Depression is a widespread public health issue. It is estimated that around 200,000 Danes are affected by depression, and that approximately 11,000 new cases are seen every year.
Different degrees of depression can occur, and depending on the severity, it can have a minor or major debilitating impact on one’s quality of life.
Depression as described by the WHO
- The WHO ranks depression in fourth place among the world’s most serious diseases.
- Around 17% of the population will have experienced depression during their lifetime.
- Traumatic or personal events in interaction with biological factors can be decisive in developing depression.
- More women than men seek help if they have developed depression.
- The Danish Health Authority recommends psychological treatment for cases of depression. For people with mild to moderate depression, psychological talk therapy may be sufficient.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental disorder that occurs in various forms and degrees of severity.
It is a very unpleasant mental state that can have major consequences for our ability to maintain a normal life, thereby reducing the quality of life for those affected by depression.
Examples of types of depression:
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Postpartum depression
- Dysthymia – a long-term form of depression
- Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depressive disorder)
Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. If you have severe depression, it will often be difficult to manage daily life.
In depression, a change in the brain’s metabolism is observed, where the active neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine are reduced.
Why do people get depression?
Many factors can come into play when seeking answers as to why some people are affected by depression. Depression typically arises from an interaction between a hereditary vulnerability and external stressful conditions.
Among the external conditions that can affect us, we often see stressful events such as unemployment, financial circumstances, and life crises like divorce, death, etc., all of which can affect our state of mind to such an extent that we may develop depression.
Factors such as low self-esteem and a poor social network can also be decisive in developing depression.
Additionally, causes such as criticism, disappointment, lack of love or care in childhood, abuse, and chronic illnesses can act as catalysts.
Signs of depression
There are a number of physical and psychological signs of depression, for example:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Lack of joy and energy without knowing why
- Feeling that life is meaningless
- Thoughts of suicide
- A desire to isolate oneself from social interaction
- Lack of desire or interest in activities that previously motivated you
- Reduced or lack of sexual desire
- Feeling dejected
- Lack of self-confidence
- Self-blame
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Poor sleep – either too much sleep or too many sleep disturbances
- Physical pain and headaches
We can all have periods where we feel sad and lack energy.
For it to be considered actual depression, there must be a long-term change in one’s behavior.
Are you unsure if you have signs of depression? Take the test from the Danish Health Authority here
Treatment of depression
It cannot be emphasized clearly enough that the sooner you begin treatment for your depression, the sooner you will recover. Therefore, it is important that you seek help as early as possible.
Unfortunately, many (especially men) avoid seeking help because they see depression as a personal failure. However, developing depression is not something we can control.
Regardless of the degree of depression, talk therapy is an important part of the treatment. Here, the focus is particularly on breaking negative thought patterns to help you feel better.
In severe cases, a need for medical treatment combined with talk therapy may be assessed. This assessment will be made by your doctor.
If you have depression, or are afraid that you are developing depression, it is therefore important that you seek help and begin treatment as soon as possible.
In addition, I recommend that you implement a number of measures in your daily life that can be both preventive and therapeutic.
Prevention of depression
Studies show that once you have been affected by depression, there is a tendency for a new depression to return. In fact, only about 1/5 of people avoid a recurrence of depression once they have been affected.
Fortunately, there are a number of methods for preventing depression.
It is particularly important to listen to your body and be aware of signals from your previous illness. For example, if you experience a period of decreased appetite, restlessness, or the like, it could be an early sign that a new depression is approaching. In such cases, it is important that you seek help immediately.
Additionally, I recommend the following measures to prevent depression:
- Fresh air – Fresh air is good for your mental health – studies show that nature itself can have a healing effect. Make sure to go for walks. And remember, a short walk is better than no walk at all.
- Eat a healthy and varied diet – Good and nutritious food has a major impact, not only on your physical health but also on your mental well-being. Ensure you get quality ingredients as much as possible and try to avoid fast food.
- Get plenty of daylight – Make sure to get a lot of daylight during the day. Too much time in artificial lighting can dampen your energy and mental resources. Especially in the winter months, it is important to soak up some of the day’s natural light.
- Be careful not to isolate yourself – Although it can be tempting to isolate yourself, engaging in social relationships with people close to you can help. It can give you energy and direct your thoughts toward new, exciting, and energizing aspects of life. If you spend too much time alone, it will only give you more time for (negative) thoughts.
- Stick to your bedtime – Sleep is an incredibly important factor for our psyche. If we have too many deviations in our sleep rhythm, it can weaken our mental strength. Make sure to go to bed and get up at roughly the same time every day.
- Avoid alcohol – Alcohol can trigger depressive thoughts, so try to hold back as much as possible.
About Psykologhuset Enigma
We have assembled a team of experienced psychologists who offer professional treatment to a wide range of clients. Our two locations are situated in Hillerød and Copenhagen K.
We offer therapeutic treatment to adults for a variety of issues, as well as to children, adolescents, families, and couples. We have specialized further in trauma and crisis reactions.
We recognize that every individual is unique, and therefore we see it as a strength that we, as psychologists at Psykologhuset Enigma, also bring diversity into our work. Our different backgrounds and approaches allow us to apply various theories and methods when meeting each individual client. This variation ensures that you can always find a psychologist who is a good fit for you and your therapeutic needs.
Our high ethical standards and thoroughness are your guarantee of professional treatment that not only helps you now but also prepares you to handle future challenges more effectively.
