There are two main proven ways to treat depression: medical therapy and psychotherapy. The most effect gives the combination of 2 these methods. The application only of pharmaceutical substances, according to controlled studies in the field of pharmacotherapy of depressions, leads to expressed improvement only in 60-65% of cases. It means that by 35-40% of depressed patients should be used various methods of psychotherapy.

But for achievement of that expressed improvement is required the long-term taking of antidepressants in quite high doses. Despite the relative safety of modern drugs it would be better to reduce the duration of their intake and dose as low as practicable, thereby minimizing side effects (sleepiness, lethargy, liver and stomach failure, etc.)

The optimum alternative for treating depression is a combination of antidepressants with a course of cognitive psychotherapy. In this case the improvement would be faster and perceptible, and most importantly – it will be received persistent effect of the treatment. Thanks to psychotherapy, the patient gets “powerful weapons” – with a help of psychotherapy he learns how to control his own negative emotions, to perceive the approaching of depression, to take necessary measures and even to prevent the return of the disease. In this case, the percentage of resistant cure is achieved in 98-99% of cases (according to reliable sources).

Cognitive therapy has proved itself in depression treatment, anxiety, phobias and panic attacks. At the heart of cognitive approach is the assertion: “Emotions and human behavior are determined by his world-view”. It means if a person in his subconsciousness has the conviction of “unfriendly world”, then his behavior and emotions will be the same: how can you feel good and comfortable in the place where you are beforehand treated badly?

But there are not a lot of people who can admit the existence of such conviction, and meanwhile just this opinion leads to development of anxiety and depression. The revelation of these basic facilities, its correction and developing of a new mode of thought is an aim which can achieve both psychotherapist and patient.

At the beginning of the treatment the patient is talked about the correlation of thoughts, emotions, behavior, by the example of his own experience. Next, he is learned to identify, track and fix his negative thoughts in a special “Diary of automatic thoughts.” After that, together with the therapist, the thoughts are analyzed and identified, irrational (incorrect and illogical). The special techniques with automatic thoughts are revealed as basic views: in our example it was conviction of «unfriendly world». The next stage – is a correction of irrational basic conviction and formulation of a new one, adequate and realistic.

During this work, the responsibility for own condition is gradually passed into patient’s hands. And by the end of the therapy the patient begins to play the role of the psychotherapist in relation to himself, calling in question own prognosis or conclusions, and skilfully propose an amendments.

As a rule, the course of cognitive psychotherapy consists of 15-25 sessions in the range from 1-2 times per week in an infant state, once a week in following stages, and around the bend it is possible to have meetings once in every week. After completion of the course is required a “booster therapy” – a psychotherapy appointment necessarily 3-4 times per year, in order to observe the situation and get further precise definitions and homework.

• I feel oppression, depression.
• Recently my appetite and weight have been changed.
• I feel anxiety and I have the heebie-jeebies.
• I cry a lot.
• I feel tired for no apparent reason.
• I do not get pleasure from my hobby.
• My thoughts are not as clear as before.
• My future seems joyless to me.
• I do not feel that my life is useful to other people.
• I believe that others would be better if I died.

If you have more than 5 statements, perhaps you’ve got a depression. The depression can become apparent in different ways. Different types vary from weak initiative, insignificant depression, tiredness and sleep disturbance, to oppressions, headaches, eating disorders, constipations, distemper and at last the apathy. Concrete depression’s displays are so different and individual that it is quite difficult to diagnose it correctly. The medicine distinguishes three types of depression:

• Depressions which caused by organic diseases, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, hormonal disorders, injuries.
• Endogenous depressions. This form of depression occurs from the inside, as a consequence of mental person’s predisposition. « Endogenous» – defined by deep, internal processes (including biochemical). Such depression brings peculiar tortures, because the patient is not able not only to feel joy, love and interest, but also grief, anger and compassion. Accordingly, this depression should be especially recognized in time, as it is well stopped with a help of modern antidepressants.
• Psychogenic depression. It arises from the subjective intolerable feelings because of difficult mental disorders, at that, emotions are so strong that they must be restrain. For different people, with a different personality type, such mental disorder can be differ in strength, content or duration.

