How long does a depression last and when?

How long does depression last? Certain indicators duration of depression does not exist. The period of manifestation of the symptoms of mental disorders in this category is influenced by many factors.

These include the form of existing depression, individual characteristics the mental state of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases of the nervous system.

In some cases, psycho-emotional disorders are limited to certain terms, but they can not fully comply with them.

What determines the duration of the disease?

The duration of depression depends not only on the type and form of this pathology, but also on the individual characteristics of the organism and even on the type of person.

For example, people with an overly sensitive psyche are most susceptible to long-term experiences, which are much more difficult for them to get rid of.

In psychiatric practice, several factors stand out that are capable of prolong or shorten the depression period.

The duration of a depressive state depends on the following factors:

Severity of depression (the mild and medium form of this pathology lasts up to nine months, a severe degree of depressive state can persist for years).
Provoking factors (the end of depression is directly related to the exclusion of the cause of its appearance, for example, the depressive state about loneliness disappears after changes in personal life).
Timeliness of treatment (if depression is ignored for a long time, then its duration will increase to a great extent).
The correctness of the course of therapy (the best treatment option for depressive states is considered to be a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapeutic techniques).
Individual features of the patient's mind (in some cases, patients can cope with the first manifestations of depression on their own within a short period of time by working on themselves and their psycho-emotional state).

How long can it last?

The period of duration of depression is directly related to provoking factors.

Certain negative events are perceived by men and women differently.

The fair sex are at particular risk.

In women, the most common causes of protracted depression are the period of pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and psycho-traumatic situations cause them more mental suffering than men.

The duration of depression provoked by various factors:

After a divorce in women (the average duration of depression provoked by such a factor is limited to two years, the period of spiritual experiences is reduced, if the woman can establish a personal life within a short period of time after the divorce).
Postpartum depression in women (in the absence of timely treatment, childbirth depression can not only last for years, but also provoke other mental disorders, with adequate treatment, it is possible to get rid of the pathological condition within three to six months).
After giving up alcohol (the average duration of alcohol depression is from several days to a month, in rare cases this condition can persist for years, for a long course of depression after giving up alcohol it is necessary to have a number of provoking factors, including concomitant mental disorders that have occurred alcoholism).
After parting with a boyfriend or girlfriend (the timing of this type of depression is considered the most uncertain, in some cases emotional experiences persist for years and are difficult to treat, the clinical picture and the rate at which the symptoms of mental disorder are resolved depend directly on the individual characteristics of the patient)
With menopause (a depressive state in menopause may be neurotic, reactive, climacteric, psychogenic or endogenous, the duration of depression depends on its form, the average duration is from one to five years).
Post-alcohol depression in men (the average duration of such depression is from several days to a year, additional diseases associated with a mental disorder of a man can increase the duration of a depressive state).

Can it drag on for years?

How long can you live in depression? Depression refers to mental disorders, in which the individual characteristics of the patient and his psyche play a key role.

In some cases, it is possible to get rid of such a condition within a few months, but with certain factors, symptoms can persist for years and almost not respond to treatment.

One of the most difficult forms of depression is considered resistant type After a distinct remission, pronounced relapses occur, the intensity of which increases with each manifestation.

Features of resistant depression:

relief of the patient after the procedure is not observed;
the tendency to recovery is absent when using different methods of therapy;
after a temporary reduction in the symptoms of depression, a pronounced relapse occurs;
depression occurred against the background of dysthymia (this condition is sometimes considered a distinctive trait of character).

What are the consequences?

Depression of any form has negative impact on quality of life the patient. Against the background of a depressive state, additional mental disorders can develop.

The appearance of a person experiencing spiritual experiences, is changing for the worse. It becomes difficult for him to communicate with other people and there is a risk of loss of social contacts.

Severe forms of depression shorten the lifespan and can cause suicide.

TO complications and negative consequences Depression includes the following conditions:

untidy appearance (a person loses interest in his appearance and stops caring for himself);
critical deterioration of health (depression provokes somatic abnormalities);
decrease in self-esteem and loss of existing skills (professional, social, etc.);
the emergence of a tendency to alcoholism or other bad habits (getting rid of dependence on the background of depression is extremely difficult);
the development of serious pathologies associated with the state of the psyche (phobias, mental disorders, etc.);
the emergence of thoughts about suicide (gradually attempts are made to commit suicide).

How does the disease end?

Signs of Depression Retreat depend on symptoms of manifestation this state.

If psycho-emotional disorder was accompanied by apathy, lack of attention to their appearance, somatic deviations and other factors, their disappearance would indicate the appearance of a tendency to recovery.

Signs of recovery from depression can be pronounced or manifest in a minimal but consistent degree.

On way out of depression indicate the following states:

improving mood and general well-being;
the emergence of interest in life;
the emergence of the desire to communicate with others;

improved concentration and mental performance;
increase self-esteem and the emergence of self-confidence;
elimination of signs of excessive sensitivity of the psyche;
normalization of sleep (elimination of insomnia);
increase of vital energy and working capacity.

What to do if the illness is delayed?

Prolonged depression must be treated. Only a specialist can select the optimal course of therapy on the basis of a complete examination of the patient.

In most cases, treatment is limited to psychotherapy and special medicines. Severe forms of depression cause the patient to be hospitalized.

Recommendations with prolonged symptoms of depression:

It is necessary to consult a specialist (psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist).
Procedures that can be carried out independently at home (training to improve self-esteem, struggle with bad thoughts, etc.) will help speed up the process of getting rid of the symptoms of depression.
Regular physical exertion has a beneficial effect on the psyche (you can not only play sports, but also train yourself to elementary exercises in the morning).
It is necessary to use a variety of ways to distract oneself from negative thoughts (correcting the social circle, watching films that have a positive effect on the emotional state, etc.).
The elimination of bad habits (smoking and drinking alcohol can increase the manifestation of depression and cause a prolonged lack of a tendency to recovery).
If depression is provoked by certain character traits, then for its prevention it is necessary to take sedatives (prescribed by a doctor).

If the symptoms of depression persist for a long time, must be examined by a specialist.

The cause of constant mental experiences can be dysthymia. This pathology does not violate the human performance, but is accompanied by chronic bad mood.

The most common provoking factors are certain traits of character. Regardless of the form of depression, timely medical care is a must its elimination.

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