Depression is a disorder that leads to an acute feeling of sadness, loss of hope for a prolonged time and affects the joy of living, work capacity and health. Genetic predisposition, along with stressful life events, medical conditions, post-partum depression or other factors can cause an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, leading to depression.
In these cases, the consultation of a specialist is essential, because the affected person may eventually suffer from the inability to communicate, to perform routine activities, in extreme cases even to suicide.
The main symptoms of depression are:
- sadness for most of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks
- loss of interest and pleasure in once pleasant activities
- significant weight loss or gain
- insomnia or drowsiness
- agitation or inhibition of behavior
- fatigue and lack of energy
- feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- diminishing the capacity for thinking and concentration
As the treatment of depression, we choose psychotherapy, drug treatment, or ideally the combination of both taking into account several factors: the severity of the depression, the abilities and particularities of the patient. In our clinic, we use effective psychotherapeutic techniques to help the person with depression to rebalance emotionally and regain the joy of living.
Psychotherapy has the advantage of preventing, in some cases, the occurrence of another depressive episode. Medications do not cure depression, often they only relieve or eliminate the symptoms. If the medication is not combined with psychotherapy, when it is stopped, the depression may return, while psychotherapy has the advantage to prevent a new depressive episode. In the absence of treatment, depression tends to have a chronic occurrence, with multiple relapses.