Sadness, lack of motivation, lack of hope, tiredness and unwillingness to get out of bed. These and other negative feelings are part of life.
However, when the problem gets worse and starts to interfere with the routine and the ability to work, sleep, study, eat and even have fun, a warning sign arises.
Disorders that affect mental health , such as depression and anxiety, can present themselves in several nuances. Sometimes, diseases are confused with lack of will, laziness or carelessness, which makes the diagnosis more complex.
This Thursday (15th), National Day to Prevent and Combat Depression learn about the most common signs of the disease and learn how to seek specialized help.
What is depression
THE depression It is a common and serious disorder that interferes with the daily lives of those affected. The causes are multifactorial, including genetic, biological, environmental, psychological and social issues. Scientific research indicates that the risk of depression results from the influence of several genes that act in conjunction with environmental or other factors.
However, depression can also occur in people with no family history of the disorder. Not all patients with depressive disorders have the same symptoms. In addition, the severity, frequency and duration vary depending on the individual and their specific condition, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Approximately 280 million people worldwide have depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated that 3.8% of the planet’s population is affected, including 5% of adults and 5.7% of individuals over 60 years of age. Depression is considered the leading cause of disability worldwide and an important contributor to the global burden of disease.
For psychiatrist Maria Francisca Mauro, the onset of depression can happen in different ways and that is why it is necessary to be aware of the symptoms.
“The first signs can manifest in different aspects of life. The important thing is to observe if, even going through a moment of greater pressure, you are not able to return to your normal stage within 15 days. The way you feel, the thoughts you have, your relationship with life in terms of pleasure or even changes in sleep and your own body, such as weight, can be signs that something is not right”, warns Francisca.
Main signs of depression
Unlike the usual mood swings and common short-lived emotional responses, depression causes marked clinical conditions and significantly impacts quality of life. Especially when recurrent and of moderate or severe intensity, depression can bring suffering and harm the work, school and family routine.
In the most severe cases, depression can lead to suicide. Every year more than 700 thousand people take their own life in the world, according to WHO estimates. The public health problem affects entire families, communities and countries and has lasting effects on people. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds worldwide.
During a depressive episode, a person experiences depressed mood, characterized by sadness, irritation, and a feeling of emptiness. There is a loss of pleasure and interest in activities most of the day, almost daily, for at least two weeks. A number of other symptoms are also present, and may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-esteem, hopelessness about the future, thoughts of death or suicide, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling tired or lacking. power.
“Negativism can reach a dimension of thinking that life is no longer worth it, as if there were no more alternatives, and this culminates in beyond vague thoughts about death, and can become a fixed idea, to the extreme of an attempt. of suicide”, says the psychiatrist.
In depressed mood, there is a thought that the ability to feel pleasure or joy has been irreversibly lost. Some people may be more apathetic than sad, and they perceive themselves as a burden to family and friends. In addition to reinforcing negative assessments of themselves, people in depression also perceive difficulties as insurmountable. In more severe cases, suicidal thoughts arise that can vary from one person to another.
Signs that may indicate mental health problems
Impacts on quality of life
The specialist in Human and Organizational Development at Humanare Adriana Schneider highlights that the impacts on mental health can harm performance at work.
“In the case of the work environment, the issue becomes even more essential, when diseases and disorders directly linked to stress at work are increasingly common, such as Burnout syndrome and depression. It is up to company leaders to identify what may be causing a possible drop in the performance of their employees, whether it is a more exhausting work regime, or the leader’s own attitude towards his or her subordinates in the day-to-day work environment”, he says.
Burnout syndrome became recognized as a work-related phenomenon by the WHO this year.
“The human brain only engages in one activity at a time, putting the other functions on automatic. Therefore, it is necessary to establish breaks, both in personal and professional routine. Throughout the day, take a short break,” explains neurologist and Viatris medical director Elizabeth Bilevicius.
Carine Roos, CEO and founder of Newa, argues that corporate environments should reinforce attention to the mental health of young employees and interns.
“It is essential that management create a dialogue routine that is increasingly closer and more present with young people, so that there is support for their needs in this learning process. Emotional health must stop being a taboo and make room for speeches. In this way, leaders will develop a look of compassion and empathy with the employee. I think the focus is on managing the organization, on how management is looking at employees in general, including interns and apprentices,” she says.
Clinical pictures vary
Faced with the particularity of the human mind, the manifestations of mental disorders present themselves in different ways among individuals.
People with depression may feel excessively tired even without having performed intense physical efforts. Lack of will and initiative is also associated with motor retardation and a slower thought process. Complaints such as lack of memory and concentration in everyday activities are common.
Sleep disturbances can also indicate mental health problems, such as insomnia at night or intense sleepiness during the day. Weight gain or loss also affects depressed people. While the appetite tends to decrease, in general, some people may experience an increase in hunger, mainly associated with the consumption of carbohydrates and sweets.
Depressive episodes can also be marked by physical pain and symptoms, such as malaise, tiredness, digestive discomfort, chest pain, tachycardia, and increased sweating.
Psychiatrist Maria Francisca Mauro says that some clues can help identify when someone you know is suffering from depression.
“People who start to isolate themselves, who are always complaining, cancel appointments at the last minute, are always making social excuses and stop answering messages or having external contacts, in addition to modifying their behavior. Those who live in the same house may notice that that person is having difficulty following deadlines, for example. An important point is the abrupt changes in behavior, negativism, pessimism, a certain isolation, a complaint about the difficulties in doing things that I used to do and felt good about. These are subtleties of changes that need to be repaired when we are in front of people we love,” she explains.
Treatment and where to get help
The treatment of depression involves a multidisciplinary effort, which can count on the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and family doctors. Like any disease, conduct depends on the symptoms and severity of the clinical condition of each patient and it must be defined by health professionals specialized.
Psychotherapy, the use of antidepressant medication and professional follow-up to make changes in lifestyle are some of the treatment possibilities.
PAHO states that psychosocial treatments are also effective for mild depression. Antidepressants can be effective for moderate to severe depression, but they are not the first line of treatment for milder cases.
For people who are in crisis, the Life Appreciation Center (CVV) provides expert help 24 hours a day. Just call 188 or access the chat via site. The website Mental Health Map allows the consultation of places that offer free, voluntary or affordable care in the country.
The WHO warns that while there are known and effective treatments for mental disorders, more than 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries do not receive treatment. According to the WHO, barriers include a lack of resources and trained health professionals and the social stigma associated with mental disorders. In countries of all income levels, people suffering from depression are often misdiagnosed.
Some attitudes can make a difference and contribute to mental health, such as reducing the time of internet use, establishing schedules, avoiding excess alcoholic beverages and the search for a balanced diet.
“The self-demand to handle so many roles, especially for women, – professional, mother, partner, friend – in everyday life can be a trigger for depression. It is essential to reduce access time to social networks, especially at night. In the case of depression, the condition may require a lot of sleep, but it has the other side, which is insomnia”, says Marta Axthelm, president of the Brazilian Association of Family, Friends and People with Affective Disorders (Abrata).
Source: CNN Brasil
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