Τρίτη 28 Αυγούστου 2018

What is depression and what can I do about it?







Sadness, feeling down, having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities - these are symptoms familiar to all of us. But, if they persist and affect our life substantially, it may be depression.

Fast facts on depression:
  • Depression seems to be more common among women than men.
  • Symptoms include lack of joy and reduced interest in things that used to bring a person happiness.
  • Life events, such as bereavement, produce mood changes that can usually be distinguished from the features of depression.
  • The causes of depression are not fully understood but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors.

Κατάθλιψη: Τα 9 συμπτώματα στο σώμα και στον ύπνο

Η κατάθλιψη μπορεί να προκαλέσει σοβαρά συμπτώματα που επηρεάζουν το πώς αισθάνεστε, σκέφτεστε και χειρίζεστε καθημερινές δραστηριότητες, όπως ο ύπνος, το φαγητό και η εργασία. Για να διαγνωστεί κάποιος με κατάθλιψη, τα συμπτώματα πρέπει να είναι παρόντα για τουλάχιστον δύο εβδομάδες.
Ορισμένες μορφές κατάθλιψης είναι ελαφρώς διαφορετικές, ή μπορούν να αναπτυχθούν κάτω από μοναδικές συνθήκες
Δείτε ποια είναι εκείνα τα συμπτώματα της κατάθλιψης που γίνονται εύκολα αντιληπτά, αρκεί να ξέρει κανείς τι “ψάχνει” στην συμπεριφορά κάποιου:

1. Προβλήματα ύπνου

Η κατάθλιψη είναι μια ψυχική ασθένεια. Αλλά μπορεί να επηρεάσει το σώμα σας καθώς επίσης και το μυαλό σας. Τα προβλήματα ύπνου, για παράδειγμα, μπορεί να είναι ένα σύμπτωμα της κατάθλιψης. Η δυσκολία στο να αποκοιμηθεί κανείς, ή/και ο "ανήσυχος" ύπνος είναι συχνά συμπτώματα. Από την άλλη πλευρά, μερικοί άνθρωποι μπορεί να φτάσουν στο άλλο άκρο και να κοιμούνται πάρα πολλές ώρες την ημέρα.

2. Πόνος στο στήθος

Οι πόνοι στο στήθος μπορεί να είναι ένα σύμπτωμα προβλήματος της καρδιάς, των πνευμόνων, ή και του στομάχου. Αλλά μερικές φορές μπορεί να είναι ένα σύμπτωμα της κατάθλιψης. Αυτή η ψυχική κατάσταση μπορεί να αυξήσει τον κίνδυνο των καρδιακών παθήσεων. Επίσης, οι άνθρωποι που έχουν υποστεί καρδιακή προσβολή είναι πιο πιθανό να είναι καταθλιπτικοί.

3. Κόπωση και εξάντληση

Αν αισθάνεστε τόσο κουρασμένοι, ώστε δεν έχετε ενέργεια για τις καθημερινές σας εργασίες (ακόμα και όταν κοιμάστε ή ξεκουράζεστε πολύ), αυτό μπορεί να είναι ένα σημάδι ότι έχετε κατάθλιψη. Σύμφωνα με μια μεγάλη έρευνα, οι άνθρωποι που πάσχουν από κατάθλιψη είναι περισσότερο από τέσσερις φορές πιο πιθανό να αναπτύξουν ανεξήγητη κόπωση, ενώ τα άτομα με κόπωση είναι σχεδόν τρεις φορές πιο πιθανό να γίνουν καταθλιπτικά.

4. Μυϊκοί πόνοι και πόνοι στις αρθρώσεις

Ο πόνος και η κατάθλιψη συνδέονται στενά. Η καθημερινή “πάλη” με έναν χρόνιο πόνο μπορεί να αυξήσει τον κίνδυνο κατάθλιψης. Και η ψυχική ασθένεια η ίδια μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε πόνο, επειδή οι δύο παθήσεις “μοιράζονται” τους χημικούς αγγελιοφόρους που μεταφέρουν σήματα στον εγκέφαλο. Οι άνθρωποι που πάσχουν από κατάθλιψη είναι τρεις φορές περισσότερες πιθανό να αναπτύξουν χρόνιο πόνο.

