Quite often, situations arise in people’s lives that unsettle them, when everything doesn’t go according to plan and doesn’t go well. A person becomes upset, he feels sad, sad, and believes that he is depressed. However, in most cases this is absolutely not the case. Only a doctor can diagnose depressive disorder.
What is depression, what are its causes, symptoms and treatment?
We will try to figure this out in our article.
What is depression?
Don't think it's just a bad mood or apathy.
If you have blues and despondency, this does not mean that there is depression. In fact, this is a disease that is characterized by serious changes in the biochemical processes of the human brain. Signs of the disease may persist for more than two weeks, while ordinary frustration or sadness disappears much sooner. In the absence of timely treatment for severe depression, the condition drags on for years and develops into an intractable chronic form. It often happens that a person does not even realize that he is sick. It is important to understand that treatment of neuroses and depression is necessary, this should be done by a specialist with extensive experience in this field. What is clinical depression , and why does it require treatment? The disease develops due to a disruption in the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for receiving positive emotions. The disease makes a person apathetic, he is rarely in a good mood, and most often has a pessimistic attitude.
Complications after recovery
The more severe the infectious disease, the higher the chance of complications after recovery. Thus, approximately a third of those who have recovered experience complications from the central nervous system and the psyche.
Many survivors talk about fatigue and malaise, difficulty finding words, remembering, and decreased concentration. Some describe their condition as a kind of fog after COVID-19. Researchers report that one in three people regularly experience headaches and dizziness, loss of smell and taste, and muscle weakness.
“Many negative psychological reactions appear after recovery,” Olga Markina shares her experience. “Sometimes symptoms do not appear immediately, but several months after recovery. Patients experience malaise, drowsiness, and decreased stamina. Many people experience anxiety and fear of re-infection, even to the point of hypochondria and phobia.”
A professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland reports that he believes that in about 30-50% of those who recover, there is an increased risk of future mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Also, about half of people who had symptoms of coronavirus suffer from insomnia and depressed mood.
Recent studies say that one in ten coronavirus survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder, and a third develop depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, 54% of people develop chronic fatigue syndrome within three months of infection.
A new but not yet peer-reviewed study reports that people who recover from coronavirus are more likely to experience intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, parkinsonism, Guillain-Barré syndrome, dementia and insomnia than those who recover from other common infections, including influenza.
Causes and symptoms
The reasons for the development of this disease can be regular stress, psychological trauma, various unpleasant situations and events, problems in relationships with loved ones, the opposite sex, psychological violence in childhood or adulthood. However, such a deviation in the psycho-emotional state is not only a consequence of injuries, it is also various changes at the physical level. In particular, patients have a lack of vitamin D, iron and some other microelements and biologically active substances.
In addition, the development of the disease is largely influenced by hormonal disorders and diseases of the endocrine system. Quite rarely, the disorder occurs as a side effect of taking medications, but this is usually prescribed in the instructions. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a lack of sun; in the fall and spring, many people experience exacerbation of mental disorders.
Will depression go away or is it forever?
If the disease lasts for a long time, many people begin to fear that they will never be able to get rid of it. Is it so? If the disease is mild, you can cope with it yourself. Sooner or later a person will experience a traumatic situation, reevaluate it, change his attitude towards the event and recover. In some cases, the use of medications leads to a bad mood, but after their withdrawal the condition returns to normal. Any psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist will tell you that treatment for depression is necessary. This will allow a person to get rid of obsessive thoughts and gain more positive thinking, which will increase the quality of life, and possibly its duration.
Without treatment for depression in women and men, the disease will progress, exacerbating the psycho-emotional state and causing the development of mental disorders, especially for older people. But even for young people the disease does not go away without a trace. You shouldn’t fight it alone, share your problems with loved ones and friends, look at them from the outside, listen to advice, consult a doctor for treatment of panic attacks, moderate and severe depression.
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How to avoid peptic ulcers
The basis for preventing the appearance of peptic ulcers, especially in people who have close relatives suffering from this disease, is a test for the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Now this can be done simply and inexpensively. A gastroenterologist will prescribe the optimal diagnostic method and assess the risk of developing a peptic ulcer in a particular patient. In addition, as mentioned above, an unbalanced diet, bad habits, stress, etc. contribute to the occurrence of ulcers. Accordingly, general recommendations for the prevention of not only ulcers, but also many other diseases, are advice to lead a healthy lifestyle, establish a diet, pay attention to the quality of food, excluding fast food and fatty, fried, spicy foods, do not abuse alcoholic beverages, don't smoke, be less nervous. If an ulcer has already been diagnosed, it is necessary to visit a gastroenterologist to determine the causes of its occurrence, determine the prognosis of the condition and the possibilities of individual prevention of exacerbation of this disease.
