Depression is a disease. Some do not consider it a disease and sincerely believe that a person can recover from physical work or a change of scenery. Others take depression for just a momentary decline in mood. In fact, the development of this disease can be associated with the past stress, and with childhood injuries, and with an insufficient number of sunny days. Among its most common symptoms are negative emotions, pessimistic thoughts, low self-esteem. The main danger of depression is that it can occur in a latent form, and others may not know about the mental problems in humans.
People’s Depression Concepts
Even today, despite the widespread dissemination of information about depression and other mental disorders, there are people who believe that it develops from laziness and a person’s unwillingness to work on himself. These people consider depressive states a privilege of “idle classes”, since a person engaged in physical labor has no time to yearn. Such ideas are rooted in the distant past of mankind, when workers and peasants were not involved in mental health.
In modern people, the need to engage in physical labor is much less common. But supporters of the belief that depression develops from laziness come up with new ways to “fight” this disease, for example, devaluing phrases or statements that remind a person that someone is even worse. Symptoms of a depressive disorder are not immediately noticeable to others. Outwardly, a person can even express positive emotions, but he does this in order not to “burden” friends or relatives and not hurt them.
Depressive episodes can occur not only explicitly, but also in a latent form. It is not necessary to lie still, not feeling the desire to work or do any business. A person can continue to go to work or meet friends, but at the same time not feel joy even from their favorite activities or from time to time cry or be annoyed for no reason. Only a psychotherapist can diagnose depressive disorder and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Signs of latent depression: positive emotions in public and much more
One of the actions that took place on social networks was dedicated to people with depressive disorders. From some of the photographs it was impossible to understand how they really feel, because apparently these people looked prosperous and successful. The development of depressive disorder can begin against the backdrop of a favorable situation in the family and at work.
Among the possible causes of its development is a violation of the chemical balance of the brain, a deficiency of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It occurs for various reasons, including as a result of diseases of the thyroid gland, and even flu. But in some cases, because of outwardly positive emotions, one cannot understand what a person is actually experiencing. He may be friendly and even cheerful, but some signs may indicate that not everything is in order with him.
With a hidden depressive disorder, a person can very skillfully mask his true condition. Such people are often prone to control their behavior and surrounding situations. Sometimes they can cry for no reason or experience bouts of aggression, explaining their condition by problems at work or in the family, but not even suspect a serious mental disorder.
People with depressive disorders also suffer from sleep or appetite disturbances. They may eat too little or too much and not taste the food. Sometimes drowsiness can occur as a protective reaction to an unfavorable psychological state. At the same time, sleep can be intermittent or too long – more than 15 hours.
With latent depressive disorder, a person often resortes to “relaxation” with the help of alcoholic beverages, smoking or sweets. They can make attempts to “switch” to their favorite music, watch movies or take long walks. Often they refuse to meet with friends so that they do not see how bad they really are.
Treating latent depression is a much more difficult task than with clear signs of a depressive disorder. A person in this state urgently needs support, but he is not always ready to discuss what is happening with a specialist and decide on professional help. In a latent depressed state, he needs the support of loved ones and their benevolent mood.
Why is it not so easy to treat depression?
The main difficulty in treating depression, as well as other psychological disorders, is the patient’s unwillingness or inability to acknowledge his illness and make sure that it needs treatment. Today, not everyone is able to trust a psychologist or a psychotherapist or even tell friends about their state of mind.
But sooner or later, a depressed state will have a negative impact on a person’s performance and his relationships with loved ones. Unfortunately, a person with a depressive disorder often faces a lack of understanding and devaluation of their own feelings. If he is busy with the same gloomy thoughts or says the same thing, it can cause irritation and lead to a refusal to communicate with a person.
The best thing that relatives or friends of a person with a hidden depressive disorder can do is to treat his condition with understanding and avoid deprecating phrases. Making fun of his feelings or calls to cheer up or relax will not lead to the desired result, since he will not cheer up and will not relax in an instant. Of course, one should not immediately offer him treatment for depression by a specialist, but in a conversation one should carefully bring the interlocutor to this idea.
The mental health of a person requires as much attention as physical. No one denies the need for treatment for influenza, stomach ulcers, or arterial hypertension. But in order for people to realize the seriousness of mental problems and the need for treatment, it takes some time. Today, the attitude towards people with various mental disorders is beginning to change, and mental health issues are becoming very important.