Depression: Key Questions and Answers

Hello friends!

This week, I was invited by Jornal Diário de Sorocaba, in São Paulo, to answer some questions about the Depression. Although these are general questions and the answers are brief, I think they are important questions and can be helpful with key questions. Therefore, I share with you:

1) Although the causes that motivate depression are very broad, what would be the main ones?

We can think of biological causes (genetic, dietary, hormonal) and psychological causes, that is, influenced by dysfunctional thoughts and feelings.

2) How can a person know that he has depression? Are isolation and low spirits common?

Well, if there is any indication of depression, the person or the family should seek help from a psychology or psychiatry professional. Because although we usually talk about depression, there are types of depression.

What is better known, the Major Depressive Episode, is easily observed by others due to the fact that the person stops carrying out the daily activities that he was used to. In this sense, there is a change in mood, yes in the mood and a greater tendency to isolation.

However, as I pointed out, there are other types of depression. The least known and least diagnosed is the depressive personality or the disease currently known as dysthymia, in which the depressive symptoms are milder, are not as disabling or discrepant with previous activities, but which also affect the quality of life.

See more – What is dysthymia?

3) Do people who lose a close person tend to have depression? What should she do to avoid it, especially at this point?

Well, in the case of the loss of a close relative, friend or even the end of an important love relationship, we do not speak of depression. Although the symptoms may be similar, we have to consider that mourning the loss is normal and should pass in a few weeks or months.

Learn more – Mourning and Melancholy

4) What should family members of the depressive do? Could you give two examples: one talking about a situation in which the family member helps and another in which it harms?

In cases of a Major Depressive Episode, it is common for the family to notice that something is wrong. What should not be done is to believe that it is nonsense, a freshness, a whim of the person. Actions like this obviously harm the depressive person and can aggravate the situation, as he feels that he does not have help from those who need it.

The way forward is to seek guidance from a psychology and psychiatry professional as soon as possible so that a complete psychological assessment is carried out, as well as a medical assessment.

Some physical illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, for example, can affect the body in such a way that the appearance of depressive symptoms is common. Therefore, a global, biological and psychological evaluation is necessary to assess the causes of the disease and for the treatment to be successful.

5) Bullying situations, especially in children, cause depression?

Not necessarily. Whenever we are going to consider some psychic symptom, we have to take into account that in psychology we consider individual differences. With that, we are not going to say yes, but we can say that, for some individuals, experiences of frustration, severe criticism, social maladjustment or difficulty creating friendship bonds, can predispose to psychological problems in the future.

6) When the depressive does not want to be helped, what is advised to do?

The answer to this question has to take into account the age of the individual. A depressed teenager does not have full responsibility for defining whether or not he wants to undergo treatment, so parents have to guide and refer him to treatment, as far as possible.

Adults and elderly individuals can choose whether or not they want to take medication, undergo therapy or not, however, the guidance of relatives, friends and health professionals is essential to show the causes of the disease and the possibility of improvement.

7) What are the consequences that Depression can cause in a person?

Depression, if not treated, can cause several consequences ranging from the loss of relationships, love and friendship, financial and professional losses and, in more serious cases, can lead to suicide.

8) I already asked about the causes above, but I would like to highlight loneliness. How does this situation interfere?

We must not confuse loneliness with depression. There are people who like to be alone to produce, to create, to work. These are people considered introverts. They have friends, although they are few in number, they are good and they stay with the years.

See here – Psychology of Loneliness – Introversion and Extroversion

Total social isolation is already a worrying sign, as it can be caused by depression or social phobia. In both cases, psychotherapeutic and/or drug treatment is also indicated.

9) How are these people treated? How are the first therapies?

Psychology has several modalities of therapy. In summary, we can define two basic types: more directive therapies (in which the professional intervenes more) and non-directive therapies (in which the professional listens more than guides).

Each one will adapt more with a type of therapy. The first sessions are psychological assessment sessions, so that the professional can learn more about the patient’s life history, their symptoms, problems and difficulties, in addition to establishing empathy, trust and the description of the rules of the treatment model used.

10) Does the person having a belief or religion help in the process? Which part?

It might help, it might hinder. In most cases, it can help, as the person already has a belief that guides their role in the world. In other cases, it is possible that ingrained beliefs limit behavior in such a way that a psychic conflict is established. That is, there is a desire to go in one direction and religious belief guides in another.

In any case, an experienced professional will know how to approach beliefs in an ethical and respectful way, always aiming at the psychic well-being of each one.

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