are individual and depend on a number of factors. This is why it is difficult to overcome the disease even with help therapeutic treatment. However, some techniques will help significantly alleviate the condition.

Mindfulness practice

A depressed mind has a tendency to harken back to things that have already happened or to imagine gloomy pictures of the future. This negative cycle only increases suffering, dragging a person deeper into the abyss of depression. Practicing mindfulness helps you unclip thoughts by focusing them on the present moment. This skill can be trained and allows you to focus on all your senses: touch, smell, sounds, taste and sight. The more aware you are of your body, the less time you have to worry.

Rhythmic music

Music is food for the soul, it changes your mood and creates the necessary atmosphere. An upbeat and rhythmic tune changes the chemical balance in the brain.

Sensory therapy

Science shows that sensory therapy works well for some people to cope with depression. Treatments such as acupuncture, massage, acupressure, reflexology and others reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the production of oxytocin.

Enriching your diet with omega-3 fatty acids

A 2002 scientific study found that people suffering from depression are deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids. During the experiment, patients were given daily fish fat, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in depressive symptoms (anxiety, insomnia, spontaneous feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts and decreased libido). In addition to successfully combating mental illness, omega-3 fatty acids help lower blood cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Healthy fats are found in foods such as walnuts, flaxseed, salmon and tuna.

Forced stopping of negative thoughts

Depressed people tend to see the world in a negative way. When things go wrong, they blame only themselves, but this attitude attracts failure even more. Depression increases self-doubt and makes people feel worthless. It is difficult to control the internal flow of negative thoughts and attitudes; in order to defeat them, you need to look into the depths of your consciousness. These thoughts are born spontaneously, and their recognition does not mean the fulfillment of the prophecy. They exist autonomously and cannot interfere with business unless you allow it. So don't take them seriously every time you feel bad.

Wait for your time

Depressed individuals see negativity in everything, so it is more difficult for them to maintain emotional balance and adequately assess the situation. This distortion can turn a bright world into a gray and dull one. It must be remembered that this condition is not a death sentence and cannot last forever. Changes happen gradually, you need to be patient and take care of yourself: eat well and get plenty of rest.

Abstraction

Do your best to distract yourself from negative thoughts. There are many things that give people real pleasure: playing with pets, walking in the park, reading, water treatments And much more.

More light

Seasonal affective disorder, which hand goes hand in hand with depression, appears in the cold season and is associated with a decrease in daylight hours and total number sun. Equip your apartment with bright light sources and, if possible, go outside as often as possible during daylight hours.

Cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy can also be extremely helpful in combating depression. This principle is based on the exclusion of a certain way of thinking that led to a mental disorder. The therapist examines the patient's current thought patterns, highlighting false and harmful ideas. The goal of the method is aimed at changing the way of thinking to a more realistic and useful one, as well as eliminating thoughts that cause depression.

Journaling

A journal can be useful for two reasons. First of all, he acts as a silent listener, accepting your fears and experiences. This technique eases the patient's soul and calms the mind. Another one useful feature A diary is an opportunity to see the positive moments in life. Psychotherapists recommend that patients write down five things every day for which they can thank someone. Small acts of gratitude force you to redirect your thinking in a positive direction. Write down in a gratitude journal about everything that happened during the day. Thank the weather for the sun, the stranger for the smile, and the child for the warm hug.

Chat with friends

It's not easy to find the strength to call your friends when you're feeling down. However, you will still have to overcome the desire to imprison yourself in voluntary isolation. Getting out of the house and interacting with others are ways that can reduce symptoms of depression and have powerful emotional benefits.

Deep sleep

Sleep and mood are closely related to each other. Not getting enough rest at night can have a negative impact on your well-being, causing irritability and stress. But healthy and long sleep, on the contrary, improves well-being. Take steps to create a comfortable space in your bedroom and increase your relaxation routines evening time. Remember that quality sleep for 7-9 hours a day helps improve memory function, physical endurance, productivity and emotional balance.

