General information
Major operations are perceived by almost everyone as very stressful. Often the physical complaints are so in the foreground of the event that the psyche of the affected person can easily be forgotten. Unfortunately, in many hospitals mental health and coping with operations are neglected.
Such impairments can have a strong influence on the progress of recovery. In this context one often speaks of postoperative depression. In psychology and psychiatry in German-speaking countries, the term has not yet become established. In the USA, on the other hand, research into the exact causes of depression after surgery has been going on for some time.
Definition
Strictly speaking, the actual concept of postoperative depression does not yet exist in professional circles. However, the phenomenon is sufficiently well known! Ultimately, postoperative depression is a reaction to a severe strain in a person’s life.
It is therefore more generally referred to as an adjustment disorder, also known as reactive depression. In contrast to, for example, manic depression, a concrete connection between an event (operation) and the symptoms can be established. Conversely, it can be assumed that without an operation no depression would occur in the respective patient.
Central symptoms can be depressed mood, joylessness, loss of drive or loss of interest. Those affected are very often not able to put their emotional situation into words. They report a strange “emptiness” and numbness.
The diminished interests usually affect all areas of life, be it private, professional or daily political events. For example, personal personal hygiene can also be severely neglected. Patients also often have a “compulsion to brood“, i.e. their thoughts revolve continuously around the same topic without finding a solution.
Relatives report that their affected relatives withdraw more and more. Visits to hospitals are hardly noticed and conversations become increasingly difficult. Typically, the need for sleep increases enormously.
Some patients basically sleep through the whole day! Eating habits often change, so that either there is no appetite at all or people eat all the time. Actually simple decisions such as the choice of breakfast can no longer be made and result in great indifference.
Postoperative depression or simply exhausted? Many patients and relatives are uncertain when it comes to the distinction between postoperative depression and “upset” or “exhaustion”. After all, many people automatically feel unwell when they think about operations or hospitals.
When described symptoms occur, many people blame the operation and resulting physical discomfort. For example, loss of appetite is explained by side effects of the medication, fatigue by the aftermath of the anaesthetic, or listlessness by pain in the operating area. To a certain extent, these descriptions are often correct.
Major operations are an enormous physical challenge, but if they exceed a certain level or proportion, postoperative depression can be considered as a diagnosis. Of course, the time frame is also crucial. If the symptoms occur immediately after the operation and subside within a month, there is no need to worry. However, if the symptoms last longer, perhaps even years, post-operative depression may be considered.
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