5. Πεπτικά προβλήματα

Ο εγκέφαλος και το πεπτικό μας σύστημα είναι στενά συνδεδεμένοι και αυτός είναι ο λόγος που πολλοί άνθρωποι έχουν στομαχόπονους ή ναυτία, όταν είναι στρεσαρισμένοι ή ανήσυχοι. Η κατάθλιψη μπορεί επίσης να προκαλέσει συμπτώματα όπως ναυτία, δυσπεψία, διάρροια, ή δυσκοιλιότητα.

6. Πονοκέφαλοι

Οι άνθρωποι με κατάθλιψη έχουν συχνά πονοκεφάλους. Μια μελέτη έδειξε ότι τα άτομα με μείζονα κατάσταση της νόσου είναι τρεις φορές πιο πιθανό να υποφέρουν από ημικρανίες και τα άτομα με ημικρανίες έχουν πέντε φορές περισσότερες πιθανότητες να πάθουν κατάθλιψη.

7. Αλλαγές στην όρεξη ή το σωματικό βάρος

Μερικοί άνθρωποι χάνουν την όρεξή τους, όταν αισθάνονται κατάθλιψη. Άλλοι, δεν μπορούν να σταματήσουν να τρώνε, αφού νιώθουν ότι αυτό καταπραΰνει την απογοήτευση ή τη δυστυχία τους. Το αποτέλεσμα μπορεί να είναι απότομη απώλεια ή αύξηση του βάρους και, με την απώλεια βάρους, αντίστοιχη έλλειψη ενέργειας. Η κατάθλιψη έχει συνδεθεί με διατροφικές διαταραχές όπως η βουλιμία, η ανορεξία και η υπερφαγία. Στις γυναίκες, η σχέση μεταξύ κατάθλιψης και ανορεξίας ή βουλιμίας είναι πιο ισχυρή.

8. Πόνος στην πλάτη

Ο χρόνιος πόνος στην πλάτη μπορεί να συμβάλει στην κατάθλιψη. Αλλά μπορεί να συμβεί και το αντίθετο. Οι άνθρωποι που πάσχουν από κατάθλιψη μπορεί να είναι τέσσερις φορές πιο πιθανό να έχουν πόνους στον αυχένα και την πλάτη.

9. Σεξουαλικά προβλήματα

Ένα άτομο με καταθλιπτική συμπεριφορά μπορεί να χάσει το ενδιαφέρον του για το σεξ. Οι άνθρωποι που πάσχουν από κατάθλιψη είναι πιο πιθανό να χρησιμοποιούν αλκοόλ και άλλες ουσίες, οι οποίες μπορεί να μειώσουν τη σεξουαλική τους ορμή και διάθεση. Μερικά συνταγογραφούμενα φάρμακα (συμπεριλαμβανομένων και εκείνων για τη θεραπεία της κατάθλιψης) μπορεί επίσης να επηρεάσουν αρνητικά τη λίμπιντο ενός καταθλιπτικού ατόμου.

Κατάθλιψη και ύπνος: Τι λένε οι επιστήμονες για τους εφιάλτες

Η κατάθλιψη, η αϋπνία και η εξάντληση μπορεί να είναι σημαντικοί παράγοντες κινδύνου για τους συχνούς εφιάλτες, υποδεικνύει νέα έρευνα που διενεργήθηκε από το πανεπιστήμιο Turku στην Φινλανδία και η οποία δημοσιεύθηκε στην επιστημονική επιθεώρηση Sleep.