Modern methods of diagnosing and treating peptic ulcer disease make it possible to solve this problem as simply and quickly as possible.
If you notice symptoms of a peptic ulcer, do not put off visiting a gastroenterologist. Remember that an advanced ulcer, in addition to unpleasant painful sensations, can lead to other consequences - even death, which is possible if the ulcer perforates and bleeds from it.
Types of disorder
With the right methods, medications and treatment plan, the disease can be stopped and cured, regardless of the stage and duration of development. If the disorder is caused by the absence or deficiency of certain vitamins and substances in the body, the person’s condition will normalize as soon as the balance is restored. When treating endogenous or psychogenic depression, special complex therapy is required. In the first case, the disease is caused by a malfunction of the psyche, in the second – by traumatic events.
For example, an elderly woman can take the death of her husband to heart; the loss of a person with whom she lived hand in hand is very traumatic, which can cause the development of not only neuroses, but also dementia. In this case, doctors advise treating depression in women in a clinic.
Treatment for postpartum depression, which is very important for a young mother, is no less dangerous. During pregnancy and after childbirth, a huge number of changes occur in a woman’s body. Not everyone gets used to the new role right away; some are afraid of the oncoming responsibility; others are not confident in the support of their spouse. The result is mental disorder, panic attacks, unreasonable fears, breakdowns.
Today, specialists quite often treat bipolar depression. This disease is getting younger every year, but it should not be confused with a number of other abnormalities. Bipolar disorder is often confused with increased emotionality. If you feel the symptoms of this disease, call the clinic; today it is possible to both treat depression in a hospital in Moscow and undergo therapy on an outpatient basis.
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Diagnosis of peptic ulcer
Endoscopic examination
- the most informative method for diagnosing gastric and duodenal ulcers. It visually confirms the presence of an ulcerative defect, allows you to clarify its location, depth, shape, size, allows you to assess the condition of the bottom and edges of the ulcer, identify accompanying changes in the mucous membrane, perform a biopsy followed by a histological examination of the resulting material, which allows you to exclude the malignant nature of the ulcerative lesion. During the study, mucosal material is collected to identify Helicobacter pylori through cytological examination (microscopy). This technique is the most reliable for diagnosing this pathogen.
HELIC test
— non-invasive respiratory diagnostics of the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the body. A quick, simple, safe, painless and fairly accurate diagnostic method that determines the presence of the urease enzyme in exhaled air as a marker of the presence of this bacterium in the stomach.
X-ray research method
using a contrast agent - the images clearly reveal a direct sign of peptic ulcer disease - a “niche” (defect) on the contour of the mucous membrane.
Also, if indicated, the doctor may prescribe additional tests: general clinical and biochemical blood tests, stool examination, etc.
Treatment of anxiety-depressive disorder without antidepressants
Many people do not want to see a doctor because they think that only drug treatment for depression with antidepressants is possible. They have heard about the side effects and high risk of developing drug addiction, as well as various myths about the dangers of these drugs. The dangers of antidepressants are greatly overestimated. Do not think that in modern medicine there are only drugs and pills for treating depression. Fearing often far-fetched consequences, people turn to homeopathy for help, which, naturally, will not give any result other than a placebo.
Today, there are completely different and varied methods of treating depression, and in many cases it is possible to do without medications. As a rule, pills are not even the basis of treatment, but maintenance therapy during psychotherapy. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and begin effective treatment for depression in Moscow, you can do without medications.
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How to avoid allergies?
It is impossible to completely protect yourself from developing a mold allergy, but you can minimize the risk of its exacerbation. To do this you need to do the following:
- eliminate areas of moisture condensation, maintain low humidity levels (up to 35–50%) in rooms where there is a tendency for mold to grow; it is necessary to eliminate any water leakage and dampening of the walls;
- ventilate the room well;
- get rid of all pieces of furniture and textiles that smell like mold or have visible signs of mold infection;
- treat affected surfaces with mold-killing agents;
- when working with fallen leaves and hay, use a mask;
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and remove their skins.
Allergy to cold is manifested by local swelling, redness and itching of the skin, the formation of blisters, and rashes. It can cause swelling of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, which will be manifested by difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and cough. In severe cases, it can even lead to Quincke's edema!
How can you tell if you have a cold allergy?