Common for everyone is change in yourself, a change in the perception of your past and future, as well as around the world, where everything is seen in the pessimistic tones.

In particular, older people are disposed to depression, suffering from loneliness after the death of a spouse, loss of coevals, changes in habits or restrictions.

Depression deprives a person of the future, or orientations for it. Psychological trauma deprives people of hope and strength to see tomorrow, when the prospects offered only disadvantage, the expected sufferings, pain and despair. Everyone has his own trauma – divorces, separations, difficulties at work, financial difficulties, the suffering of homeless dog. You better know it how it is happens with you. In cases of depression caused by the traumatic events the effectiveness of drugs is minimal. The psychotherapy is here especially medically necessary, directing to comprehension of unsuccessful strategies, seeking of resources, comprehension of the real problems and causes of depression. Depression shows that there is something that oppresses the person, and he should remove it.

The man under the pressure of depression is not self-satisfied, he does not trust himself, does not want to see the reality and he loses his intensity.

Depression can often be linked to the disease, traditionally called psychosomatic.

What is more important, that «mild» depressions are quite normal, if they come after high stresses, so they allow the body to have a rest. But if they are delayed, it is a sign trouble. It is unreasonable to persuade the patient to relax in the cheerful society, to go to remote countries or to argue that everything is not so bad and it will be over.

There is no sense to tell that you also have experienced such situations or to require a patient that he take himself in hand and do not sink.

There is also no point to ignore the possibility of suicide and signs of preparation for it.

It makes sense to show the patient that he is loved, that people are considerate towards him and want to help him. Be ready to mood swings. Help him carefully to be oneself, to explore the history of his life, and together with him find true causes of mental disorders.

It is perfect when such assistance is rendered by a qualified psychotherapist.

Paradoxically, that in some cases, if you want to recover, you should not struggle against the depression, on the contrary, to fall into it, because only in the depths of your being you can find something that has been depressing you for a long time. In the East, depression is sometimes considered as gift of gods, because it allows and even forced to think about the meaning of the life, to seek answers to the question «Who Am I», «Why» and to be updated and re-open the joys and sorrows of this world. And if you go through depression with a guide, will be absorbed in it, so this trip will allow you to understand and to analyze all bereavements and teach you to cope with them.

Seasonal affective disorder can have the same symptoms as a depression, which are not connected with the certain season. It may be depressed mood, melancholy, anxious feeling, apathy, joylessness or hopelessness. Rarely these symptoms are more pronounced in the first half of the day, whereas to the evening the state becomes better.

More typical for seasonal affective disorder are considered other symptoms. Patients, suffering from seasonal depressions, parallel with depressed mood, anxious feeling and decreased activity, experience drowse and keen appetite during the whole day. During depression they consume more food which is rich in carbohydrates. They can also put on weight. As a rule, reduces the overall tone, but appears weakness and variety of unpleasant sensations in the body.

Asthenic symptomatology of seasonal affective disorder is following: feeling of weakness, flabbiness, souse and all-overishness. It may be different pains and unpleasant feelings in the body. The mental work decreases, the memory and attention worsen. It is significant that intensity of these symptoms practically do not depend on outside force and quite often they are more pronounced in the morning hours after awakening.

In development of seasonal affective disorder the important role plays metabolic serotonin – biologically active substance, which regulate mood.
Experimental researches have shown that in winter the content of serotonin lower than in summer. The significant regulator of serotonin is melatonin – an active material, which production depends on light quantity.