Μετά από  ανάλυση, οι συγγραφείς της μελέτης κατέληξαν στο συμπέρασμα ότι η αϋπνία, η εξάντληση και ορισμένα συμπτώματα κατάθλιψης ήταν οι ισχυρότεροι ανεξάρτητοι παράγοντες κινδύνου για τις διαταραχές του ύπνου με εφιάλτες.

Άτυπη κατάθλιψη: Πώς να αναγνωρίσετε εγκαίρως τα σημάδια της

Η άτυπη κατάθλιψη συνήθως αρχίζει στην εφηβεία και είναι πιο συχνή στις γυναίκες παρά στους άνδρες. Παρά την ονομασία της, αυτή μορφή κατάθλιψης δεν είναι πολύ σπάνια. Όπως και με άλλες μορφές κατάθλιψης, η θεραπεία για την άτυπη κατάθλιψη περιλαμβάνει φαρμακευτική αγωγή, ψυχολογική υποστήριξη (ψυχοθεραπεία) και αλλαγές στον τρόπο ζωής.

Άτυπη κατάθλιψη: Συμπτώματα

  • Προσωρινή ευεξία στο άκουσμα μιας καλής/ευχάριστης είδησης, αλλά αίσθημα βαθιάς λύπης/απόγνωσης λίγο αργότερα
  • Αυξημένη όρεξη με ακούσια αύξηση του σωματικού βάρους
  • Αυξημένη επιθυμία για ύπνο, συνήθως πάνω από 10 ώρες την ημέρα
  • Αίσθηση ότι τα χέρια και τα πόδια σας είναι “πολύ βαριά”, κάτι που διαρκεί τουλάχιστον μια ώρα μέσα στην ημέρα
  • Αδυναμία διατήρησης μακροχρόνιας σχέσης, λόγω της ευαισθησίας στην απόρριψη ή την κριτική, η οποία επηρεάζει τις σχέσεις του ασθενούς, την κοινωνική του ζωή και την εργασία του.
  • Πηγές : iatropedia 
  • https://www.nimh.nih.gov
  • http://www.mayoclinic.org

What Is Depression?

A PET scan compares brain activity during periods of depression (left) with normal brain activity (right).
While everyone feels sad from time to time, if that occurs most days for more than two weeks, it could mean that clinical depression is occurring. Major depression is a period of sadness, irritability, or low motivation that occurs with other symptoms, lasts at least two weeks in a row, and is severe enough to negatively affect one's life. Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a real and treatable medical illness.
These PET scans of the brain indicate low activity in a person suffering from depression compared to someone who is not depressed.


Depression: Emotional Symptoms

A depressed businessman stares at his martini.
The most prominent symptoms of depression are usually a sad or irritable mood and/or loss of interest in all or most activities that used to be pleasurable. Patients may also experience guilt despite having done nothing wrong, as well as feeling worthless, hopeless, and/or have recurring thoughts of wanting to die, kill, or otherwise harm themselves, as in cutting or burning themselves.


Depression Symptoms: Physical

Woman with back pain has physical symptoms of depression.
Depression can sometimes be associated with physical symptoms. Examples may include the following:
  • Tiredness and low energy level
  • Trouble sleeping, particularly early morning waking
  • Sleeping too much
  • Aches or pains, especially headaches, muscle cramps, or digestive problems (for example, stomachaches, diarrhea, or constipation) that do not improve even with pain focused treatment
  • Feeling or seeming slowed down or agitated
Depression can worsen many other medical problems, especially those that cause chronic pain. Certain brain chemicals affect pain and mood, and treating depression tends to improve the symptoms and outcomes of many physical illnesses.


Depression: Appetite Symptoms

A depressed woman picks at fruit in a bowl.
Some individuals with depression experience an increase or decrease in appetite, which may lead to substantial loss or gain in weight.