Practice forgiveness

When a person holds a grudge against someone, anger settles in his heart - a negative quality that destroys emotional health. There is no point in being angry with the offender, because he is this moment busy with his own affairs, and the arrows of anger are unlikely to pierce him. Resentment destroys a person from the inside; it has complete power over him. This is why it is so important to forgive and let go of past misunderstandings. They are not worthy of your time.

Physical activity

Regular exercise has many health benefits, including helping to overcome symptoms of depression. Sport promotes the production of endorphins - hormones that improve mood and increase self-esteem. The physical benefits of exercise include reducing blood pressure, strengthening muscles, losing weight, improving heart function and preventing certain diseases. Experts advise practicing moderate physical activity (walking, jogging, exercise) for 30 minutes to an hour at least three times a week.

Do not give up

Depression can crush your self-esteem and make you want to hide from the world. It's ok if we're talking about about a short period. Give yourself a certain period of time, after which you will begin to take measures aimed at overcoming your condition.

Modern pace of life, constant stress, loneliness and many other factors inexorably lead to depression. Sooner or later, almost everyone approaches a similar state. modern man. We will tell you how to overcome it yourself, how doctors can help, and what causes it.

It is important to understand that such a condition is not the result of a person’s spoiling, bad character, pessimism or mood swings. To recover, the patient needs to understand how to overcome depression and learn to enjoy life.

Medical history

People have suffered from depression since ancient times. The Great Hippocrates described a disease that is extremely reminiscent of a depressive state. He recommends the use of opium and warm enemas in combination with massage and baths for its treatment. He also advises to cheer and encourage the patient in every way. Hippocrates calls this disorder “melancholy.” Modern term began to be used in the 19th century.

The essence of the disease

Depression is often confused with a bad mood or bad temper. This is a disease that requires competent and systemic treatment. If you ignore such a difficult condition, it can turn into severe form. It is with severe depression that a person loses interest in life so much that he is ready to end it.

Overcoming depression – difficult task, which the patient cannot always cope with on his own. The most difficult thing to overcome is the middle and severe degree diseases. How to overcome severe depression, the psychotherapist will tell you. Here it is important to skillfully combine a course of synthetic antidepressants with other drugs, as well as psychotherapy.

The disease begins with a person losing emotional balance. The impetus for this can be troubles in the family, at work, at school, an unsettled personal life, the loss of a loved one, etc. Chronic stress is extremely dangerous. It undermines your health from the inside, every day, morning until evening. The disease can also be triggered by hormonal disorders and long-term therapy with certain medications.

Melancholy can be provoked by somatic and neurological diseases(hypothyroidism, stroke, multiple sclerosis etc.), pregnancy, miscarriage. we have already told you. You can’t do this on your own, because the body has started a chain chemical reactions, which must be dealt with by a specialist or even several specialist doctors. Very often, mothers face depression during maternity leave or the postpartum form of the disease.

Susceptibility to depression may be related to gender. It happens more often in women. In men, this condition can be caused by stress, overwork, and alcohol. Constant drinking provokes rapid destruction of the psyche. Melancholy is often triggered by the death of a loved one, divorce, or separation from children.

How to survive this illness

How can you overcome depression on your own? Much depends on the patient himself. This condition can be overcome quite simply. You need to gather all your will and delve into your condition. Listen to your inner feelings, answer the question: “How do I feel? What hurts me now? When did it start? What could be the reason? The reason may be overwork, stress, quarrel with loved ones or loss loved one, pregnancy or abortion, etc.

With depression, the whole body suffers. There may be problems with cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, etc. This is the so-called psychosomatics - the root of all troubles with such manifestations lies in the patient’s own psyche.

As shown latest research, residents of cities, especially large ones, often suffer from this problem. They are constantly under the influence of stress factors, but at the same time they are so busy that they cannot even visit a doctor.

How to overcome bad mood and depression? Living in an overpopulated, noisy metropolis has an extremely negative impact on a person’s mental state. City patients do not know how to relax, rest, it is difficult for them to even notice the wonderful moments of their lives and appreciate them. They literally plunge into the frantic daily rhythm of life, constant stress, and negative environmental conditions.

