DEPRESSION

What is depression?

Not every feeling of sadness is depression. To define a current period of sadness as depression, there must be at least two weeks of persistent unhappiness, pessimism, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, loss of appetite (or conversely overeating), sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleeping), agitation or, on the contrary, slowing of movements, low energy, lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death, or suicidal tendencies. In depression, this negative mood also disrupts the individual’s academic, occupational, or social functioning, and their performance declines. This condition is also referred to as “Major Depressive Disorder.”

Who is affected by depression?

Depression is seen three times more frequently in women than in men. Although it can occur at any age, it is more common between the ages of 25 and 40.

How is depression treated?

Depression is a treatable condition.

Psychotherapy and antidepressant medication are the mainstays of depression treatment. Psychotherapy is essential to strengthen the individual’s ego, increase psychological resilience, regulate social relationships, and find solutions to conflict situations that may cause depression.

In depression, it is known that the levels of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, are disrupted. In addition to psychotherapy, antidepressant medication prescribed by a psychiatrist is necessary to address the biological aspects of depression, especially in severe cases involving thoughts of death. Antidepressants also help regulate sleep and appetite, allowing for faster progress in treatment. These medications must be started under the supervision of a psychiatrist and gradually discontinued under their guidance. Contrary to common belief, antidepressants are not addictive, and discontinuation does not cause significant difficulty.