Many people nowadays end up in confusion and uncertainty, when their plans, dreams and expectations cannot be realised, or when it is impossible to control the course of events. This is life, and we need to recognise that not everything depends on us.
The situation of chronic stress associated with the need to adapt to uncertain living conditions tests the psyche, but everyone has their own threshold of sensitivity, endurance, and emotional stability. The ability to withstand powerful stimuli depends on many factors, both internal (type of nervous system, experiences, genetic factors, physical health, motivation, values, meanings) and external (social support, availability of work, family, involvement in public life, community support). And if there are many “holes” in our “window of tolerance”, this makes us more vulnerable to various environmental factors, causing strong stress reactions.
Depression is a widespread disease. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which is the leading cause of loss of working ability. About 7% of adults have experienced at least one episode of depression, but the highest prevalence is among adolescents and people aged 18-25 (13%).
Many people associate depression with a low mood. However, if you wake up in the morning, take a shower, make yourself a coffee, get ready and go to work, and do various things, you cannot be depressed! You are just in a low mood. Remember what events, people, thoughts caused it and try to self-regulate to make life easier. And if you succeed and return home in a normal state, this means that you were just in a bad or low mood, short-lived, which you were able to regulate.
You shouldn’t make a medical diagnosis for yourself, because depression is a serious mental health condition, while its symptoms have clear manifestations prescribed in the International Classification of Diseases. And only a psychiatrist can diagnose this disorder.
Depression is sometimes called the “lady in black” because with this disorder, bright colours seem to disappear from life – people simply do not notice them, nor react in any way. Depression is manifested in the appearance, in the choice of clothes, which become grey, black, invisible. People stop taking care of themselves, of how they look or what they are wearing.
“I don’t care”, “Nothing good will ever happen”, “I’m a failure” – these are the words often articulated by people with depression. And whenever we see or hear something like this, it is important not to be indifferent, because depression has negative consequences: it is accompanied by suicidal thoughts and intentions, because a person feels unbearable internal pain that he or she wants to stop.
To understand whether a person has depression, it is important to notice any of the following manifestations
- depressed mood for most of the day;
- decreased interest in enjoyment in almost all activities: loss of interest in what used to be fun, no activities or achievements bring joy;
- significant weight loss or gain without special nutrition or diets;
- psychomotor agitation or lethargy – a person either becomes too fussy or has slower movements and speech;
- insomnia or drowsiness – problems with falling asleep, sleep is shallow and does not bring a sense of rest;
- feeling of constant fatigue, loss of energy;
- decreased ability to think, make decisions; thoughts are constantly focused on negative facts that distract from usual activities;
- feelings of self-worth, guilt towards loved ones;
- recurrent thoughts of death (suicidal thoughts).
These symptoms must be present for at least two weeks for a psychiatrist to diagnose depression.
Psychotherapy is used for mild and moderate forms of depression (as determined by a doctor), while severe depression requires a combination of psychotherapy and medication, antidepressants, which can be prescribed only by a doctor. Such treatment will speed up recovery and bring colour back into life.
Jeff Foster said: “There is no shame in depression. It is an ancient invitation to rest”. Carl Jung noted: “Depression is like a woman in black. If she turns up, don’t shoo her away. Invite her in, offer her a seat, treat her like a guest and listen to what she wants to say”.
Usually, the emergence of depression symptoms can be a cry for rest, restoration of normal work and rest regime. So don’t be indifferent to yourself, be attentive to your physical and mental reactions. Sometimes you just need to stop and see the natural antidepressants around you – the forest, green leaves, flowers, the river; hear birds singing and children laughing; smell the fresh grass and aromatic coffee – to help you restore your resources and feel better.
