The endogenous depression It is a type of major depressive disorder, which is rarely diagnosed as such, since in the clinic its diagnosis is usually major depressive disorder. This is because its essential symptoms are very similar to those of major depressive disorder, which is a disorder mood characterized by intense feelings of sadness that persist over a long period of weather. These feelings have a negative impact on mood and behavior, as well as physical condition, including sleep, appetite... Today, it is The cause of this type of depression is unknown, although there is talk that it can be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental Some people become depressed after the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a relationship, or after experiencing a traumatic situation. However, endogenous depression is triggered without any stressful events or without any obvious triggers. Symptoms appear suddenly for no apparent reason. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain the endogenous depression: symptoms, causes and treatment.
Index
- Symptoms of endogenous depression
- Treatment of endogenous depression
- Lifestyle changes to overcome endogenous depression
- Is endogenous depression cured?
Symptoms of endogenous depression.
People with endogenous depression begin to experience symptoms without warning. The type, frequency, and severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
The symptoms of endogenous depression they are similar to those of major depressive disorder. Some of them are:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were previously enjoyable.
- Fatigue.
- Lack of motivation.
- Concentration, thinking, or decision-making problems.
- Sleep problems: difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively.
- Social isolation.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Headaches.
- Muscle pains.
- Loss of appetite or overeating.
Treatment of endogenous depression.
Overcoming endogenous depression is not an easy task, but with a combined treatment of medication and psychotherapy the symptoms will improve.
Pharmacotherapy
The psychotropic drugs most used to treat endogenous depression are selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (IRSN). In some cases, tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed, but this is less common.
Some examples of SSRI They are:
- Paroxetine
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Escitalopram
- Citalopram
SSRIs, at first, can cause headaches, nausea, and insomnia. These side effects usually subside after a short period of time.
Some examples of ISRN They are:
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
- Desvenlafaxine
Some tricycles antidepressants are trimipamine, imipramine, or nortriptyline. The side effects of tricyclic antidepressants can be more serious, leading to drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain. Typically, you need to take the medication for a minimum of 4-6 weeks until symptoms start to improve. In some cases, it takes 12 weeks to see improvements.
Even if the symptoms have improved, you should continue taking the medication until the specialist indicates it. Stopping the medication suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you cope with depression and certain aspects of it. The two main types of psychotherapy are cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help replace negative thoughts with positive, healthy ones. Practicing positive thinking and by limiting the negative, the way of acting in negative situations can be improved.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on working on troubled relationships that can contribute to depression. Understanding that, if those relationships improve, so do the symptoms of depression.
In most cases, the best treatment option is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Lifestyle changes to overcome endogenous depression.
In addition to following treatment, there are some lifestyle changes that can help you overcome the depression, even if these changes are not pleasant at first, your body and mind will adjust with the weather. Some guidelines are:
- Do outdoor activities: walking, cycling ...
- Participate in activities that were pleasant before the depression.
- Spending time with other people, including friends or loved ones.
- To write a diary.
- Sleep at least 6 hours.
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in cereals, vegetables and low in fat.
Is endogenous depression cured?
Normally, people with endogenous depression improve their physical appearance when they are already on the treatment plan. To see an improvement in symptoms, we must wait several weeks. In addition, the treatment plan must be adapted for each particular case, so it will take time to adjust the psychotropic drugs and, in addition, each person reacts differently to the therapy.
How quickly a person recovers depends on how soon treatment is started. If depression remains untreated for a long period of time, your recovery will be much slower and harder. Hence the importance of prevention of this type of disorders, as well as early identification to obtain better long-term results, which translates into a better quality of life for these people.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Endogenous depression: symptoms, causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
