



Depression: Causes and Symptoms





Symptoms of Depression

The decrease in mood.

Loss of pleasure.

Obsessive occupation of guilt and self-abasement.

Feeling of helplessness, despair, and self-hatred.

Deterioration of memory and ability to concentrate.

Removal from social activity.

Sexual issues.

Disturbed sleep.

Decreased or increased appetite.

Thoughts of death or suicide.

Various physical symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, headaches, and digestive problems.

In certain cases, delusions and/or hallucinations (usually auditory hallucinations) may be present.

Depression Risk Factors









The following are reasons for increasing your risk of depression:

Heredity.

Early injuries, such as abuse, separation, or neglect.

Deterioration of physical condition.

Chronic pain due to injury, accident or illness.

Parting and loss.

Post-traumatic stress disorder or its complications.

Old age or widowhood, especially among men.

Previous mental disorders.

Adaptive reaction to changes in status, place of residence, especially in people with an addicted personality.

Various physical ailments, such as Parkinson and fibromyalgia.





The thoughts of a person suffering from depression can be gloomy and unpleasant, accompanied by a sense of failure, lowered self-esteem, and despair. These thoughts and sensations are accompanied by anxiety and decreased functioning - relative to the expectations of others, or his own.





Professional help

Psychological treatment is an independent practitioner: private treatment (psychotherapeutic treatment, psychiatric, etc.) in an independent practitioner, through the health insurance fund or privately.

private treatment (psychotherapeutic treatment, psychiatric, etc.) in an independent practitioner, through the health insurance fund or privately. Psychological treatment in the clinic: includes psychiatric counseling, psychiatric treatment, recommendations to family members, etc. The treatment takes place in psychiatric clinics of sickness funds, in public clinics of the Ministry of Health, in clinics attached to hospitals or in private clinics.

includes psychiatric counseling, psychiatric treatment, recommendations to family members, etc. The treatment takes place in psychiatric clinics of sickness funds, in public clinics of the Ministry of Health, in clinics attached to hospitals or in private clinics. Day Hospital (Hebrew): A day hospital is a “transit point” between living in a community and hospitalization in a hospital and vice versa. The treatment is very intensive: about 6 hours a day, various types of treatment are carried out - psychotherapy, group therapy, occupational therapy, etc.

A day hospital is a “transit point” between living in a community and hospitalization in a hospital and vice versa. The treatment is very intensive: about 6 hours a day, various types of treatment are carried out - psychotherapy, group therapy, occupational therapy, etc. Hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital: intended for severe cases in which being at home is impossible due to risk (both for the patient and others), because of reckless behavior or the need for in-depth supervision.





Self-help

Quality sleep: most people with depression sleep either very little or very much. Quality sleep can significantly improve mood and increase energy throughout the day.

most people with depression sleep either very little or very much. Quality sleep can significantly improve mood and increase energy throughout the day. Balanced nutrition: a varied and enriched diet will help to improve well-being, add clarity of thinking and increase the amount of energy in the body.

a varied and enriched diet will help to improve well-being, add clarity of thinking and increase the amount of energy in the body. Medications: taking medications on time and at the doses recommended by the attending physician can help to improve mood and will be palliative, complementary treatment for psychotherapeutic and/or group treatment.

taking medications on time and at the doses recommended by the attending physician can help to improve mood and will be palliative, complementary treatment for psychotherapeutic and/or group treatment. Sports: simple sports such as yoga, walking, and swimming will help improve your mood.

simple sports such as yoga, walking, and swimming will help improve your mood. Hygiene: When people suffer from depression, hygiene can be an overwhelming task. Regular bathing and comfortable, neat clothes can greatly improve your inner sensation.





Introduce good habits Focusing on positive things: make a list of activities, people and places that evoke a sense of happiness and well-being. You can choose things that are already being done from the list, or you can do them every day. Most likely, it is impossible to do everything that is listed on the list every day, but you can try to introduce those things that you can do daily in your daily routine. At the moment, this list may look pointless, but in the future, it may become a source of ideas and lead to the understanding that all situations are transient and there is nothing that would remain unchanged.

make a list of activities, people and places that evoke a sense of happiness and well-being. You can choose things that are already being done from the list, or you can do them every day. Most likely, it is impossible to do everything that is listed on the list every day, but you can try to introduce those things that you can do daily in your daily routine. At the moment, this list may look pointless, but in the future, it may become a source of ideas and lead to the understanding that all situations are transient and there is nothing that would remain unchanged. To be sensitive to oneself: there is no need for criticism or self-flagellation if something did not work out, or the plans did not materialize. In addition, you can try to apply to yourself everything that you would advise a friend, whether he was in your situation. Show activity Join a group: a group in a mantis (community center), a public group with similar interests in your spirit, sign up for a sports section or a circle. It is very important to find an activity that you like in order to increase motivation.

a group in a mantis (community center), a public group with similar interests in your spirit, sign up for a sports section or a circle. It is very important to find an activity that you like in order to increase motivation. Trying new things: hobbies, courses, studies, and new experiences can improve mood and prevent negative thoughts and actions.

hobbies, courses, studies, and new experiences can improve mood and prevent negative thoughts and actions. Volunteering: the ability to do something for others directly affects the inner sensation and the feeling of loneliness. There are organizations and various structures, such as medical facilities, maths, non-profit organizations, educational structures, factories and museums looking for people who want to help.

the ability to do something for others directly affects the inner sensation and the feeling of loneliness. There are organizations and various structures, such as medical facilities, maths, non-profit organizations, educational structures, factories and museums looking for people who want to help. Set real goals: it is important to set real and independent goals: to dress beautifully in the morning, take a swim, walk around the surroundings on your own or cook food. Achieving these goals improves mood, gives confidence and encourages the establishment of the following goals.