Apply a piece of ice to the skin for a couple of minutes - if redness, blisters, or itching appear, there is a high probability that this is an allergic reaction. In this case, we recommend consulting with an allergist - the doctor will prescribe antihistamines and advise ways to prevent allergies.
To finally understand the causes of allergies, it is necessary to undergo a special allergological examination. If your problem is allergies, remember that you need to seek medical help not only at the time of exacerbation of the disease, but also during the period of remission. It is at this time that real help can be provided - nonspecific and specific hyposensitization.
How dangerous are antidepressants for the human body?
Are antidepressants dangerous to your health? People are as afraid of these drugs as they are of antibiotics. There are many myths around these medications. How dangerous are antidepressants really? First of all, you should understand that no doctor will prescribe you a potent drug without indications for it.
Modern medicines have a rather gentle effect on the human body, bringing great benefits to patients and bringing them closer to recovery much faster. The drugs affect the production of necessary neurotransmitters and compensate for the lack of serotonin and endorphins. As a result, within a couple of weeks the patient begins to feel many times better than before the start of therapy.
However, the positive effect of the tablets does not occur immediately; over the course of several weeks, the human body adapts, which is why some side effects occur. They often cause patients to stop taking medications because they feel like their condition is only getting worse. However, you should be prepared for the fact that these are not magic pills that will help you get rid of a serious illness overnight. Most medications have a cumulative effect.
A competent specialist knows in what dosages a particular drug should be taken. Most often, the dose is increased gradually, as the body gets used to it, which is why at the beginning of taking it the expected effect will be absent. It is important for patients to stay in touch with their doctor to inform him of any changes. If your health condition worsens, tell your doctor. If you follow the recommendations, the medications will only bring benefits and a significant improvement in your well-being.
Allergy
In the fall, seasonal allergies to mold appear, and cold allergies can also begin.
Mold is a fungus that grows in warm, moist environments. Favorite places for mold to appear are basements, bathrooms, window frames, air conditioner filters, that is, those areas where there is a high level of humidity and insufficient lighting. In the fall, more mold appears indoors due to the decrease in the amount of sunlight entering the apartment. Humidifiers make the problem even worse because they increase humidity in the home and create condensation zones, creating the perfect environment for mold to grow.
In addition, mold also grows outdoors - on fallen leaves, decaying plants and organic material, and its spores fly in the air. This is a test for allergy sufferers who work in the country, where September–October is the time for harvesting, cultivating beds, and making hay.
Antidepressant addiction – myth or truth?
It is impossible to say unequivocally that drugs for depression are evil. But also the fact that they are absolutely harmless. Medicine does not stand still, just like pharmacology. Medicines are constantly being improved and improved. Today, those medications that caused drug addiction and posed a real threat to health due to side effects are long gone. The latest generation of drugs is much safer than their predecessors.
In some cases, patients have to take medications for years, not because they become dependent, but because the treatment plan and indications require it. However, most often, when contacting specialists at an early stage of the disease, the use of drugs is not required, or a short course of treatment is required. The dosage is gradually reduced, which prevents the development of drug dependence. A person gradually gets used to living without medications.
However, the truth is that while most of these pills are banned from over-the-counter sales, some people circumvent the law and purchase them illegally. Why is this being done? The fact is that some drugs, when overdosed and used for a long time, can still be addictive. Some of the most common over-the-counter drugs include Lyrica and Fluoxetine (Prozac). When used for other purposes, for recreational purposes, the drugs can cause addiction, which can only be gotten rid of with the help of a narcologist.
You should not self-medicate, increase the duration of use and dose, this can lead to undesirable consequences and side effects. If you feel you cannot stop taking the drug, call your doctor. He can help you get rid of your addiction.
ARVI
As soon as it gets colder, people immediately appear around them with a “cold.” What we simply call a “cold” in medicine is called ARVI or acute respiratory infections. ARI (acute respiratory disease) or ARVI
ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) is the general name for the entire group of diseases that occur with predominant damage to the upper respiratory tract and general intoxication, which are caused by viruses
There are a large number of viruses that cause the disease, they are combined into one group - since the symptoms and treatment of the disease are similar. Only the influenza virus is included in a separate group because this disease is more severe than a regular viral infection, and the influenza virus itself spreads faster.
Is it possible to get rid of depression once and for all?
Is it possible to cure anxiety-depressive disorder? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally in the affirmative. The disease can progress in different ways and have many concomitant diseases of varying severity. Each individual case should be considered individually. In most cases, depressive disorder can be treated, but the risk that the disease will return or remain permanently cannot be ruled out. It is very important to monitor any changes and, if necessary and if there is a visible deterioration in the condition, immediately contact a psychotherapist.