Changing our attitude to reality

If you really decide to cope with depression on your own, it is important to change your attitude towards your responsibilities, affairs and reality in general. This will help you look at your problems from a different angle. If you motivate yourself correctly, the problem may not be as significant as it seemed at first.

Each of us has responsibilities - household chores, work, study, communication with our wife, husband, friends, colleagues, caring for children, etc. Every day, many important tasks are placed on our shoulders. If depression sets in, vitality quickly disappears, and the person finds it difficult to cope with these once familiar activities.

To fight the disease, you should not take on important tasks. Get your priorities right. If melancholy begins, the main objective now - to achieve recovery. It is not so easy, you need to fight for it, make an effort so that the disease recedes.

Try to choose a work rhythm that is feasible for yourself so that it does not lead to discomfort. It is important to study how the body reacts to stress. Large matters and tasks can be successfully divided into small ones, then the disease will begin to recede, and you will have additional strength to overcome the disease.

Postpone all serious decisions

If you are going through a difficult period when you are overcome by despondency and fear, put off solving important tasks for now. Due to depression, the internal strengths and reserves of the human body are quickly depleted. Take care of them. If you make the wrong decision, this will further stimulate the development of the disease, so simply postpone this decision for the duration of the disease. Believe me, when remission begins, it will be much easier for you to cope with your tasks.

If depression sets in, do not make serious decisions or take on many responsibilities. It's time to rest. If the situation needs to be resolved urgently, do not be afraid to consult with your loved ones.

Avoid stress

You need to remove any possibility of stress. With depression, the threshold of resistance to stress is significantly reduced, that is, a person becomes extremely vulnerable, vulnerable, and ceases to adequately assess the situation. With euphoria, the patient thinks that he can do anything, but soon there comes a moment of panic when the world is painted in black tones. During this period, the patient cannot cope with the most basic tasks. This is a direct path to mental stress and nervous breakdown.

It is important to limit possible stressful situations, provide for them, avoid potential conflicts. If you have a job, it's better to take a vacation. Studying will also be problematic, so it’s worth taking sick leave. Depression needs to be treated comprehensively.

Setting the right goals

In order for melancholy to recede, there are a number of universal tips:

Communicate more with different people. There is no need to isolate yourself, because loneliness is extremely dangerous with this disease. It is important to choose the right circle of people to communicate with. You should not include whiners, pessimists, aggressors, and manipulators. You are not on the same path with them. If you have no desire to engage in communication, you need to force yourself. Overcome your reluctance and start enjoying it. It is not for nothing that during psychotherapy the doctor tries to organize communication in a group of patients. It is interpersonal contact that can become a lifeline. Sometimes relatives lack tact and skills to properly communicate with the patient, but this cannot be blamed on them. Try to accept their mistakes and forgive them.
Do what you enjoy. You probably have favorite hobby. This could be playing a musical instrument, reading books, doing handicrafts, walking, watching movies, etc. Be sure to give yourself little joys, do everything that pleases you. Imagine that the doctor ordered you to experience joy, that this is medicine.
Play sports. Physical exercise have a beneficial effect not only on the body, but also on the psyche. This can be any exercise, exercise, yoga, gymnastics, Pilates, oriental dancing, cycling, etc. But you shouldn’t make great efforts, because while you are sick, your body is weakened. It may seem like doing even a simple movement is an impossible task, but it is not. Your psyche is tired, but your body is ready for action. Now all I have to do is force myself a little. Exactly physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins – hormones of joy. This is a direct path to improved well-being.
Don't indulge in idleness. It is the lack of activities that can plunge the psyche into despondency. Just lying on the couch and suffering is a dead end. Take the first step towards healing - get out of bed, start cleaning your apartment, replant flowers. Don't indulge in laziness.
Eat right. Balanced diet saturates the body with the necessary vitamins, microelements that nourish, among other things, nervous system. A depressed person may completely refuse food or eat excessively; his feelings of guilt and feelings of worthlessness grow. When you refuse food, the body has nowhere to draw energy and vitality, and the condition worsens. Eat healthy foods that you like, drink more juices, include greens in your diet, raw vegetables, fruits, cereals. Avoid alcohol.
Don't be afraid to see a doctor. If you can’t solve the problem yourself, there is nothing wrong with consulting a doctor. Remember that depression is a disease.

