TABLE OF CONTENT
What is depression? ....................................................................................................... 3
TYPES OF DEPRESSION ................................................................................................... 3
1. Persistent Depressive Disorder:................................................................... 3
2. Bipolar disorder: ................................................................................................ 3
3. Atypical depression: .......................................................................................... 3
4. Situational depression: .................................................................................... 4
5. Psychosis: ............................................................................................................... 4
6. Seasonal depression: ......................................................................................... 4
7. Prenatal/postnatal depression: ................................................................. 4
HOW TO PREVENT OR OVERCOME DEPRESSION? ........................................................... 4
STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE REAL CAUSE OF DEPRESSION: .............................................. 4
STEP 2: EXTERIORIZE YOUR PAIN IN AN ACTIVITY:.................................................. 5
STEP 3: CONFIDE WITH SOMEONE: ............................................................................... 5
STEP 4: ACT AND RESUME YOUR LIFE IN HAND: ........................................................ 5
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION ................................................................................................. 6
1. Genetic: ................................................................................................................ 6
2. Biology: ................................................................................................................ 6
3. ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE: ........................................................................... 6
4. Life events: ......................................................................................................... 7
The different forms of depression ........................................................................ 7
Major depressive disorder:........................................................................... 7
Dysthymic Disorder: ................................................................................................ 7
A non-specific depressive disorder: ................................................................... 7
*How to overcome depression*
What is depression?
Depression is a disease that is characterized in particular by great sadness, a feeling of
hopelessness (depressed mood), loss of motivation and decision-making powers, a decrease in
the sense of pleasure, eating and sleeping disorders, morbid thoughts, and the feeling of having
no value as an individual.
In the medical community, Depression usually occurs in the form of depressive periods that can
last for weeks, months, or even years. Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, depression is
as mild, moderate, or significant (severe). In the most severe cases, depression can lead to
suicide.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
The most common form of depression is called a severe depressive episode. This manifests itself
by the persistence of the feelings and symptoms mentioned above for at least two weeks.
However, there are other forms of depression:
1. Persistent Depressive Disorder:
With this type of depression, also known as dysthymia or dysthymia, the symptoms are milder
but persist over at least two years. Feelings of hopelessness, in particular, shape this type of
depression.
2. Bipolar disorder:
Bipolar disorder describes a form of depression that alternates between phases of serious
depressive moods and manic episodes. This type of depression is also called manic depression.
Treatment is given by the administration of particular medication to stabilize the climate.
3. Atypical depression:
With atypical depression, the spirit can appear normal for up to two months, and periods of
agitated mood alternate with periods of depressed mood. This type of depression is also called
cyclothymiacs.
4. Situational depression:
Situational depression creates feelings of depression in response to specific events. This type of
depression is also called adaptive disorder and usually goes away on its own without treatment.
5. Psychosis:
Psychosis is a severe form of depression in which the underlying feelings and sensations are
expressed through delusions and hallucinations. This type of depression requires treatment with
psychotropic drugs or, in rare cases, electro-seizure therapy (ECT).
6. Seasonal depression:
Seasonal depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is caused by a lack of daylight.
Often, people from countries where there is little daylight in winter are affected.
7. Prenatal/postnatal depression:
Prenatal or postnatal depression describes feelings of depression that can occur in women shortly
before or after birth. This type of depression results from a mix of anxiety about both the birth of
the baby and the drastic changes in life that delivery brings. This type of depression is being
treated in the same way as the other types of depression.
HOW TO PREVENT OR OVERCOME DEPRESSION?
There are various medical treatments available to overcome depression. In this article, this is to
give you natural tips, comfortable and practical. Regarding the prevention of depression, some
methods, such as preventive programs, therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, are excellent
means of prevention.
STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE REAL CAUSE OF DEPRESSION:
Before doing anything, you need to analyze your psychological situation following your
emotional shock. And the best way to do it is to know what is affecting you, and it doesn't just go
through the event that caused your depression. It also involves other factors (to be taken on a
case-by-case basis):
An accumulation of events;
A grave disappointment of a loved one;
Isolation;
Stressful living or working conditions;
Chronic health problems
An existential evil.
Whatever these reasons, it is necessary to identify them and realize the links they have with each
other. Because if we focus on the only problem that triggered depression, we omit other
profound ailments that cannot be treated.
STEP 2: EXTERIORIZE YOUR PAIN IN AN ACTIVITY:
Depression is a very delicate state because it gives way to a feeling of helplessness, and you are
overcome by a sense of not going any further. It is essential to know how to evacuate all your
negative emotions. And that passes by actions which aim at relieving you, spending you. If you
have to cry hot tears or play sports, then do it. You need to focus on spending your energy.
Because it will ease your pain, and it will decrease your sadness because you will have emptied
your entire bag in a few other things. Having been a victim of depression, this stage was the most
liberating for me, and I would even say that it is she who cured me of this vice. As I say in my
section sport: "Sport is not a fashion but a lifestyle."
STEP 3: CONFIDE WITH SOMEONE:
There is another way to relieve ailments and overcome depression. To confide in someone, One
of the most effective ways to alleviate your pain remains. Indeed, confiding in someone close
allows you to reduce yourself of a heavyweight to bear. Besides, the feeling of being understood
will enable you to move faster because you will feel reassured and supported. Sometimes
knowing that we are not alone in living or having experienced such a situation or even knowing
that our job is less catastrophic compared to what other people are experiencing is a great relief.
However, to benefit from this help, one must be predisposed to the desire to tell people about
their problems. And, for some people, it is not as obvious.
