Osteopathy
Osteopathy is not a recognized treatment concept for the treatment of depression. Also the study situation regarding effectiveness is very thin. Furthermore, osteopaths do not have to be medical doctors. In this respect, osteopathy is not a useful concept for the treatment of depression according to the current state of knowledge. It should therefore only be used as a supplement to drug and psychotherapeutic therapy.
Prognosis
Usually, episodes or phases of depression last about 7 months without therapeutic help. Therapeutic help can reduce this time frame to about 2 months (for half of the patients). After about 4 months, about 80% of patients usually feel significantly better.
In 10% of the patients, a bad, permanent (chronic) course can occur. The risk of experiencing a worse course of the disease increases if the age of the first disease is well before the age of 35. It is also unfavorable if there is a “tendency” to depression in the family (genetic disposition). Permanent social or occupational stress or disturbances in conflict management can also lead to an unfavorable course or to an increased risk of relapse.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by therapists experienced in depression. These are of course psychiatrists but also psychotherapeutically experienced psychologists. Of course, there are also a large number of general practitioners who are certain of the diagnosis, but in case of doubt, the specialist should be consulted.
The most important step in making a diagnosis is the so-called diagnostic interview. Furthermore, there are a large number of questionnaires with which the severity of the illness can be determined. Of course there is not only the simple depressive illness, but such a disorder can also be related to physical (somatic) diseases.
Here one can especially think of: Also with drugs, which are used for the therapy of physical diseases, depressive episodes can occur as side effects. There are different drugs. The most important groups of drugs are mentioned here: It should be noted, however, that one should never stop taking medication without consulting the prescribing doctor only if a side effect is suspected!
Tell your doctor about new symptoms, but do not treat yourself! Other concomitant diseases – such as mania – must always be taken into account when choosing medication.
- Tumor Diseases
- Brain diseases
- Metabolic disorders
- Respiratory diseases
- Hormone Disorders
- Cytostatics
- Heart medication to control high blood pressure or arrhythmia
- Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium)
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pill
- Cortisone
