Depression can be a severe psychological condition. Dissatisfaction with life, fatigue, drowsiness, apathy, melancholy, decreased performance, suicidal thoughts – all these signs of depression can lead to more serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important to timely seek help from a specialist.
A mild form of depression partially complicates the interaction of the individual with society, while severe depression deepens the complexity of this interaction, ultimately making it impossible for the individual. As a rule, severe depressive disorder is combined with a number of other psychopathological syndromes, and can also cause physical disorders. Often, in the absence of specialist help, depression can become chronic, which is dysthymia.
But it cannot be ruled out that in the ordinary sense, depression, i.e. affective mental disorder, confused with the usual depression of mood, of different genesis (reaction to a certain situation, despondency). As a rule, the psycho- emotional state of this is of a temporary, reversible nature.
It is important to understand that in a real depressive disorder, turning to a psychologist can be fruitless, since all that a psychologist can do is give advice. To identify the genesis, type of depressive disorder and the treatment of depression itself , a comprehensive diagnosis is required, which includes an examination of the patient’s physical condition to exclude the possibility of somatic diseases, as well as a number of psychological tests to establish depression, all this happens only with the help of another specialist – a psychotherapist … In what is the difference?
A psychologist is a type of professional activity associated with knowledge of the general principles of psychology; this is a person who has received a humanitarian psychological education and, as a rule, works according to one of the well-known verbal techniques (psychoanalysis, gestalt psychology , etc.). At the time of the therapist, in addition to the verbal method, prescribed drugs, in fact, it is the treatment of depression and is his work. Simply put, all a psychologist can do is discuss the problem, but he cannot cure a person if his depressive disorder is a severe mental reaction that results in the form of a mental illness. For this reason, the diagnostic examination plays a large role in determining the presence of the disease.
So how can a psychologist help? In fact, only with advice that will rely on his professional knowledge and methods:
- not to close in yourself and in your problem, talk about your concerns to loved ones;
- monitor your diet, daily routine, sleep hygiene;
- avoid the use of various kinds of stimulants;
- engage in physical activity;
- find yourself a hobby.