A depression can have the most diverse triggers and occur in the most diverse forms. What helps against depression is therefore also dependent on the type of depression. What forms of depression there are and what options are available for the treatment of depression, you will learn below.
How is depression classified?
In the past, depression was classified in medicine as endogenous, psychogenic, and organic depression – now, depression is evaluated more by symptoms, severity, duration of illness, and risk of relapse, but the old classification is still found in many books. In addition to depressive episodes and recurrent depressive disorders, so-called secondary depressions can also occur, which are depressions that occur in the context of another underlying mental illness (anxiety disorder, bulimia, addiction). From this are distinguished the depressive disorders that are associated with somatic diseases, that is, diseases of the body.
Forms of depression
On the one hand, it can be assumed that about 25 percent of all chronically ill people develop depressive symptoms – which everyone can well understand, because a chronic illness does affect everyday life. On the other hand, there are a number of diseases in which depression is one of the symptoms: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, but also heart failure, many autoimmune diseases, porphyria and diabetes mellitus. There is also a whole range of depression special forms: In atypical depression, sufferers eat and sleep a lot, and seasonal depression usually does not occur in spring and fall, but mainly in winter. In addition, many long-used terms such as whining depression or old-age depression (from the age of 60) are still used for individual subtypes of the new classification. The term whining depression was formerly used for people who are driven by an inner restlessness and anxiety – often complaining of palpitations and shortness of breath. Today, it is referred to as agitated depression.
What can be done about depression?
Prompt treatment by a professional is important for depression. A first point of contact can be the family doctor, who can assist in finding a specialist doctor or therapist. Telephone counseling or crisis services can also provide initial assistance. Therapy can consist of intensive discussions about the causes of the depression and no drug treatment is necessary – however, this is more likely to occur in the case of a mild depressive episode. A combination of drug treatment and psychotherapy is usually used, because many studies show that the combination leads to faster and more lasting success than individual therapy.
Medications for the treatment of depression
There are very many different medications for depression. These medications are called antidepressants and must be carefully selected and combined depending on the severity of the depression, the severity of the symptoms, age, and other medical conditions. Examples of antidepressants include mirtazapine and citalopram.
Psychotherapy and psychoeducation
Psychotherapy and so-called psychoeducation play an important role in the therapy of depression:
In the field of psychotherapy, there are various forms such as behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive psychotherapy. Psychoeducation is playing an increasingly important role: this refers to the targeted education of patients about their illness. In this way, the self-help potential of the patient and his or her relatives is promoted. In most cases, group programs are offered by clinics or psychiatric practices.
Other forms of therapy for depression
Other therapy options, which are used only in special cases, include.
- Sleep deprivation
- Light therapy
- Electroconvulsive therapy
Magnetic stimulation is a new treatment method that is less stressful and may soon replace electroconvulsive therapy.
What else can you do yourself?
The most important step in overcoming depression is to seek professional help. Even if it’s hard, try to see things more positively again and listen to your therapist’s recommendations.The following tips may be able to help you cope with depression:
- Try to accept your illness.
- Try to always be aware of the positive aspects of life and your own strengths.
- Do something good for yourself.
- Get family and friends to do activities that you used to enjoy.
- In consultation with your treating physician, consider sports and physical activity as part of your therapy – this can help boost your self-esteem.
- Set a goal to make important decisions for yourself, but do so only when you feel able to do so again.
Respond quickly when depression returns
If you have had depression before, you already know what therapy helped you. If you feel unwell again, do not hesitate to see your doctor quickly. Being open about the condition with friends and family can help you get support quickly if you fall into a deep hole again.
What can family members do?
Friends and family members can also support sufferers of depression: by being there, listening, taking time out of their busy schedule, and giving the person time. They can also encourage seeking professional help. As loved ones, consider the following advice:
- Give emotional attention and acceptance, even if the affected person’s views differ from your own.
- Encourage the affected person in his positive behaviors and successes – so you strengthen his confidence in his own abilities.
- Avoid well-intentioned but not purposeful statements such as “It will pass” or “You just need to pull yourself together”.
- Help the person set realistic goals that neither over- nor under-challenge him.
- Do not be discouraged if affected person shows exhaustion, lack of strength and courage and resists your efforts – this is part of the disease.
- Bring patience and provide cheering up or distraction – without overwhelming or flooding the affected person with stimuli.
It can also be difficult for relatives and friends to stand by someone with depression – which is why there are also various support services available to people in the immediate vicinity.