The classical approach of seasonal affective disorder treatment is light therapy. Besides, it has been proved high efficiency of antidepressants with a specific action on the exchange of serotonin in the brain. Prolonged use of these medicines allows not only cure developed depressive state, but also to prevent their future development. As by other depressions, the essential element of effective treatment is psychotherapy

The first steps on the road to depression treatment

1. Learn more about depression from the material of our website. Note what kind of symptoms you have and read about possible methods of depression treating. Here you can also read some questions that you perhaps should discuss with your doctor.
2. Ask for a professional – psychotherapist. He helps you to determine if you have depression and how can you cope with it.
3. Talk to your relatives or friends. Depression could distance you from them. Near of kin support you at this period and help to find a specialist. You are not required to be with depression face to face. After a conversation with your near relatives you feel better.

Doctor’s advice

The depression distorts the life perception and can cause shame, fear and guilt that one suffer from it. Many people suffer silently, feeling depressed. Some are afraid or ashamed of their feelings; others deceive themselves, underestimating the symptoms. The treatment of depression is put off.
Remember, that one of manifestation of the depression – is a sense of hopelessness. Perhaps it will not be easy to understand that something can help you, although usually depression treatment is effectively, but seeking help by a psychotherapist, you will make the first step for deliverance from depression.

After your description, you can ask psychotherapist following questions:

• “Do you think I have the depression?” (Even if you have some of above symptoms, only a doctor can determine the precise diagnosis)
• “What could cause the depression?”
• What should I do to get rid of depression?
• Should I consult with other specialists? (depression often combines with neurologic pathology). If so, could you advise someone?
• Should I go on vacation, decline all responsibilities, or somehow to change my lifestyle?
• How long can depression last?
• What consequences can appear, if not to start treatment right now?
• What treatment mode is preferable – drug therapy, psychotherapy or their combination (combined medication)?

How to get rid of depression.

The choice of depression treatment depends on: the type of depression, its origin (endogenous / psychogenic, caused by stress) symptoms, previous experience of treatment, portability of side effects, the individual characteristics of the patient.

By endogenous depression the main element of treatment – is antidepressants, which are selected individually in certain dosages.
By reactive depression the mandatory component of treatment – is psychotherapy.
For diagnosis and depression treatment the best way is ask for a psychotherapist – he will determine if you have the depression, its origin and how can you cope with it.

What can you do else to get rid of depression?

Self-regard – it’s an important part constitute part of depression treatment.

1. Do not take important decisions.
   Depression can prevent you to take an informed decision, because by depression a person perceives himself and outward things one-sided.
2. Try to avoid stresses.
   For the person suffering from depression, even insignificant load can be very heavy. Do not overstrain yourself even when feel that you have power – it can cause recrudescence.
3. Take care about your body.
   Depressed person often lose physical strength, feeling depleted. If you feel that you have physical strength – give your body some exercise stress, but not be over-diligent, start slowly walk or take care about flowers.
4. Eat regularly and with pleasure.
   If you have an appetite – do not deny yourself in tasty food. It will help you to recover a zest for life. By depression the immunity gets broken, so try to take more vitamins.
5. Avoid negative thoughts.
   If you have a negative thought – try to think about something pleasant, prepare a cup of tea, listen to the radio or call a friend.
6. Communicate with friends and relatives, even overcoming yourself.
   Your near of kin can be a source of support. They can help you to make a decision or solve problems, as well as by home working.
7. Do not be shy to report your psychotherapist about any problems or changes in your health.
   Your doctor will help deal with any problem, if he will know about it.
8. Do not take alcohol and drugs – they can cause degradation.
9. Try not to abuse the hypnotic drugs.
10. Talk to your near relations about nervousness – they will support you.

Depression Symptoms & Help : Ways to Get Rid of Depression


]]> http://depressionam.com/how-to-get-rid-of-depression/feed/ 0 http://depressionam.com/treatment-psychotherapy/ http://depressionam.com/treatment-psychotherapy/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:32:24 +0000 admin http://depressionam.com/?p=57 Depression can’t be treated without psychotherapy. The patients aspire themselves to this form of medical and psychological help. For a long time they hesitate to take medications, and starting with antidepressants they quite often stop pharmacotherapy. By virtue of helplessness and constant doubts, patients are usually suggestible. While reading annotations to one or another remedy, they easily find by themselves some side effects already in first days of the treatment. Besides, the patients suffering from depression have functional disturbances of internals, and thereby, they are really sensitive to side effects of this medication.

