Learn to identify depressive symptoms, according to specialists

The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that Depression is a common illness throughout the world. It is estimated that it affects 3.8% of the population, including 5% of adults and 5.7% of adults over 60 years of age. Globally, approximately 280 million people have depression.

Likewise, the WHO points out that depression “in the worst cases, can lead to suicide. Each year more than 700,000 people commit suicide. Suicide is the fourth cause of death in the age group of 15 to 29 years.

Clinical psychologist Katiuska Delgado comments that Suicide rates in Ecuador have increased tremendously. “In 2021 they increased by 37% and there are 1,120 deaths by suicide in the country only throughout 2021 and the figures for 2022 are feared that it will increase enormously…”, he affirms.

“Suicide in clinical psychology with psychoanalytic information is known as passage to the act… when there is no longer anything that ties this person to life and it is quite difficult… For a person to reach the passage to the act there is no passage to the word there is absolutely nothing to sustain…”, he adds.

What is depression?

Delgado explains that depression is a “set of effects of the human being in which it has manifestations of sadness, inhibition… The fact of inhibition is refraining from living, from enjoying, from smiling, from being happy, from having this sense of life as such. In that sense depression is not a disease it’s a way out for something we can’t stand after a trauma… leaves footprints Then when depression becomes chronic it can become a pathology because there is a terrible and uncontrolled situation, and that overwhelms the patient and that is when depression becomes chronic, it can be said that it is a disease”, he points out.

First signs of a person with depression

The clinical psychologist Samuel Merlano indicates that a person shows apathy, reluctance, demotivation, does not find meaning in life, does not want to talk with anyone or with family or friends. They also feel very negative, they isolate themselves, they don’t want to eat, they don’t want to work and in many cases they show aggressive reactions.

Delgado points out that when depression is starting it may be that the person does not show as many signs, because depression is a way out for what we can’t stand and we repress it in our unconscious so that it doesn’t come out. However, he says that when the subject gives his first signs you have to observe and he shows no desire to get up, loses his appetite or increases his appetite, he has insomnia, he is seen to be tired, sleepy, with less and less desire to get up, to go to work, to study, to go out. But these people also “mask” their suffering with a smile so as not to give signs, so as not to feel ashamed in front of others.

Who is prone to depression?

Although they appear happy to the world, however, inside they are struggling to stay on their feet, unfortunately many of them do not succeed, that is why we have seen that singers, actors who would think they have it all, but emotionally they are wrong and arrive to commit suicide Given this, the psychologist Sharon Meneses invites us to take into account that depression is considered a mental illness and this type of disorder can affect people of any condition without distinction of age, socioeconomic level, culture, ethnicity, etc. Delgado agrees with this opinion.

Meneses points out that “it is characterized by feelings of sadness, guilt, apathy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy and lack of energy. His symptoms intensify over time.

Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and other mental disorders in the world of pop music

Delgado explains that depression is closely related to sadness, but mentions that this is an emotion that is part of our construction, that can occur after death, separation, abuse, etc. “Although sadness can be a sign of depression, depression can also manifest without this feeling, without sadness it can occur, most people with depression mask sadness with a smile…”, he maintains.

Consequences of depression

The strongest is that there are suicidal thoughts and you end up making that decision, according to Merlano, who mentions that the additional ones are to stop working, studying, socializing, sharing, not seeking help, isolating oneself from other people and effectively the person shows disinterest in everything.

For his part, Delgado indicates that the consequences as such are quite complicated, since a person with depression renounces the meaning of life, when there are more reasons to die than to live. To them add all excesses and cites as an example the consumption of substances.

And with Merlano he agrees on suicide, with suicide attempts. “Suicide attempts are calls to the other, an alarm call, a call for help, then comes suicide, which is a more serious consequence,” says Delgado, who indicates that depression also leads to a total devaluation of the person, a lack of love for oneself and that leads to destroying us to the point of death.

How to instill this type of problem in the family?

Merlano recommends that within the family there is space to talk about depression in a daily and non-technical way. That is, members can express how they felt during the day, if they felt sad, happy, etc., which allows emotional release. “There is a word that is used a lot for people to release emotions called assertiveness,” he says.

