Svitlana Moroz: Depression is not a verdict


At some point we begin to feel a decline in strength and spirit. So depression enters our lives ….
It becomes impossible to sit in an apartment or office, during the day constant drowsiness, in the evening you just fall off your feet, but you can not sleep properly, the mood is “zero”.We all go through not very happy periods in our lives, we can experience this. Depression begins when emptiness and despair completely fills you and it lasts for weeks and months.Some people think that depression is not serious. But now depression is a fairly common disease, affecting both men and women, young and old, and even children. Every tenth person in the civilized world is exposed to this disease. Symptoms of depression can vary, but they persist for weeks or months and interfere with work, family and social life.

Psychological symptoms of depression:
– continuous low mood, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness;
– low self-esteem, tearfulness, guilt;
– irritability and intolerance towards people;
– lack of interest in the usual activities;
– thoughts about the absurdity of existence and even suicide.

Physical symptoms of depression:
– sleep disturbances, slowness, inhibition of movements and speech;
– changes in appetite and weight, bowel dysfunction, unexplained pain;
– lack of energy and lack of interest in sex, changes in the menstrual cycle.

Social symptoms of depression:
– reduction of productivity, social activity, avoidance of contacts;
– lack of desire to communicate even with family and friends;
– indifference to hobbies and entertainment, tension in relationships.

Mental symptoms of depression:
– slow thinking, difficulty concentrating;
– difficulties in making decisions;
– obsessive thoughts (unfounded fears, doubts).

The very nature of depression often prevents a person from seeking help. Do not delay! The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you will find a way to recover.

Check yourself for the DEPRESSION

I offer you a brief test for possible depression.
Put a plus sign next to the question number if your answer is yes, and a minus sign if your answer is no.
1. I often feel tired.
2. I constantly feel weak.
3. It is difficult for me to fall asleep.
4. During the night I wake up several times.
5. I do not succeed in many things in life.
6. Sex life does not bring me pleasure.
7. Life leads me to a dead end.
8. My mood is usually always depressed.
9. Little things irritate me more and more
10. Sometimes it seems to me that it is better to die.

You answered ten not very pleasant questions. Now count the pros.
Ideally, you should have no pluses. 3 positive answers to these ten questions can be considered acceptable.
If you have 3 pluses out of 10, you can assume that you do not have depression.
If you have 4 to 7 pluses, you have moderate depression.
If you scored 8, 9 or 10 pluses, it is definitely depression.
If you answered yes to the last three questions, it is already a pronounced depression. You need to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist.

ANTIDEPRESSIVE TIPS
You can overcome depression! But if the fight against the disease is limited to taking pills and visiting doctors, the path to recovery will stretch for many months or even years. To get back in shape as soon as possible, you need to actively include “antidepressant measures” in everyday life.
Switch attention. Depression is characterized by obsessive thoughts. If you feel that the same memories are scrolling in your head again, switch your attention to any subject. Lift a pebble from the ground, examine it, twist it in your hands, think about what it looks like. In a few minutes the gloomy thoughts will recede.
Don’t keep emotions to yourself. The requirements to “take yourself in hand”, “hold the blow” and “do not stick” only drive a person into an even deeper depression. If you want to cry – cry, you want to shout – shout, you want to brawl – beat the sofa cushion.
Rejoice in yourself. Start keeping a diary in which you will celebrate pleasant moments, even if they were fleeting and insignificant. Pay attention to what pleases you most often, and strive for it.
And of course go in for sports or creativity.

Svitlana MOROZ,
Head of the Regional Center for Psychosomatic Disorders on the basis of the psychoneurological department “Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital named after Mechnikov»