Any method is good if it helps. Therefore, from the list above, you should choose what suits you specifically. A positive attitude is also very important.

The "face" of depression

There are a number of tests for depression, but it is not difficult to recognize it on your own. The disease has many manifestations, but everything basically consists of a decrease in the quality of life and a depressed mental state.

The very first symptoms of depression are a constant bad mood, the world the patient seems gloomy, gray, and unfriendly, everything is annoying, absolutely nothing makes him happy. A person loses the desire to do anything, and apathy appears. He cannot bring himself to do work or household chores.

It is impossible to explain to such a person that life is wonderful, he has a great job, loving family. He does not see it and is not able to understand it. Often such patients simply lie on the sofa throughout the day, unable to leave it. They are overcome by uncertainty about the future and fear.

At the same time, night and day change places. The patient may sleep all day and not sleep a wink at night, suffering from insomnia and obsessive thoughts. The person feels extremely tired, overwhelmed, and cannot concentrate. Sleep does not bring him the long-awaited surge of strength. After it, a person does not feel rested.

The patient has difficulty making decisions and loses the ability to do work or daily household chores. A person is no longer able to experience the usual pleasures of sex, food, and entertainment. The patient becomes extremely lazy.

Changeability of the psyche

A patient with depression can be easily recognized by the fact that he has extremely changeable mood. Throughout the day, his condition necessarily changes. He may wake up in the morning in a painful or despondent mood, during the day he feels a little better, and in the evening a panicky state increases or, conversely, enlightenment appears. Patients often experience anxiety, panic in the morning, cry for several hours, walk aimlessly around the room or just lie down. They are overcome by the darkest thoughts.

In the evening, relative calm may appear, which is accompanied by physical fatigue. Usually the “turning point” in mood occurs at 15-16 hours. Daily mood swings are a sign of mild depression. If the patient has a deep depressive state, enlightenment begins only during the period of remission.

Another sign is that there are periods in the day when the patient is either much worse or better. After a few hours the suffering subsides.

Causes

The cause of depression lies in a person's past, especially in his childhood. The predisposition is influenced by the parenting tactics chosen by the parents, and by how much the child was loved and praised. It is important that from childhood the baby feels wanted, loved, smart and successful. Parents should not forget to praise their child, tell him that they love him, appreciate him, and notice his achievements. Love for your child should be unconditional and free of charge. Even if he does not shine with intelligence or any success, he should be treated as the best.

Unfortunately, most parents believe that their only job is to feed and clothe their child. Not everyone understands that every word they say can hurt a child, and the attitude of parents can affect the rest of their lives.

How to get out of depression

To begin with, the idea that a person can overcome deep depression on his own is dangerous delusion. This is a full-fledged disease that requires a competent approach and competent treatment. You can cope with a mild degree of the disease on your own, but it is better to leave moderate and severe cases to specialists. Psychiatry has accumulated vast experience in dealing with this condition.

An amazing breakthrough in the treatment of this disorder occurred in the mid-20th century. Scientists received effective medicines from a depressive state. Their work is based on normalization brain activity, its stimulation, regulation of biochemical processes. This is how antidepressants appeared.

In any modern pharmacy you can find a whole arsenal of drugs from this group. They correct effectively mental disorders, stabilize the patient's condition.

It is important to maintain reasonable limits when using antidepressants! They are used strictly as prescribed by a doctor; under no circumstances should you prescribe them yourself. Such drugs cause a number of side effects and can cause addiction in the body.

Do not rush to solve your psychological problems only with the help of pills. These potent drugs must be used wisely and strictly according to indications.

