“Sad” and “depression” are different in that sadness is only a temporary symptom that can disappear after some time has passed. When the brain and mind accept and understand what has happened, the feeling of sadness will gradually improve. However, if it is “ depression ”, it is not just a temporary sadness. In the long run, it can affect your work life to the point that you may have to leave this world before your time.
Causes of depression
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirichai Hongsongwansri, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, provided information that depression is a disease caused by many factors. Overall, it is a psychological factor, upbringing, and environment that tends to view oneself negatively. Children may be abandoned or abused, or there is emotional distance between the patient and their parents.
There is poor upbringing that does not encourage the child to have self-esteem. There may be continuous stress for a long time. Finally, the experiences that they have growing up, whether from their upbringing or various problems in daily life that cause stress, affect the functioning of the brain that controls emotions.
Depression: See a doctor immediately
Many people are unaware that they have depression. They don’t even see a doctor until they try to harm themselves. Some lucky people may not be able to harm themselves and survive until they receive treatment for depression from a psychiatrist.
But waiting until the day you hurt yourself may be too late. There is currently a test to screen and evaluate yourself. If we evaluate ourselves and feel that our mood has changed from before. It has a great impact on our life. From being happy to do activities or work as usual, it starts to become discouraging and we feel depressed, unhappy, may think negative things or have insomnia. Thoughts and memory are reduced, then we should see a doctor. We do not have to wait until the symptoms are severe until the negative thoughts last for a long time or until we think about hurting ourselves.
Treating depression with medication and side effects
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirichai added that treatment with psychiatric drugs to treat depression is not a drug that will make you feel better in a day or two. It usually takes 1-2 weeks or more to improve.
If asked what the side effects are, in general, if it is an old antidepressant. There will be many side effects, from dry mouth, constipation, heart palpitations. But the latest antidepressants have fewer side effects than the previous generations, but they are still there, such as feeling nauseous, feeling sick. Some people will feel dizzy, and may have heart palpitations or hand tremors. But in general, the side effects will gradually decrease as we become more tolerant of the drug.
If the doctor does not explain it beforehand, the patient will not want to take the medicine because the effect of taking the medicine will not be seen in the beginning, but the side effects will come first. Therefore, the patient must also understand that in the beginning, they may have to endure some side effects, and then they will decrease. As for the mood, it will take some time. Generally, about 1-2 weeks to start seeing clear results.
Treatment of depression with psychotherapy
Treatment of depression requires psychological therapy as well, and not one antidepressant medication works for everyone. Some people may benefit from one medication, while others may benefit from another. Therefore, when beginning treatment. If after some time, such as 4 weeks or 6 weeks, symptoms do not seem to improve. The doctor may consider treatment that is appropriate for each individual patient.
While being treated for depression, you must try to live a normal life.
Patients with depression should try to do their daily routine as close to normal as possible. Meet people, do activities, and may have to use other methods such as exercise, relieve stress in general ways such as listening to music, reading books, watching movies, etc. Do activities that make you feel relaxed and comfortable as much as possible. Or you may choose to do useful activities such as taking courses that you are interested in, helping stray dogs and cats, making merit by feeding children, taking care of the elderly, โปรโมชั่น ufabet etc. Using your knowledge and skills in a useful way will help you see your own value even more.