Symptoms
Depression can express itself in many different ways and differ in the severity of the illness. Depression can also manifest itself in a different way in men or older people or adolescents and children. The predominant symptoms are a depressed mood and a general lack of strength or physical and mental exhaustion without any previous exertion.
Life seems senseless to those affected and they are no longer able to feel joy or to show interest in things that they would have enjoyed in the past. Interpersonal relationships are abandoned or impaired because the person affected is often no longer able to understand or respect the feelings of the other person, while at the same time experiencing his or her own lack of feeling. Feelings of guilt and shame also play a role, as one perceives oneself as worthless and as a burden for others.Also, long-ago small misdemeanors become a source of endless reproaches and self-reproaches.
The desire for closeness and security is still present in some cases, with a simultaneous inability to demand it and the often exaggerated fear of abandonment and rejection. Disturbances of normal thinking can also occur, this is often slowed down and monotonous. One is fixated on small incidents or past events and does not accept new thoughts and suggestions.
In addition, the attention is noticeably reduced. Sleep disturbances, appetite disorders, an indeterminate physical uneasiness (especially stomach and headaches) and the loss of sexual desire are also common. It is worth mentioning the connection between depression and pain, as this is one of the most common reasons why depressed patients actually consult their doctor.
In this case the pain masks the depression. There is a connection between the messenger substances serotonin and dopamine, depression and the transmission of pain in the spinal cord. Both messenger substances are released by the brain in order to dampen the pain transmission in the spinal cord.
This played an important role in early human development, because despite pain one often had to fight for bare survival, so the pain should be a warning signal without being paralyzing at the same time. In addition, they also play a role in mood and drive – in the case of depression they are often diminished. For this reason, depression should always be considered in the case of indeterminate pain and, conversely, the treatment of pain should not be forgotten when treating depression.
A gender-dependent difference in the severity of depression can also be observed. For example, the proportion of men suffering from depression was long underestimated and depression was treated as a “women’s disease”. One reason for this is that women go to the doctor far more often than men (especially with psychological problems), who often do not want to be weak.
On the other hand, the symptoms in men are also differently pronounced and therefore more difficult to recognize, as they do not fit into the usual pattern of depression. Male patients are often irritable, feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable in their skin – but this is just another form of self-doubt, negative thoughts and feelings of guilt and shame that most depression sufferers have to deal with. Their ability to withstand stress is diminished, they can freak out at the slightest provocation and are often unable to stop these attacks, even if they find them inappropriate.
The body reacts to such attacks – the head turns red, sweat breaks out, the heart races, breathing becomes difficult and trembling and dizziness can occur. In general, it is more common for depression to manifest itself as physical complaints in men, where no underlying cause can be identified. In particular, pain that occurs for no reason and for which no exact place of origin can be determined should be clarified additionally with regard to the diagnosis of depression.
In children, one should pay more attention to behavior that differs from that of their peers, such as an extremely anxious and negative view of the future or the conscious dissociation and general unwillingness to play with peers. Symptoms similar to those of adults can occur, especially sleep disorders, a general bad mood, the inability to complete thoughts or tasks and listlessness. An irritable mood can also manifest itself through tantrums and rebellion against parents. But also an increased physical restlessness, including the inability to sit still, or physical complaints such as indeterminate pain and general malaise can occur.