In many cases, antidepressants can be replaced with simple sedatives. plant based. Valerian, sage, St. John's wort, etc. have a very good effect on the body. In Europe, preparations based on St. John's wort have become very popular. They are effective for mild and medium degree disorders.

It is important to overcome nervousness and depression. Sedatives plant-based have a slight calming effect, have a positive effect on mental and physical state sick. With their help, you can overcome despondency, fatigue, and apathy, especially if they are provoked by hormonal changes, weather changes, or certain life ups and downs.

Psychocorrection

In addition to synthetic and plant-based drugs, for depression, the patient should receive competent psychological help. These are individual or group lessons. Their goal is to restore emotional comfort and return to the patient the ability to feel the joy of life.

If classes are carried out correctly, the patient will soon start to experience internal mechanisms self-healing. He directs all his strength to fight the insidious disease. He is forming internal protection, which will prevent depression from developing again in the future.

The development of depression is still influenced by a person’s character and personality. There are personality types that are more prone to psychological and mental illness. Such people quickly accumulate a baggage of grievances, traumas, complexes, and unresolved conflicts.

The problem is that a person tries to suppress these grievances and problems. He is hurt and ashamed to accept them. It takes an enormous amount of energy to suppress this accumulated baggage. There is nothing left for her anymore.

The most useless advice you can give to someone with depression is “Pull yourself together.” He is not only unable to do this, it is harmful and dangerous for him. Having pulled himself together, such a person will close himself together with his fears and problems. He will simply be left alone with them.

It is important to understand that depression is not limited to just psychological problems. It is capable of launching development mechanisms psychosomatic diseases. A person, for example, may suffer from severe headache or stomach pain every day, he is unable to swallow a piece of food, but all his tests will be perfect. This is psychosomatics, in which the problem lies in the mental state.

In such patients, shock doses of hormones, in particular adrenaline, are constantly released into the blood. It is adrenaline that can negatively affect the condition of blood vessels, heart, gastrointestinal tract, brain, etc. When psychosomatics joins depression, the patient finds himself in a vicious circle. He feels very bad and cannot determine the cause of this condition.

Sometimes it is enough to solve those issues that have become problematic and caused anxiety. Often they are connected with the past, work, or the loss of a loved one. Sometimes you have to let go of a situation or accept it as it is in order to truly move on with your life.

Adherents of spiritual teachings and practices emphasize that every unresolved situation takes away part of a person’s energy. This view does not contradict Orthodoxy. The more in life difficult situations, the more energy is spent on them. In such cases, it is recommended not to waste emotions, but to think about the situation and talk it through. Ideally, you should talk to a psychotherapist. He will open several ways to solve the problem at once and control the progress of the patient’s actions.

Remember that an emotional reaction is a way of giving your vital energy. The more emotions you spend, the less strength you have left. Negative reactions and emotions consume maximum strength.

Letting go of your past is only half the battle. These are the first steps on the path to recovery. The person does get relief, but it is only temporary. Over time, melancholy returns, because not all of its causes lie in the past. Its development is also influenced by personality type, tendency to despondency, and the general physical condition of a person.

Have you noticed that children very rarely suffer from depression? Why is that? The point here is not only that children by nature enjoy life and enjoy every little thing that it presents to them, but also that their psyche is the most flexible. She adapts to any situation. But an adult is an already established structure, strong and solid. She will not bend to the circumstances that arise; adults do not like to check whether they are wrong or not. Adults have developed their own way of thinking, a way of looking at things, they are not ready to radically change. And this is their problem, because then personal growth is impossible.

Sometimes it is enough to look at the situation from a different angle, to restructure your attitude towards it, for the despondency to go away. The task of a psychologist is precisely to change the form of a person’s thinking, to open reality to him from a new, unusual angle for him.

What should relatives do?

The patient’s recovery largely depends on loved ones. It is important to support him, not to let him go deeper into his problems and focus on this condition. If possible, you can give him feasible instructions. Tell him often how much you love him and cherish him.

