Therapy
Depression is usually treated with medication to restore the balance between the messenger substances serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. So-called antidepressants are used for this purpose. These are divided into different groups, including The effect of the antidepressants only sets in after 1-2 weeks, but side effects can occur immediately.
In addition to the therapy with medication, psychotherapy also plays a major role, the aim being to reduce the behavioral and thought patterns that arise in the course of the depression. Psychotherapy can have many different contents and can be carried out either in individual or group therapy. Further treatment options are offered by physiotherapy, in particular with active measures such as exercise therapy or group therapy, light therapy, especially for winter depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation, whereby the nerve cells in the brain are stimulated, sleep deprivation and electroconvulsive therapy as part of an inpatient stay for severe depression.
The exact form of therapy for the individual patient depends on the severity and cause of the depression.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- Neuroleptics
- St. John’s wort preparations
Symptoms
The symptoms of depression are manifold and often not immediately apparent at first sight.Among the leading symptoms are: In addition, symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, reduced appetite, low self-esteem and feelings of guilt can also occur. If there are at least 2 main symptoms and additionally 2 secondary symptoms, one speaks of a depression. A distinction is made between mild, moderate and severe depression.
A depression is usually recognized by an attentive environment of the person concerned, which perceives the changes in behavior. Physiotherapy can be a good addition to the therapy of depression. Through physical activities and relaxation measures during therapy, patients are not only motivated by the positive effects of the training, but are also brought out of their self-chosen isolation through social contact, which additionally facilitates the way back into a normal life. The contents of the physiotherapy of depression are therefore mainly physiotherapy, massages, relaxation techniques, movement therapy and group therapy.
- A depressed mood, which is accompanied by an inner feeling of emptiness and coldness
- Joylessness
- Loss of interest in things that were important in the past
- Lack of drive
- Easy exhaustion, whereby the affected persons can motivate themselves only with difficulty to something
