Depression and anxiety are two problems that often go hand in hand and are connected to each other. We often speak of anxious-depressive syndrome or anxious depression, this is precisely because the two disorders are related to each other. In fact about 30% of depressive states occur much earlier in the form of anxiety.
What is Depression?
We all have some bad days from time to time, but luckily it does not happen because we are depressed but due to external events such as problems at work or emotional, which cause a drop in mood. It can happen to anyone, while about 15% of the population actually suffer from depressive disorders .
So depression is a mood disorder, it can be more or less accentuated and more or less severe, and there are various types of depression.
Let’s step through some useful information on depression.
Symptoms can include:
- Persistently low mood
- Lack of interest and pleasure in daily activities
- Feelings hopeless, helpless, worthless or guilt
- Having suicidal or death thhoughts
- Change in your sleep routines and lack of energy
- Difficulty in thinking, remembering, or concentrating and making decisions
- Significant loss or weight gain
- Negative self-perception and thoughts
So pay attention when some typical symptoms of depression are also accompanied by physical symptoms, the most obvious are migraines and headaches.
How Long Does Depression Last?
Depressive episodes have a duration that varies according to the severity of the type of depression and how it is followed and addressed.
Through appropriate therapy, whether it is pharmacological or psychotherapeutic or natural, the duration of depression is not however a few days, but the symptoms can improve in 3-4 months , even if obviously not all patients respond in the same way to the therapies.
Problems Caused by Depression Can Include:
- Relationship or personal problems with family and friends
- Physical health problems.
- Side effects of antidepressant drugs.
- Inability to participate in hobbies and activities
- Motivation limited to the desire to do anything
- Limited ability to work, lost promotion and career loss.
Depression Cures
You can not resort to the use of drugs lightly, but it is necessary to evaluate case by case with the help of a good psychologist and psychotherapist, especially if there is evidence of major depression.
Obviously in some cases the help of drugs can assist psychotherapy as the drugs for depression work through “chemical stimulation” of the nerve networks, and some anti-depressants also help in cases with chronic pain.
There are also other natural methods to combat depression without drugs or which can in any case assist psychotherapy during treatment. These methods range from the use of herbs (phytotherapy) to acupuncture.
1. Psychotherapy
So psychotherapy comes into play , the only treatment that is truly effective today for depression as it helps to elaborate new thought patterns , a new way of thinking and dealing with life with its daily problems.
Being depressed therefore does not mean having a physical illness, it is not just “lack of serotonin”, but above all it is a signal that one of Your psychological needs is not sufficiently nourished and satisfied.
2. Anti-depressant drugs
Used mainly in the treatment of moderate and severe depression. They are the least used due to side effects.
- Amitriptyline
- Imipramine
- Nortriptyline
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
3. TMS Treatment
Transcranial magnetic stimulation also known as rTMS is a revolution in the way severe depression is treated. This innovative and non-invasive treatment can offer hope for ameliorative results where drugs and communication therapies have failed.
How RTMS Works
The rTMS treatment for depression works by stimulating the prefrontal cortex area of the brain. This area controls mood, motivation, and social skills. In particular, the left side of the prefrontal cortex is associated with positive feelings; and it is this area of the brain that is stimulated by rTMS.
Research shows that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an innovative treatment for depressive disorder.
The TMS therapy cost is affordable and treatment is painless, does not use medicines, does not involve hospitalization, and is performed in the privacy of a private doctor’s office. The treatment includes a first free and non-binding clinical visit with a specialist doctor during which a thorough screening of the patient will be performed (habits, types of drugs taken, any substances, etc.).
If at the end of the interview the doctor deems the patient suitable for the rTMS treatment, the stimulations can be started. The therapy is absolutely painless and the patient remains conscious throughout the session. Furthermore, at the end of the session, you can carry out all the activities normally carried out during the day.
4. Use of Ketamine to Treat Depression
Ketamine is a drug that was developed in 1962 for anesthesia. It is a drug widely used in modern medicine and is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential drugs. In 2019, the FDA approved the use of ketamine for refractory depression.
Research shows that about 70% of people with major depression who fail to improve when using a conventional treatment, respond well to ketamine treatment for depression. If you’re interested in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, ask your doctor about Ketamine Therapy for depression if you want to try it.
How Long Does Ketamine Take for Effect to Appear?
Most people get better in the first 24 hours after the first infusion. However, additional infusions may be necessary for the person to improve or feel the maximum effect of the treatment. Either way, in a maximum of two weeks, it is already possible to conclude about the effectiveness of the Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for depression.
Treat Depression with Relaxing Activities
Unplugging is essential for a healthy person, let alone in the case of depressed people. Abandoning oneself to other things without thinking and rethinking one’s state is regenerating for the brain functions .
There are many relaxation techniques to help you unplug and the most common ones include:
- Meditation
- Shiatsu
- Autogenic training
- Yoga
Natural supplements to fight depression
Before taking any supplement it would be useful to hear from your doctor, this is because you must first understand if there is an actual deficiency and also evaluate the possible side effects.
In cases of non-serious depression, some useful elements to be taken into consideration as supplements to a balanced diet can be.
Zinc: It helps you to better support stress, you can find it naturally in eggs, meat, beans, etc., while among the most used supplements there is zinc citrate.
Types of B vitamins: They help to counteract stress and relieve nervous tension, help concentration, decrease irritability, and promote night rest.
Vitamin C: We all know that it is an antioxidant, but research done in a New Zealand study sanctioned it is also useful to improve mood.
Vitamin D: The concept is that vitamin D helps transform tryptophan into serotonin, the happiness hormone, and consequently is useful in fighting depression.
Getting Out of Depression
- Rediscover manual work
Try to cultivate a small vegetable garden, or particular flowers or citrus fruits, in short, something that needs your intervention, your presence, every day.
In this way, you will regain self-esteem, especially because you will see concrete results due to your actions. If you don’t like to cultivate you can paint, sew, build models, in short, whatever you want, the important thing is to do.
- Think for yourself
Every now and then a little bit of healthy selfishness doesn’t hurt, think about satisfying some of your whims every now and then, do what you think without always listening to others.
- Your psycho-physical well-being will benefit
Stop complaining. Why waste energy crying?
Use these energies to do something positive. Also, if you always feel sorry for yourself, you risk that others will push you away. There is no need to complain to cure depression.
- Get some sunlight
You know that without sunlight, natural light, you will not be able to synthesize the vitamin D necessary for the assimilation of calcium, for the well-being of our bones and teeth.
The light also helps regulate the circadian rhythm in order to sleep well. In short, light is life, it is a natural antidepressant, go out and use it.
- Don’t put it off.
If you want to do one thing, do it! Do not delay, do not stand there thinking about it, take your life back in hand, and throw yourself. Don’t always rationalize things, sometimes even do something with no apparent purpose, just have fun.
- Play sports.
Physical activity is useful both for keeping fit but also for keeping anxiety and stress under control.
As long as you practice a sport you only think about doing it well, all negative thoughts disappear, and your mind will thank you, not to mention that physical activity promotes the production of dopamine and serotonin, useful for fighting depression.
- Keep the sugar away.
Eating a nice piece of cake could give you a feeling of relief, but in reality, sugar, acting on insulin , can also cause mood swings, not positive if you suffer from depressive states.
It is important to support the depressed patients and to be aware that depression can be defeated without prejudice, nor fear. I hope you liked this article? Please share it on your social media channels.