Many patients experience false alarm regarding constant dependence on antidepressants. Considerable part of patients, suffering from depression, belong to placebo-reactor, i.e. people who are easily susceptible even for pills, which do not contain some active pharmaceutical substances. All just-listed determine heighten interest of such patients in psychotherapy.

The telling argument, testifying the role of psychotherapy in depression treatment, are those experimental data, which show the importance of psychological factors in the formation of therapeutic resistance to medical products. The effective course of psychotherapy in the long term is possibly more useful than pharmacotherapy, because it teaches the patient. The last one acquires the skills to overcome the depression, learns to recognize its approximation and prevents its recurrence. According to the results of many studies, the normalization of endocrine indicators in the therapy of depression is achieved not only in the process of treatment with antidepressants, but also in psychotherapy. The influence of the psychotherapy on endocrine indicators are observed both in the case of its combination with pharmacological therapy, and in the case of using it as the only method of treatment.

In a number of cases, psychotherapy allows patients to adjust to reality with the continuing violations of affection, thinking and attitudes. With an independent therapeutic effect, psychotherapy promotes the optimal collaboration of the patient and physician, raises the efficiency of medical treatment, improves family relationships and professional status of the patient.

Frequent start of depression after acute trauma or prolonged stress leads to a persistent search of psychological reasons of its occurrence. This situation increases the desire of patients to psychological care. However, excessive revaluation of its capacity, unfortunately, can lead to a complete denial of psychotropic substances, formation of resistant and prolonged depression variants, cause her early exacerbations.

In respect to a doctor, the psychotherapy of depression first of all should be aimed at elimination of its symptoms. Some of them are more sensitive to psychotherapy, and other are relatively difficult to its impact. It is generally believed that by severe depressions psychotherapy’s possibilities are more limited than in cases of slight disease.

As psychotherapeutic targets are chosen mood disorders, paralogia, behavioral disorders, motivation and physiological symptoms. Among affective symptoms – are sadness, sense of guilt and shame and especially anxiety.

There are a number of general principles of operation which have a psychotherapist with a patient suffering from depression. Here the doctor’s control over his own feelings regarding to patient is very important, because of the possible sense of futility, anger, excessive fatigue and sympathy. Psychotherapist not only sympathizes with the patient, but he also carefully observes him, keeping some distance. During the therapy doctor should strictly regulates communicating time with patient and maintains the structure of the momentum to recovery. Active statements of the purposeful questions, confidence in the diagnosis, the real hope are basic rules of depression treatment. The studies have shown that hope, which was received from a doctor, is retrospective by patients and taken as an important help in overcoming a depression.

The peculiarity of work with a patient depression is not so much empathy, as understanding the condition, and in particular, the possibility of change of mood. Often patient aspire to «petrify» the psychotherapist by means of his endless waiting for assistance, and the latter makes an error, starting with theoretical explanations and searches of psychological reasons of depression. In fact, the psychotherapist must ensure that the patient drew attention to himself and seek adequate perception of his situation. A particularly undesirable conversation with the patient is about the symptoms of his condition. More important is to emphasize the dependence of the expression of different situations, to talk about the features and relationships with other people. Psychotherapist’s compassion is usually increases by patient the waiting for assistance, an attempt to ease the symptoms lead to its strengthening, consolation – to inconsolable. It is important to bring the patient to the need for self-help, but not comfort him, show him the importance to understand himself as he is.

For depression treatment it were proposed different methods of psychotherapy:

• Psychoanalysis
• Person-centered psychotherapy
• Existential therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• Reminiscence therapy
• Projection variations with time
• Relaxation training
• The therapy of social problems and other methods of psychotherapy.
• Including its mixed and eclectic variants.

According to the most researches the most effective method by depression treatment is cognitive therapy, focusing on correct mindset characteristics of patients suffering from depression.

