In a depressive phase, knowledge is already the first step towards feeling better. Here you will find all the practical information about the illness.
Meeting an illness for the first time is a trial for anyone. With depression there is an aggravating factor: an accurate diagnosis cannot always be made quickly. At the beginning especially, there is a great deal of uncertainty among those affected. Am I actually depressed? Or am I just a bit sad? I would like to offer some support at this stage and answer some of the most important questions.
Question about depression no. 1: How do you recognise depression?
Depression looks different in every person. The so-called "symptoms of loss" are typical: joylessness, hopelessness, a sense of worthlessness or a serious loss of interest. People in severe depression in particular also feel a deep sadness and a great inner emptiness. Other frequent complaints include sleep disturbances, strong fears, excessive guilt and difficulty concentrating.
Question about depression no. 2: What kinds of depression are there, and which one do I have?
Broadly speaking, two main categories are distinguished. People with bipolar depression go through not only deep sadness but also manic phases, in which the person is literally bursting with the joy of life. In unipolar depression, however, these extreme highs do not occur. Subtypes of depression include seasonal depression and postnatal depression.
Question about depression no. 3: When can depression be called chronic?
A depressive episode may happen once, but the complaints can come back. Sometimes several years pass between depressive episodes, sometimes the interval is much shorter. Depression is called chronic only if the symptoms are present continuously for at least 2 years.
Question about depression no. 4: Is depression incurable?
Contrary to what is often written about depression being incurable, many depressions are in fact treatable. In the case of mild episodes, short-term psychotherapy can help you take charge of the problem again. Even with chronic depression, suitable therapy often brings a marked improvement after a while.
Question about depression no. 5: When can you say that a depression is over?
In many cases depressive episodes last from 4 to 8 weeks, but for each person it may look a little different. The symptoms often pass by themselves. If an episode of depression drags on for more than 3 months, it is advisable to seek help from a psychotherapist.
Question about depression no. 6: Which doctor can help me?
The first point of contact in a depressive phase is often a psychiatrist. There the patient's condition is assessed and, if needed, antidepressants and psychotherapy are prescribed; psychotherapy is a good support as well, and there are many different approaches these days. If the treatment does not bring the desired improvement to begin with, it makes sense to try another form of psychotherapy. The psychotherapist should have specific training for working with depression and should be in close professional contact with the treating psychiatrist!
Question about depression no. 7: Are antidepressants addictive?
There are different opinions about antidepressants. As a rule you only notice the effect after one or two weeks of taking the medication. If side effects appear, such as severe tiredness, sexual sluggishness or nausea, it is advisable to talk to the psychiatrist about changing the medication. Most medicines differ more in how well they are tolerated than in how they work.
Question about depression no. 8: Who will sign me off sick if I have depression?
With depression, sick leave works much the same as with other illnesses. The family doctor signs you off straight after the examination or refers you to a specialist. Many studies show that employers do not see this illness as one that keeps a person from working — there is still some thinking to be done here. Depression and exhaustion are not always regarded as grounds for signing someone off. On top of that, those affected often fear stigmatisation (being given a social label). As a stopgap, many resort to a white lie about a bout of flu. In the long run, though, openness is certainly the better way, since an employer can, to a degree, help an employee to prevent another depressive episode.
Question about depression no. 9: Why is depression better in the evening and worse in the morning?
Many patients find the mornings particularly hard. One contributing factor is the feeling of not being able to cope with the day ahead. Above all, though, the illness disrupts the daily rhythm, because certain hormones are not released as they should be. Routines such as stretching exercises after waking up help to shake off the morning strain.
Question about depression no. 10: Why am I so low, especially in spring?
Studies show that the greatest number of people go through an acute depressive phase in spring, and only in summer does that number fall again. Experts suspect that people prone to depression become even more aware of their illness at that time of year. While nature and other people slowly "wake up" as the weather improves and spring arrives, the person is still living with a deep sadness.
Question about depression no. 11: Why does depression often follow childbirth?
It is estimated that roughly one mother in seven in Austria struggles with a depressive episode after the birth of a child. This phenomenon, known as postnatal depression, usually sets in a few weeks after the birth and can last several months. The causes are thought to lie, on the one hand, in the hormonal changes in a woman's body and, on the other, in the fact that mothers are facing an entirely new situation in life.
Question about depression no. 12: Which sport helps against depression?
Although depression seems to steal all your energy, it is worth getting the better of your weaker self. Movement is an important support in dealing with mental disorders. Exercising regularly matters far more than which sport you choose. Sports that need no explaining and that you enjoy are ideal.
Question about depression no. 13: Who can I turn to in an emergency?
You can reach the telephone helpline around the clock for advice on 142 (Austria).