How Depression Can Impact Daily Life

A depressed woman sits on her bed while her husband sleeps.
Left untreated, the symptoms of depression can negatively impact the sufferer's activities, relationships, and career. Depressed people often have trouble concentrating and making decisions. They may stop participating in activities they used to enjoy, including sex, as well as no longer spending time with loved ones. In severe cases, depression can be fatal as the result of homicide or suicide.


Warning Signs of Suicide

A depressed woman sits alone in the dark.
People with depression are at risk for trying to commit suicide. Warning signs may include talking about suicide or dying, threatening to hurt others, becoming irritable or taking excessive risks, giving away personal belongings, or otherwise settling personal affairs. Any warning signs for suicide should be taken very seriously and immediate help should be sought, either through the closest emergency room or in discussion with a suicide hotline. Two suicide hotlines include 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).


Who Is at Risk for Developing Depression?

Three very absorbed adults sit next to each other.
While anyone can develop depression, it is widely thought that a family history of depression is a risk factor for the illness. For example, being the child or sibling of a depressed person increases one's risk of developing a depressive disorder. Women are twice as likely as men to have this condition at some point in their lives. How often depression occurs may be difficult to determine since symptoms of this illness can vary somewhat based on gender, age, and ethnic background.


Causes of Depression

Illustration of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain communicating through neurotransmitters.
While it is not clear what specifically causes depression, a widely accepted theory is a change in brain structure and chemistry. Specifically, substances called neurotransmitters are out of balance in depressed people. Possible causes for the imbalance include certain medications, alcohol or substance abuse, hormonal or seasonal changes, or enduring a traumatic event, like being the victim of abuse or losing a loved one or a job.


Seasonal Depression

Some people are more depressed in a certain season.
If someone has a pattern of feeling depressed in a particular season, he or she may have a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although SAD may occur in any season, it is most likely to occur fall and winter, when the daylight hours are shorter. Research shows that SAD occurs in 3%-20% of all people, depending upon where they live.


Postpartum Depression

What people commonly call the "baby blues" afflicts up to 75% of new mothers. More than 10% of those women experience more severe and persistent sadness even if their baby is healthy. That condition, called postpartum depression, has symptoms that are very similar to the symptoms of major depression. However, in postpartum depression, the baby's well-being may become at risk since a depressed mother may have trouble enjoying, bonding with, and caring for her infant. In rare instances, the mother may become a danger to herself or her infant.


Depression in Children

A child deals with depression.
Depression afflicts 2% of children in grade school and about 10% of teens In the United States. It can impair the child or adolescent's friendships and school performance. Many of the symptoms are similar to those in depressed adults, but depression can be harder to diagnose in children, partly because they may revert to earlier behaviors (regress), seem angry, or engage in risky behaviors.



Preschoolers Can Suffer From Depression, Too

HealthDay news article on MedicineNet
MONDAY, August 4, 2014 -- "Depression can strike at any age, even among preschoolers, researchers report.
A sad and depressed preschool boy playing with toys.
And if it does strike, the odds are that the disorder will recur throughout childhood, a new study shows..." Read full article on MedicineNet


Diagnosing Depression

Woman notes each of her depression symptoms for her doctor.
A specific blood test for depression has yet to be developed. Therefore, doctors must use the sufferer's description of their symptoms in order to diagnose this condition. Other information that is usually gathered as part of the assessment include information about medical history, substance abuse, and medication use since these issues may contribute to symptoms of depression. Understanding someone's family medical and mental-health history can help determine what he or she is at risk for developing. Discussing moods, behaviors, and daily activities can help the mental-health professional assess the severity and type of depression the person is experiencing. Gathering all this information is important to the professional in order to provide the best treatment.


Talk Therapy for Depression

A therapy counseling session.
Research shows that different forms of talk therapy (psychotherapy) can help alleviate depression that is of mild to moderate severity. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help the individual alter ways of thinking and behaving that may lead to depression. Interpersonal therapy works with the depressed person to understand how his or her ways of interacting with others can contribute to depression. Psychodynamic therapy helps the depression sufferer understand and come to terms with how issues from their past may unconsciously affect their current moods and actions. Studies indicate that most people who are having their first episode of major depression need at least six months of treatment to resolve the depressive episode.