STEP 4: ACT AND RESUME YOUR LIFE IN HAND:
You start to get better and better, you think less and less, and you finally feel ready to go up the
slope. So beware, nothing is done yet! There we just started to understand the underlying reason
for your malaise and to externalize your emotions. Nothing is inevitable; however, you can have
a relapse and begin to psychosis again. You must ACT and quickly! What you need to do is
gradually resume your daily routine that was set up just before your depression started. Take it
easy, step by step. Start going out again, see your usual friends, meet people, start dressing
better, putting the colors together, and practice your hobbies and activities again. So, turning the
page starts from the moment you understand what you feel when you get rid of all the pain of
depression, but mainly when you act! It is, therefore, also a question of carrying out concrete
actions to combat depression to feel better. This combat can also pass by the realization of
individual projects previously repressed: Undertaking fulfilling projects, educating oneself in the
dynamics of learning, analysis, and actions. In short, think of things that you would love to do
and that you never do because of "lack of time" or "laziness" and undertake them. In short, there
is no shortage of solutions. It is enough to externalize wrong thinking, analyzing, and acting
accordingly.
And here it is, so end this article: how to overcome depression in 4 steps. Did you love it? Take
the time to explain to me how it helped you; it would make me happy. You can also qualify my
words or teach me your miracle tricks to fight depression. I will be glad to read you in turn.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
It is not known exactly what causes depression. Still, it is probably a complex disease involving
several factors related to heredity, biology, life events as well as the environment and habits. Of
life.
1. Genetic:
Long-term studies of families and twins (separated or not at birth) have shown that depression
has some genetic component. However, it has not been identified as specific genes involved in
this disease. Thus, a history of depression in the family may be a risk factor.
2. Biology:
Although the biology of the brain is involved, people with depression have a deficit or imbalance
in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. These imbalances disrupt communication
between neurons. Other problems, such as a hormonal disturbance (hypothyroidism, taking birth
control pills, for example), can also contribute to depression.
3. ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE:
Poor lifestyle habits (smoking, alcoholism, little physical activity, excessive television88 or
video games, etc.) and living conditions (precarious economic conditions, stress, social isolation)
are likely to have a profound effect on psychological state. For example, the accumulation of
stress at work can lead to burnout and, ultimately, depression.
4. Life events:
The loss of a loved one, a divorce, an illness, the injury of their job, or any other trauma can
trigger depression in people predisposed to the disease. Likewise, the abuse or trauma
experienced in childhood makes them more susceptible to depression in adulthood, in particular,
because they permanently disturb the functioning of specific genes linked to stress.
The different forms of depression
Depressive disorders are classified into several entities: major depressive disorders, dysthymic
disorders, and unspecified depressive disorders.
Major depressive disorder:
It is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes (a depressed mood or loss of
interest for at least two weeks associated with at least four other symptoms of depression).
Dysthymic Disorder:
(dys = dysfunctional and thymia = mood)
It is characterized by a depressed mood most of the time for at least two years, associated with
depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a Major Depressive Episode. It is a
depressive tendency, without there being a significant depression.
A non-specific depressive disorder:
This is a depressive disorder that does not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder or
dysthymic disorder. For example, it may be an adjustment disorder with depressed mood or an
adjustment disorder with both anxious and depressed mood.
Other terms are used alongside this DSM4 classification (manual for classification of mental
disorders):
Anxious depression: In addition to the usual symptoms of depression, there is
excessive apprehension and anxiety.
Bipolar disorder previously described as manic depression.
This psychiatric disorder is characterized by periods of significant depression, with manic or
hypomanic episodes (exaggerated euphoria, overexcitement, a reverse form of depression).
Seasonal depression:
Depressive state that manifests itself cyclically, usually during the few months of the year, when
the sun is at its lowest.
Postpartum depression:
In 60% to 80% of women, a state of sadness, nervousness, and anxiety manifests itself in the
days after childbirth. We are talking about baby blues, which lasts between one day and 15 days.
Usually, this negative mood subsides on its own. However, in 1 in 8 women, real depression sets
in immediately or appear in the year following birth.
Depression after bereavement. In the weeks following the loss of a loved one, signs of
depression are common, and this is part of the grieving process. However, if these signs of
depression persist for more than two months, or if they are very marked, you should consult a
specialist.
Complications
There are several possible complications related to depression:
Recurrent depression:
It is frequent since it concerns 50% of people who have experienced depression. Management
considerably reduces this risk of recurrence.
Persistence of residual symptoms: these are cases where depression is not entirely cured and
where even after the depressive episode, signs of depression persist.
The transition to chronic depression.
The risk of suicide: Depression is the leading cause of suicide: around 70% of people who die by
suicide suffered from depression. Depressed men over the age of 70 are most at risk of
committing suicide. One of the signs of depression is thoughts of suicide, sometimes called "dark
ideas." Even if most people with thoughts of suicide don't attempt it, it is a warning sign.
Depressed people think about suicide to stop suffering that seems unbearable to them.
The disorders associated with depression: Depression has physical or psychological links with
other health problems:
Anxiety,
Addiction: Alcoholism; abuse of substances such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine; dependence on
certain drugs such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers.
Increased risk of certain diseases: cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Indeed, depression is
associated with a higher risk of heart problems or strokes. On the other hand, having depression
could slightly accelerate the onset of diabetes in people already at risk 70. Researchers say
depressed people are also less likely to exercise and eat well. Besides, certain medications can
increase appetite and cause weight gain. All of these factors increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
