Depression
When there is nothing but a burden where life once was.
The untold suffering caused by depression is offset by the fact that it is relatively easy to treat.
Contents
About DEPRESSION
Definition
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. According to estimates by the DGPPPN (German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology), between one and two per cent of the population of the Federal Republic of Germany develop the condition each year.
Everyone goes through periods in life when they feel listless, have negative thoughts and feelings, and simply find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. However, these fluctuations in everyone’s life should not be equated with clinical depression.
Depression is a serious illness – one that has both mental and physical effects. People suffering from depression are so consumed by their negative thoughts and feelings that this is reflected in their behaviour, and they often find it very difficult to break free from it without professional help. Activities that used to be enjoyable for those affected no longer bring them any pleasure.
What can trigger depression?
Causes & Triggers
Psychosocial stressors, as well as biographical and biological factors, play a significant role in the development, persistence and exacerbation of psychosomatic illness.
A treacherous illness
Signs, Symptoms and Consequences
Depression is often initially masked by a whole host of physical symptoms, with the result that it is not uncommon for people with depression to have already undergone a considerable number of physical investigations before an experienced doctor finally makes the correct diagnosis.
Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe. They include
- a general feeling of sadness, a loss of interest or enjoyment in activities one used to enjoy;
- Changes in appetite, including weight loss or gain;
- Difficulty sleeping;
- Loss of energy or increased tiredness, which manifests itself as a lack of motivation;
- Increased aimless physical activity, or slowed movements or speech;
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt;
- Difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death or suicide.
To be diagnosed, you must have experienced at least two of these symptoms for two weeks, and they should represent a change from your previous behaviour.
It is often difficult to distinguish between feeling low in everyday life and depression. It is therefore important to discuss your condition with your GP, a psychiatrist, a neurologist or a psychotherapist. Outpatient treatment is often insufficient to stabilise the condition, meaning that admission to a specialist clinic may be necessary. In such cases, our specialists are happy to assist.
How we can help you
Treatment
Although case numbers in Germany are very high and are rising steadily – primarily due to Covid-19 – those affected are still faced with unreasonable demands; well-meaning advice tends to downplay the problems and often merely confuses cause and effect.
Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions.
Between 80 and 90 per cent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients experience some relief from their symptoms.
Despite all the stigma and fears felt by those affected, once diagnosed, depression can be treated very effectively. Whilst this is even more true for depressive episodes detected at an early stage, even chronic depression responds well to multimodal therapies such as those we offer here.
Depression affects a person in every way; it places a strain not only on the individual themselves, but also on those around them and, of course, their family. Against this backdrop, we implement a multimodal treatment programme at our clinic that takes into account biopsychosocial and biographical factors.
Our treatment methods
How We Can Treat You and Help You
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