]]> http://depressionam.com/treatment-psychotherapy/feed/ 0 http://depressionam.com http://depressionam.com#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:29:44 +0000 admin http://depressionam.com/?page_id=23 Unfortunately, most people suffering from depression do not understand that they are sick, and therefore do not consider necessary to seek for a medical help. They wonder: how to get rid of depression?

Nowadays many men of the street do not know how to treat depression effectively. However, the treatment of the first signs of depression trouble not only them. The effective help for depression is still not only the task of psychiatrists, but also psychotherapists. The successful depression treatment requires a biological therapy, psychotherapy and a number of social measures aimed to improvement of the patient’s status.

The spontaneous recovery by lingering depression is quite uncommon and forms about 10% of all cases. At that, the return of depression happens within the next 2-4 years.


The effectiveness of the depression treatment depends on its clinical presentation and on the adequacy of therapeutic intervention. The biological treatment of depression first of all includes pharmacological therapy. At the same time for the biological treatment of depression may be used: electroconvulsive therapy, sleep deprivation, phototherapy, dietetic therapy, phototherapy, efferent treatment methods and other biological modalities on the patient’s body. Among the pharmacotherapy of depression more often are used antidepressants, however during the therapy of this disease are also spread other medications: tranquilizers, neuroleptics, vitamins, hormones, antioxidants, the lithium, medicines that improve the metabolism in brain cells and influence the immune system.

It should be noted, that antidepressants can also be effective by the treatment of anxiety, impulsive obsessions, migraine, bulimia, vegetative crisis, and even by removal of different pains, because antidepressants usually raise pain threshold. The treatment of depression signs can be conducted with the help of psychotherapy. In order to get rid of depression patients aspire themselves to this form of medical and psychological aid. A great while, depressed patient can’t bring himself to ingestion, and starting the intake of antidepressants, he quite often ceases the pharmacotherapy of depression.

By virtue of helplessness and constant doubts, patients are usually suggestible and while reading the annotations of one or another drug, they easily find by themselves side effects in the first days of the treatment. Besides, depressed patients have functional disorders of internal organs and thereby are really sensitive to some side-effects. Many patients experience a false alarm living in constant dependence on antidepressants. The main part of the patients, suffering from depression, is a placebo – reactors, i. e. people who are easily responsive to even «blank tablets», which generally do not contain any active materials. All aspects listed above determine the heighten interest of such patients in the psychotherapy.

A major argument, which testifies the role of psychotherapy in depression treatment, is the experimental data, which show the importance of psychological factors in the formation of therapeutic resistance of depression to medical products. The effective course of psychotherapy in long-range outlook is likely more useful than pharmacotherapy, because it teaches the patient. The last one acquires the skills of overcoming depression. It learns to recognize its approximation, as well as to prevent its recurrence. According to the results of many studies, the normalization of endocrine indicators during the depression therapy is achieved not only by the process of treatment with antidepressants, but also by psychotherapy. The influence of psychotherapy upon the endocrine indicators is observed both in its combination with psychopharmacological therapy and in the case of its using like a single treatment.

In a number of cases, psychotherapy allows patients to adapt to real life. With an independent therapeutic effect, psychotherapy promotes the optimal collaboration of the patient and a physician. It also improves the efficiency of medical treatment, as well as family relationships and professional status of the patient.

The frequent depression after acute trauma or lingering stress leads to a persistent search of its origin. This circumstance strengthens the patients` aspiration for psychological help. However, an excessive overestimation of its abilities, unfortunately can lead to complete repudiation of psychoactive drugs, as well as to formation of resistant and lingering kinds of depression and to its early exacerbations. For patients the issue how to treat depression remains open.

From the doctor’s point of view the psychotherapy of depression should be primarily aimed at removal of depression symptoms. Some of them are more sensitive to psychotherapy, and other come relatively difficult under its influence. It is assumed that by severe depressions the possibilities of psychotherapy are more limited than in light cases. As targets of psychotherapeutic effects they choose mood disorder, behavioral disorder, motivational and physiological symptoms. Among affective symptoms - is sadness, feeling of guilt and shame and especially anxiety.


