A gloomy mood. Don’t feel like doing anything. Being fed up with having everything and everyone. Preferably wanting to crawl away. A feeling that just won’t go away. A dip? Or maybe depression.
The symptoms
Depression, a difficult concept. When are you depressed, or when are you just feeling down? Below are a number of symptoms that may occur with depression.
- Loss of self-respect
- Reduced productivity
- Persistent fatigue
- Feeling, often a feeling of fear
- Thought disorders
- Disturbances in eating, sleeping and any sexual needs
- Physical complaints, such as constipation or diarrhea.
Diagnosis & treatment
If you have been living with the symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, it is advisable to visit your doctor. The GP is the first point of contact and the GP can assess the seriousness of the situation. After the consultation with your GP, we will determine which treatment is suitable for you.
Watchful waiting
Previously, all patients who may be depressed were put on a waiting list for treatment and therapy. Nowadays it is done differently (at most general practitioners). If you can still function reasonably and the complaints have been present for less than three months, the watchful waiting process will be started. The doctor will not prescribe any medication for you, but will give you tips to make your life a little more sunny. He will also see you every week at a consultation hour. This is a process of several weeks. If there have been improvements after those weeks, the process will continue and the treatment will be gradually reduced; if the complaints have remained the same, other treatments will be considered.
Self-help
You can also try to get your own depression under control by following certain guidelines.
What caused the depression? Can you talk to someone close to you about it? Acceptance Go to bed at normal times Do not become isolated Get enough exercise
Wait before making important decisions (think of moving)
Talk therapy
Talking is often a good way to face your problems or just vent. This can be done with your partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, but also with your GP.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a therapy to separate emotions from the situation. People with depression often dwell too much in the past, or look too much to the future, so that they forget that they live in the here and now. Meditation is also part of Mindfulness.
Medication
The most common medication for depression is antidepressants. These medications influence and determine moods and feelings. The medication takes effect after approximately 2-4 weeks and must be used for 6-9 months for optimal effect. Your GP can determine which medication is suitable for you.
Light therapy
Light therapy is used to influence the day and night rhythm. This is often given to people with winter depression.
ECT treatment
A treatment that affects the brain by means of electric shocks. This treatment is only carried out after no medication has worked and is also uncommon.