From the author: website Depression (lat. deprimo “to crush”, “to suppress”) is a mental disorder characterized by the depressive triad: decreased mood, loss of the ability to experience joy (anhedonia), impaired thinking (negative judgments , a pessimistic view of what is happening, etc.) motor retardation. With depression, self-esteem is reduced, there is a loss of interest in life and usual activities. How a mental disorder is a disorder of affect. Over a long period of time (over four to six months), depression is considered a mental illness. Depression responds well to treatment, in more than 80% of cases complete recovery occurs, however, currently depression is the most common mental disorder. It affects 10% of the population over the age of 40. Of these, 2/3 are women. Among people over 65 years of age, depression is three times more common. In some cases, a person suffering from depression begins to abuse alcohol (or other drugs that affect the central nervous system) and throws himself into work. A depression test called the Zang scale is often used to detect depression. Symptoms If depression is present, according to ICD-10, two main symptoms and at least three additional ones must be present. Main symptoms: - Depressed mood, regardless of circumstances, for a long time (from two weeks or more); - Anhedonia - loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities; - Severe fatigue, “loss of strength,” characterized by the stability of this state (for example, for a month). Additional symptoms: - Pessimism; - Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, anxiety and/or fear; - Low self-esteem; - Inability to concentrate and make decisions; - Thoughts about death and (or) suicide; - Unstable appetite, marked decrease or gain in weight; - Disturbed sleep, the presence of insomnia or oversleeping; - A burning sensation in the chest or other physical symptoms. Getting out of depression. Depression is exactly the case when you need to get yourself out of this state or if you can’t get to the psychologist’s office. The most important thing is to admit that the state I am in is becoming unbearable for me and I want to change it! Next - I want to get out of depression, and I will do it to feel GOOD!!! So, first: - force yourself to get off the couch, call your friends, leave the house. Take any step in the direction that will allow you to activate your muscle tone. Start running, preferably in the morning (10-15 minutes, then a contrast shower) or in the evening. Sign up for a swimming pool, fitness, dancing, go to training. During physical activity, biologically active substances - endorphins - enter the blood in large quantities, which help improve mood. Second: - fill your free time with what you have long wanted to do, but put it off until later. If this is not the case, buy simple paints and draw your depression on a piece of paper... it doesn’t matter what it looks like, it’s important that you transfer it (the depression) from yourself onto paper. Third: - track your thoughts that lead you to depression and reflect on them. And the next time they appear, switch your thoughts to something else. Fourth: – analysis of what happened. The word “depression” is a verbal noun, based on the verb - to depress (suppress). Answer the following questions in writing: - What exactly depresses (depresses) me? - What's good about having this experience? - What exactly did I learn? - How do I want to feel next? - What exactly should I do to eliminate what was depressing me before? View original