Depression and its symptoms: three important questions for your doctor

There is no reliable test for depression — only a psychiatrist can diagnose it. To understand that it is time to go for help, you need to know the symptoms of the disorder. Yulia Karacheva, a psychotherapist at the Atlas clinic network,

How to diagnose depression in yourself or a loved one?

You should suspect depression if you have the following symptoms for more than two weeks:

How do you know when it’s time to go for help?

It’s time to see a doctor if:

• internal discomfort with the symptoms we listed above persists for longer than two weeks
• there were repeated thoughts that there is no incentive to live
• self-harming behavior developed, including drug use

You can also go to a specialist if you can’t cope with the consequences of a certain traumatic event. This can be the death of a loved one, separation from a partner, dismissal, accident, and more. In case of acute stress, it is important to monitor your own condition and visit a psychiatrist or psychotherapist for prevention. Treatment of depressive states is always individual and lasts from six months to several years. It all depends on the severity, the number of episodes in the past and the chosen method of therapy.

How to maintain mental health if you work all the time?

Let’s note right away: self-medication will not help to overcome depression. This can only increase the time of illness and the progression of symptoms. Attitudes like “pull yourself together” also don’t work, because they mean “suppress negative emotions, ignore them”. This approach will worsen the condition.

To support yourself during a crisis or reduce the likelihood of depression, it is important to cover the basic needs of the body:

• observe the daily routine, balance between work and rest
• get enough sleep and eat well
• move more often, but it is better to exercise regularly

Make sure to spend time with your favorite activities, socializing with your loved ones, and taking care of yourself. And remember: in any condition, you can and should seek help from a specialist. And if he prescribes medical therapy,