Nowadays more than ever a lot of people ask for help regarding depression. On the one hand it’s quite good, because many people know that such state does not disappear in itself, but it needs a treatment. On the other hand doctors are worried about the growth of this disorder, as well as about the necessity not only to reveal depression but also to remove its causes. These reasons may include such chronic diseases like diabetes, heart-diseases, atrophic arthritis, etc. In its turn, depression strengthens pains, restricts curing possibilities, and worsens living conditions. Besides, by depression, which is accompanied by hypertension and diabetes, can take place brain’s abnormalities and nerves` functioning. Chronic pains may cause the depression in itself.
Very often depression is accompanied by chronic diseases. It is considered, that one third of all patients with serious medical problems suffers from a depression. Thus after infarction it is observed by 40 – 65% of the patients, by ischemic disease – 20%, after the stroke – from 10 to 27%, by diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis – from 20 to 30 %.
It is natural, that chronic diseases cause the disturbance of daily routine, especially if there is no possibility to continue the work. In this case symptoms` appearance may be imperceptible for others and patient itself, that’s why it is necessary to know such symptoms in order to take appropriate measures. There are some of them.
- The constant state of depression, sadness, anxiety, nervousness or indifference.
- The inability to enjoy life or its positive moments.
- Loss of weight and appetite
- Insomnia, early awakening or on the contrary, drowse in the morning
- Impatience
- Reduction of vital power and chronic tiredness
- Feeling of helplessness and pessimism
- Feeling of own otioseness and unjustified guilt
- Difficulties with concentration, memory and with taking decisions
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts
If you notice some of these symptoms by your relatives, discuss with a doctor what measures can be taken. The specialist in fundamental illness (for example in diabetes or arthritis) can not often to diagnose the depression himself, but he should connect the patient with a psychiatrist. In many cases qualified treatment of depression can relieve clinical the course of arthritis or recover health after infarction.
In case of unimportant depression doctors recommend psychotherapy like a first stage of the treatment. Among them the most efficient is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT. It helps the patient to recognize negative ideas and some behavioral reactions and replace them with positive. Usually the course of treatment is not very long – about 10-20 weeks, and is defrayed by medical insurance. Quite often psychotherapy goes with drug therapy, which yields tangible results, especially by acute form of a depression.
The most commonly are used the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). This group includes:
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
An other class of antidepressants (SNRI) is also connected with a heightened content of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain – venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). So-called tricyclic antidepressant, previously widely used for depression treatment, now are not recommended for people elder 65 because of their side effects, particularly their abilities to cause cardiac arrhythmias.
Tags: anxiety, Celexa, chronic diseases, chronic tiredness, Citalopram, concentration, Cymbalta, diabetes, Duloxetine, Effexor, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, heart-diseases, helplessness, impatience, insomnia, Lexapro, memory, norepinephrine, otioseness, Paroxetine, Paxil, pessimism, Prozac, sadness, serotonin, Sertraline, SNRI, SSRI, suicidal, Venlafaxine, Zoloft