Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a puzzling phenomenon that can lead not only to extremely unpleasant states of mind, undermine our abilities to go about our everyday tasks but enjoy our life in general making every day exhausting and miserable.

• More than 264 million people suffer from depression worldwide. (World Health Organization, 2020)

How it affects us?

Depression affects different aspects of our life including:

Motivation: You may feel apathy, loss of energy and interest. Everything seems pointless and hopeless.

Emotions: Ability to experience positive emotions and lack the capacity to experience any pleasure. People may feel ‘empty’. 

Cognitive function: You may have problems with attention, concentration and memory. Also, the focus of thoughts become negative about the self, other people and the future.

Behaviours : You may often stop engaging in behaviours that have been enjoyable in the past. You may withdraw from others or stop going out. On the other hand, you may become more cling to others and desperate for reassurance.

Biological: You may experience problems in sleeping, waking up too early or sleeping too lightly. You may lose your appetite and interest in sex.

Depression can be…

Depression can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may have one or many episodes.

Depression can be the primary problem or can be associated with other disorders such as anxiety, social anxiety, substance abuse.

Depression can be triggered by life events (the loss of a relationship, work changes) or physical changes.

Depression can have an acute onset (within days) or come on gradually (months or years).

Depression can be chronic (lasting more than two years), or short-term (recovery coming in weeks or months).

Treatment

In regard to psychological therapies, there are many forms, including psychodynamic, social skills training, interpersonal therapy, emotion-focused therapy, cognitive therapy, behaviour therapy and various hybrids and combinations.

Prognosis

The prognosis of depression is better for people with mild episodes, the absence of specific psychotic symptoms, treatment compliance, a strong support system, and positive previous experiences.