Medications for Depression

Medication taken to handle depression.
Many medications, antidepressants, are effective for the treatment of depression. These medications affect the levels of brain chemicals, like serotonin and norepinephrine. It may take some weeks to feel the positive effect of these medications, so it is important to remain vigilant in taking them and working with a doctor in the process. Studies show that people suffering from depression tend to get better faster and more robustly when treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication compared to treatment with either medication or therapy alone.


Exercise for Depression

A woman does yoga under a tree.
Studies show that moderate exercise can be an important part of alleviating mild to moderate depression because it causes the release of chemicals called endorphins. In addition to the medical benefits of exercise, the release of endorphins tends to elevate mood and self-esteem, decrease stress, increase energy level, and improve sleep. Engaging in just 30 minutes of activity that elevates heart rate three to four times per week is enough for anyone to reap the benefits of exercise.


Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

A man uses light therapy to treat his depression.
Light therapy, also called phototherapy, can be an effective treatment for SAD and other types of depression. This form of treatment involves sitting in front of a medical light box that emits a specific kind of light for several minutes per day. Phototherapy should only be used when recommended by a doctor and is often used with psychotherapy or medication to achieve the best effects.


St. John's Wort for Depression

Pills and flowers of St. John's wort, an herbal remedy that may help treat mild depression.
St. John's wort is an herbal supplement that has been found to be a potential help for mild depression, but two large studies have shown it is ineffective against moderate or severe depression. Also, St. John's wort can interact poorly with other medications. It is therefore important to ask a doctor before taking this or any other supplement.


Pets for Depression

A man hugs his dog.
While loving pets cannot take the place of psychotherapy and medication in treating depression, these family members can be helpful for many people who suffer from mild depression. Pets relieve stress by providing love and companionship. Research shows that animal-assisted therapy can also decrease agitation that often goes with depression.



The Role of Social Support

Rugby players form a huddle.
Since loneliness often accompanies depression, having good relationships and social support can be an important part of recovery from this illness. Joining a support group, either in person or online, having regular contact with loved ones, or joining a club can help ward off becoming socially isolated. Spiritual connectedness, either with other people at a place of worship or just believing in a power bigger than oneself, can help decrease depression as well.


Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

A man holds a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS).
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) helps patients who suffer from chronic treatment-resistant depression that does not improve with the combination of psychotherapy and medication. VNS requires the surgical insertion of an electrical device that alleviates depression by inducing a normal electrical pattern in the brain by sending electrical pulses through the vagus nerve in the neck.


Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Health-care professionals perform an ECG on a patient.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is another treatment option for people who struggle with severe treatment-resistant depression. This treatment involves administering electric impulses to create a controlled seizure while the patient is under sedation. ECT helps 80% to 90% of people who receive it, which is significant given that most of those individuals would otherwise continue to suffer. While this form of treatment has a history of stigma attached to it, changes in the way it was implemented decades ago have significantly decreased side effects and improved its effectiveness.


Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A man receives transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is another option for people with severe depression that does not respond adequately to medication and psychotherapy. With rTMS, physicians aim electromagnetic currents at the skull to stimulate a small electrical current in a part of the brain linked to depression. In contrast to ECT, rTMS does not cause a seizure and seems to have few side effects. However, not many doctors have the training and experience to implement this form of treatment.


Good Outlook

A woman runs with dogs in a field.
While afflicted with the symptoms of major depression, one might feel hopeless and unable to function. However, this condition is quite treatable and as much as 80% of people with the condition recover with the help of medication, talk therapy, or both forms of treatment. For those who do not improve with those traditional treatments, interventions like VNS, ECT, or rTMS can bring significant relief for many people.



SOURCE : WebMD





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