Following your doctor's recommendations and taking preventive measures will help you avoid relapse. You need to get into the habit of doing sports, physical education, or at least gymnastics in the morning. Remember that no one will take care of you except you. Forget about smoking and alcohol, bad habits only provoke the development of depression. It is also important to maintain a sleep schedule; sleep less than eight hours leads to negative processes in the central nervous system and has an undesirable effect on the psyche. Avoid stress as much as possible.
How to avoid ARVI
Unfortunately, there is no 100% protection against ARVI. Moreover, for people with normal immunity, the norm is to get ARVI 1-3 times a year for an adult, up to 8 times for a schoolchild and up to 10 times for a preschooler. Moreover, this is not just normal, but even useful for maintaining the immune system in good shape.
The immune response to invading respiratory viruses is a kind of “reserve troop exercise.” To fight the virus, a certain cascade of immunological reactions is launched, during which interactions between various immune cells are worked out. The next time a more formidable enemy appears, the immune system will respond faster and more effectively.
But this whole theory, of course, is little consolation at a time when a cold ruins your plans and puts you to bed with a headache, runny nose and cough. Therefore, it still makes sense to do everything possible to reduce the risk of disease. How can I do that?
There are three main causal components in the development of any cold: contact with infection, hypothermia, and stress. In each individual case of illness, all three factors are always present, but one of them predominates. In order to increase your resistance to respiratory viral infections, you must follow simple, but at the same time complex rules for many modern people:
- Maintain a healthy regimen: get enough sleep (an adult's sleep duration should be at least 7–8 hours a day), move more, and strengthen yourself.
- Do not smoke or abuse alcohol.
- Eliminate foci of chronic infection (check your teeth, tonsils, digestive tract), since parasitism and intoxication sharply reduce the body's reserve capabilities.
- Take vitamin-mineral complexes in the autumn-winter-spring period.
- During seasonal outbreaks of ARVI, add onions, garlic, ginger, and lemons to your diet.
- Maintain humidity indoors at home and at work; dry mucous membranes are much more susceptible to infection; ventilate the premises more often.
- Avoid contact with patients with respiratory diseases; during an outbreak of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, minimize your stay in places with large crowds of people.
- During ARVI epidemics, wash your hands more often and use local saline solutions to rinse your nose.
- Use aroma lamps with eucalyptus, fir, and pine oils.
- Try to switch to a balanced diet without processed foods, with an increase in the proportion of vegetables, fruits, and fish in your diet.
- Monitor regular bowel movements: the body needs to get rid of toxins and waste products in a timely manner, otherwise it will be busy only with detoxification and will not be able to resist infection.
- If possible, take general massage courses at least 2 times a year.
How can the doctor help?
There is a huge mistrust of doctors in our country. The rather low level of medicine in the regions, lack of funding, low salaries of doctors, and with it a negligent attitude towards work also have an impact. Of course, there are good and bad doctors and clinics; if you do not trust budget institutions, contact a private center.
If you have symptoms of the disorder, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist. A specialist will be able to quickly recognize the disease, carry out diagnostics and take tests, examine the patient and draw up an individual psychopharmacological treatment plan. Clinical psychologists at our center can also make a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Quite often our patients experience alcoholic depression due to prolonged abuse of alcoholic beverages. “Center for Healthy Youth” has all the capabilities, experience and necessary resources to eliminate all symptoms of the disease and normalize the psycho-emotional state of the patient.
Many people are afraid of psychologists. “Am I crazy?” – can often be heard from patients. However, neuroses and depressive states do not mean that a person is mentally ill, and he will be admitted to a mental hospital and registered. When contacting a private center, people are treated completely anonymously. Even if you go to a public clinic, you will not be registered at the dispensary. Specialists do not have the right to disclose the diagnosis or provide information about the patient’s condition to third parties, since this is a medical confidentiality. A person can go through the treatment process completely calmly. Quite often, an experienced doctor will only need to conduct psychotherapy sessions in order to achieve stable remission. Personal communication with a doctor and following his recommendations is all that is needed for a speedy recovery. You should not prescribe medications yourself, it can end badly.
If you feel increasing symptoms of depression, you should not wait for a miracle and live with it for years, there is a way out, modern techniques and the latest drugs will help you cope with the disease. Doctors will help you regain the joy of life even with chronic pathology.