Emphasize that it is important pay attention to all household members, to the 5-year-old child, as well as to the adult and that everyone has their spaces to dialogue.

In addition, invites to practice family and social empathy, since this is sorely lacking in society and that is why it is convulsed, “because there is no empathy.” “People kill each other, people attack, people kidnap, people damage the garden, etc., there is no empathy and the most valuable part of a human being is lost…”, he points out.

It is important to review family dynamics to help children in the face of bad behavior, according to psychologists

Delgado points out that it is important that it be from children and explaining to them the concept of solidarity towards those who are suffering. “In order for our family to be more aware of these situations, we have to show solidarity with this other who suffers and from the family nucleus open the door to stop judging the other who suffers, but rather accompany and provide professional support, removing these prejudices. of saying that psychologists only attend to the insane and leaving the door open for mental health”, he reiterates.

How to make the population aware of this problem?

Whiting suggests conduct a nationwide campaign if possible led by the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) so that they effectively explain what a person with depression suffers, this is because those who do not suffer from the disorder find it difficult to understand why someone has depression.

Furthermore, he comments that it is good to socialize, to share what causes depression, the symptoms, how to help it and that it is important that it can be transmitted through the media and in this way create together points within the city where there is a line for people who are experiencing depression or have suicidal thoughts, so that psychiatrists and psychologists immediately they can take care of it and effectively the results are seen, and people are leaving behind the prejudice of seeking psychological or psychiatric help, because this is also an issue that has not matured on a social level, since people still think that if they go to a psychologist or the psychiatrist says ‘I’m crazy’.

Urges to carry out “prevention of depression, prevention of suicide another opportunity to campaign on how to practice empathy on a daily basis inside and outside the home, that is extremely important, people who have empathy are great human beings and are very valuable and are the people who generate change in their environment ”.

Why is it difficult for human beings to follow orders in the midst of a crisis?

Meneses comments that Most of our population has the idea rooted in their minds that “depression is due to lack of character or being a weak person” and also “only crazy people go to a psychologist or psychiatrist”, so our priority should be that this idea disappears and always promote the importance of mental health, teaching them that just as they go to check-ups with their doctor for prevention, they should also visit a psychologist.

Delgado has a similar criterion and indicates that one way to raise awareness is that we must know that “we can all suffer from depression at some point… We have to be in solidarity with this other who is suffering, because a person with depression suffers a lot, at such a level that wants to renounce life, because the reasons he has to live are not enough to sustain him in life but in death…”.

In this context, he points out that the majority of people with depression may appear to be apparently happy, but in reality they cover up a sad and horrible reality that torments them and fears to show, and that is why when the news of the suicide arrives, family members, friends, acquaintances They are surprising because they indicate that the person was happy.

How to help?

Merlano says that on the one hand through psychotherapy, in the case of mild depression, the person consulting can externalize emotions freely and the therapist will help them manage thoughts and emotions.

The specialist mentions that there are also cases of major depressions that in this case do require medical treatment, the intervention of a psychiatrist where the person needs to take medicine, in some cases hospitalization so that he effectively attends to the emotional, physical, mental details that the patient is living.

Delgado points out that It is very important to provide this accompaniment even if it is in silence, not judging, being there when the person needs it, not asking too many questions, not minimizing the suffering of the other, it is too important. “When a person has depression it is really very difficult to seek help, because it is about denying and not facing the pain and suffering but about avoiding it, so that is where we come in, the friend, the family member, the couple, we come in to give support to this person…”, he says.

Prevention

Meneses recommends exercising two to three times a week, eating a balanced diet, sleeping at least eight hours and having alternatives to handle stressful situations, knowing how to communicate your emotions to people who are supportive and always thinking-talking and acting accordingly. positive way”.

If you need help you can contact the free line 171 MSP option 6.

In addition, the WHO “has developed brief manuals on psychological interventions for depression that can be administered by non-specialized workers to individuals and groups”. They cite as an example the manual Facing problems plus (EP+); the manual Group Interpersonal Therapy for Depression; and the manual healthy thinking. (I)