Depression: what it is and how to treat it
Even today, talking about depression can generate social stigma (i.e., the negative association between a person or a group of people who have certain characteristics in common and a specific illness), whereas it is a widespread disorder: studies tell us that about 1 in 15 people in western countries develop a depressive episode at least once in their lifetime
The only way to break down the stigma, however, is to be informed, to understand, thanks to experts in the field, how best to deal with it.
Depression is indeed a condition that can be treated and from which one can recover.
What it is and the different types of depression
Depression is one of the mood disorders, and the term ‘depression’ is usually used to refer generically to any depressive condition.
In reality, according to the cataloguing of the main diagnostic manual in use (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, also known as ‘DSM-5’), depressive disorders are different and can be distinguished on the basis of either symptomatology or aetiology (i.e. causes).
Types of depressive disorders according to symptoms
In the types of depressive disorders categorised by symptoms, we find:
- major depressive disorder (or major depression)
- persistent depressive disorder (or dysthymia);
- other specified or unspecified depressive disorder.
Depressive disorders subdivided by cause
The second case refers to:
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- depressive disorder associated with/due to another physical condition;
- iatrogenic depressive disorder, i.e. induced by substances and/or drugs.
What are the symptoms of depression
Depressive disorders can present with a rather heterogeneous symptomatology and with different levels of severity depending on the specific disorder, which includes:
- depressed mood
- cognitive and/or motor dysfunction;
- exhaustion;
- loss of attention;
- absence/decrease of interest in leisure activities;
- sleep disorders;
- suicidal thoughts.
It is possible that these symptoms may be associated with additional psychic symptoms, such as panic attacks and anxiety, complicating the patient’s picture.
It is also crucial to note that those suffering from depression are more likely to use, and abuse, alcohol and drugs, often in a vain attempt at self-medication.
What are the causes of depression
To date, it is not known what the specific causes of depressive disorders are; the most widely recognised theory is that there is a multifactorial origin, whereby both the environment and genetic heritage play a key role in the onset of these illnesses.
They can occur at any age, most often during adolescence and between the ages of 20 and 30.
There is a prevalence in the female population, but, again, the reason for this is not scientifically known to date.
How the diagnosis is made
As far as diagnostic aspects are concerned, the key element is symptomatology, both in terms of severity and duration.
For major depression, for example, the basic condition is that at least five symptoms, among those mentioned above and others, are present on a daily basis for two consecutive weeks.
In persistent depressive disorder, on the other hand, depressive symptoms, at least 2, must have been present for at least 2 years, without remission.
In addition to clinical criteria and the identification of symptoms, specific tests can also be used to make the diagnosis.
Various solutions are available for the treatment of depressive conditions today
Innovative therapeutic techniques are available in several areas, such as
- drug therapy;
- light therapy (LT);
- TSD and LT in resistant depression (unipolar and bipolar);
- total sleep deprivation (TSD);
- somatic therapies (TMS – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, tDCS – Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, ECT – Electroconvulsive Therapy).
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