]]> http://depressionam.com/feed/ 0 http://depressionam.com/depression-questions-answers/ http://depressionam.com/depression-questions-answers/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:19:39 +0000 admin http://depressionam.com/?p=12 What is depression?

Depression – is a mental disease which is characterized by the disturbance of the mood.



What are the main symptoms of depression?

The most common symptoms of depression include:

• Joyless, depressed condition, loss of pleasure
• Disinterest
• Inability to concentration, amnesia.
• Inability to come to decisions, obsessive return to the same issues.
• Fear (before commonness or vagueness), inner agitation, anxiety.
• A sensation of weariness, lack of the energy.
• Disturbance of sleep
• Lack of appetite, weight loss
• The feeling of weight in the belly or in the chest
• Vegetative symptoms (dry mouth, constipation, sweatiness and so on.)

What can you do if your loved one is suffering from depression?

• You should not ignore or forbid patient complaints
• Do not make trivial or comforting speeches or banal whistlings in the dark.
• Do not try to amuse the sick man.
• Stress the momentary of the depression and offer the hope of its ending.
• Do not call upon the exercise of will by the sick man. Do not tell him: «you should pull yourself together», «you might have do it, if only you want it» etc.
• Do not make the patient feel helpless and guilty.
• Do not call upon such virtues like faith and responsibility.
• May depressed person not take decisions, especially very important.
• Be calmly and confidently with this person.
• Organize independently the doctor’s advice and accompany the patient
• Relieve the patient from his private and official contacts.
• Do not change cardinal patient’s habits
• Do not insist on the patient’s vacation, especially if there are no signs of pronounced depression.
• Show your sympathy and understanding, support the patient in performance of his vital and real tasks.
• Pay patient’s attention to everything what he succeeded to do. At that, do not show triumphal emotions.
• Look after regular patient’s daily routine
• Do not allow patient lie for a long time in the mornings, go to bed early and stay alone.
• Take care that patient look after himself
• Avoid assumed cheerfulness
• Do not reproach and rebuke
• Try to stimulate patient’s breathing
• Do not mention about past patient’s successes
• Do not self-medicate of the patient, ask for psychiatrist’s help.

How to treat depression?

Modern depression treatment includes:

• The use of biological treatment (first of all psychopharmacological medications). The requisite conditions for the effectiveness of the treatment are collaboration with the doctor: strict adherence of ordered therapy, the regular visits to the doctor, a detailed, unconcealed statement about your condition and life difficulties.
• Psychotherapy (individual, group and family) is not an option, but an important complement to the pharmacotherapy of depression. In contrast to pharmacotherapy, the psychotherapy supposed more active patient’s role in the treatment. Psychotherapy helps patients to develop the skills of emotional self-regulation, thus in future they can more effective cope with crisis situations, and not be absorbed in depression.

What usually prevents the treatment of psychotherapeutic help?

• Lack of information by people about what psychotherapy means.
• The fear for devotion a third person in personal, intimate experiences.
• Skeptical attitude that “talks” can provide appreciable curative effect.
• The concept that one need to cope with the psychological difficulties on his own. To call on another person is a sign of weakness.

The assistance of relatives in depression’s overcoming. The support of relatives, even when the patient does not express any interest, is very important in depression’s overcoming. In this connection we can give following pieces of advice to patient’s relatives:

• Remember, that depression – is a disease which need sympathy, but on no accounts you need not be absorbed in a disease together with a patient, sharing his pessimism and despair. It is necessary to keep a certain emotional distance, all the time reminding yourself and the patient, that depression – is a transient emotional state.
• According to studies, depression proceeding negatively especially in those families, where patient gets a lot of censorious remarks. Try to give the patient to understand that his condition – it is not his fault, but misfortune. He is need of help and treatment.
• Try not to focus on disease of your loved one and bring positive emotions in your life and in family’s life. As far as possible, try to involve the patient in some useful activity, but not dismiss him from the work.
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