Influence is not a mood Observation of mood: for some time, observation of mood provides an opportunity to see a picture of changes in feelings and shows that the number of good days is more than it may seem. This review will show the real picture that not everything is permanent and that there are activities, people and places that improve your mood.

for some time, observation of mood provides an opportunity to see a picture of changes in feelings and shows that the number of good days is more than it may seem. This review will show the real picture that not everything is permanent and that there are activities, people and places that improve your mood. Use imagination: imagination provides an opportunity to plunge into memories of good emotions and pleasant places. You can even imagine future experiences or the place you would like to visit. This method helps to understand that there are things that improve our well-being. The development of social ties and interpersonal relationships Stay in touch: if you feel like you don’t want to see anyone, you can send a message or e-mail contact with relatives, acquaintances or friends.

if you feel like you don’t want to see anyone, you can send a message or e-mail contact with relatives, acquaintances or friends. Communication: it is difficult to start talking about your feelings and feelings, but many people say that they feel better after they share their impressions and experiences.

it is difficult to start talking about your feelings and feelings, but many people say that they feel better after they share their impressions and experiences. Join a support group: Participating in support group meetings is a great opportunity to listen to people who are or were in a similar situation and get information from them. Information on support groups for depression can be obtained by searching the Internet, contacting health insurance schemes, or mental health stations.

Participating in support group meetings is a great opportunity to listen to people who are or were in a similar situation and get information from them. Information on support groups for depression can be obtained by searching the Internet, contacting health insurance schemes, or mental health stations. Getting support through the Internet: professional support via the Internet can help in cases where a person is unable or unable to ask for help. Professional forums or chats, such as ERAN (Ezra Rishona Nafshit - the first psychological aid) or MAMAN - Keilat Briut Anefesh - Mental Health Society, can provide first aid.

Tips for family and friends of a person with depression Talk about bad mood and depression: most people find it difficult to talk about their health and what is happening to them. It is worth staying open, talking about depression or about mixed feelings. Thus, your friend or close relative suffering from depression will feel more comfortable talking about what is happening to him.

most people find it difficult to talk about their health and what is happening to them. It is worth staying open, talking about depression or about mixed feelings. Thus, your friend or close relative suffering from depression will feel more comfortable talking about what is happening to him. Advise you to apply and seek professional help: a close friend or relative may be the one who will provide help and support, both in everyday life and in seeking professional help. A conversation over a cup of coffee or a slow walk around the house can improve mood, help to trust a friend or relative and lead to a decision, finding a way out of the situation and strength. It is impossible to force a person to seek help if he is not interested in it, but you can listen, reassure, encourage to seek help and remind you that this opportunity always exists.

a close friend or relative may be the one who will provide help and support, both in everyday life and in seeking professional help. A conversation over a cup of coffee or a slow walk around the house can improve mood, help to trust a friend or relative and lead to a decision, finding a way out of the situation and strength. It is impossible to force a person to seek help if he is not interested in it, but you can listen, reassure, encourage to seek help and remind you that this opportunity always exists. Staying in touch: it is sometimes difficult for a person suffering from depression to stay in touch and keep in touch, so his friends and relatives should try to stay in touch with him. Text messages or telephone conversations can mean a lot to him and remind him of what they think of him.

it is sometimes difficult for a person suffering from depression to stay in touch and keep in touch, so his friends and relatives should try to stay in touch with him. Text messages or telephone conversations can mean a lot to him and remind him of what they think of him. Take care of yourself: caring and caring for another person affect our feelings. Close relatives and friends can also receive support and guidance, as well as participate in suitable support groups.



Many use the word "depression" to describe a bad mood, sadness, or simply to say that they are out of sorts. When a specialist uses the word "depression" - he means clinical depression - a major depressive disorder (MDD).Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A condition in which the feeling of sadness is much stronger than usual and lasts longer than usual. In addition, there is a loss of interest and pleasure.People with depression experience difficulties in daily functioning. Difficulties also arise at work. Very often they are not interested in the closeness of family and friends. They feel despair and feel useless.There are different types of depression of varying severity: postpartum depression, seasonal depression, mild depression, and clinical depression (MDD).Depression can be symptomatic both at the psychological and physical levels.Symptoms of depression are individual and manifest in each person in different ways. Not all of the symptoms below should be present for depression. There are also additional symptoms, not listed below, that may be present in depression.In most cases, we are not talking about one single reason leading to depression, but a combination of several reasons.It is very difficult for a person who is in a state of depression to find the strength in himself to take care of himself. But, if a person takes an active role in the treatment and proceeds to specific actions, this will help improve his condition.