If the condition worsens, you should immediately inform your doctor. If the patient is not being treated in a hospital, you definitely need to spend more time with him. The most dangerous thing is to leave him alone with the disease. Then the person replays his problems, fears, and experiences in his head again and again, but he is not able to cope with them on his own.

It is important that the patient realizes and remembers that he is loved by his loved ones and is really needed by them.

General principles of treatment

There are different methods of treatment - medications, training, psychoanalysis, taking vitamins, etc. Psychiatrists have a whole range of synthetic medications – antidepressants – in their arsenal. They are used if the patient is in deep clinical depression. Such medications can improve mood, relieve the oppressive feeling of melancholy and depression, and stimulate mental and physical activity.

There are a number of myths associated with antidepressants. Some consider them almost narcotic drugs, because they believe that they are sure to cause addiction.

The second misconception is that an antidepressant should work immediately. This is wrong. A course of these drugs does not always relieve melancholy. In severe cases, several courses are required, and to achieve stable remission, the doctor may recommend taking a course of antidepressants for prevention.

Another misconception is that the patient asks to be prescribed the most best drug. There are no better or worse drugs. There are drugs that are indicated for a particular patient and those that are contraindicated for him. An expensive drug will not necessarily be the most effective. It is important that the doctor analyzes what triggered similar condition, and prescribed treatment based on the situation. There cannot be one type of treatment here.

The doctor must take into account the depth of depression, its cause, general state the patient, his age. The presence of chronic and concomitant diseases. He selects the dose of the drug very carefully, gradually.

When will improvement begin?

This question is very important for the patient and his relatives, but no one can name specific dates, even the most experienced doctor. If the treatment is chosen correctly, you should feel better after a couple of weeks. The main thing is to believe in yourself and strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.

The general condition should improve after a month, and in severe cases this takes about 4 months, during which the course of taking the antidepressant cannot be interrupted. With systematic treatment, the patient’s original condition will certainly be restored. He must return to his usual life and feel her joy.

Antidepressants are strong synthetic drugs that can cause a number of side effects:

dry mouth;
blurred vision.

Don't be alarmed by these symptoms. They will go away as soon as the patient finishes taking the drug, or his dose is reduced. More often side effects There is no danger from taking antidepressants. If the side effects are too pronounced, perhaps the substance is simply not suitable for the patient. In this case, the doctor should replace it with an analogue.

In addition to antidepressants, doctors prescribe drugs from other groups. Their task is to return the patient to activity and taste for life, to even out his mood. It is extremely important that the progress of treatment is constantly monitored by a doctor, therefore patients with moderate and severe disease are usually treated in a hospital setting. The doctor constantly monitors the body’s response to therapy and adjusts the treatment.

Be at home or go to hospital

Most often, patients ask to be treated at home. You can cope with mild depression at home, but moderate to severe depression needs to be treated in a hospital. In addition, it is extremely undesirable for such patients to be left alone with themselves, because they are constantly under the oppressive influence bad thoughts, disappointments in life.

How is the healing process going?

Each patient's disease progresses differently, but there are general patterns, which are very typical for all cases. Recovery often proceeds as follows:

During the day, the patient experiences “enlightenments.” They last 1-2 hours.
Then these intervals become longer.
Then the patient can afford to work a little (from 12 noon until the evening).
The finale is a complete restoration of the state that was before the disease.

In the end, the victim notices that he no longer has a headache, stomach, heart, fear has subsided, he is able to do some work and at the same time no longer needs to urgently take an antidepressant. These are clear signs of remission.

So, we looked at the causes of depression, its typical manifestations, ways to independently combat the disease and modern principles of its treatment. deep depression It is better to overcome it under the close supervision of a doctor, and it is quite possible to cope with mild forms on your own. Don’t be afraid if you are faced with this disease, but it’s even better to take action to prevent it. Alternate work with rest, eat right, walk a lot, love yourself and the people around you, and most importantly, teach yourself to look at every shade of the amazing picture called “Life.”