Treatment of Depression
Depression in Malaga is nowadays a very frequent illness that mainly affects a very productive sector of the population and constitutes a challenge for health authorities given its public health implications.
What is depression?
The clinical depression, or depressive disorder is a mental illness characterised by a depressed mood, a permanent feeling of sadness, apathy, fatigue or frustration, which occurs as an exaggerated response to a negative event or for no apparent reason. It is also characterised by the person's inability to take corrective action.
The depression occurs most frequently in young individuals between 30 and 45 years of age. It is estimated that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will suffer from some form of depressive disorder at some point in their lives.
In Malaga, it has been reported that depressive disorder as the most common mental illness, even more common than the anxiety and substance use. In total, in 2015 there was a prevalence of 5.2% of the population, with about 2.4 million people in Spain alone.
This has the effect that the depressive disorder represents a very high economic cost, including consultations, hospitalisations, psychological and pharmacological treatments, as well as the indirect cost in lost working hours, lack of productivity and high rates of disability.
Treatment of depression
There are many reasons to go to a specialised consultation in depression or to a psychiatric centre, depression experts as the Integral Psychiatric Clinical Centre CIPS Malaga
Firstly, depression is the leading cause of disability, impairing work performance and productivity. At the public health level this represents a significant waste of resources. Statistics indicate that it is one of the main causes of absenteeism, either directly or because it is closely linked to a whole range of medical problems that have a major impact at the occupational level.
The depression in Malagaaffects the quality of life in many areas: social, occupational, personal, emotional and intellectual. There is an increased risk of suicide in depressed people, so its importance takes on great relevance, taking into account that there is a growing prevalence of the disease in adolescents and young individuals.
At the family level, the disease leaves its mark on both partners and children. In the case of women, a strong influence on the mood of the children and profound changes in the family dynamics are described. On the other hand, men have a negative influence on the behaviour of their children.
The influence on the population goes beyond the labour market and has a major impact on the social performance of the individual.
Effects of Depression
On a personal level, the depression can lead to a range of physical consequences, including the following:
- It decreases compliance with other treatments the affected person is receiving and increases the likelihood of other medical complications.
- It favours the development of cardiovascular risk factors such as sedentary lifestyles, smoking, substance use, including alcohol, and obesity. In fact, a higher incidence of metabolic disorders has been found in people with depression.
- There is a marked decrease in immunity, making them more susceptible to common infections or to complicated or rare infectious conditions.
- Depression has already been identified as a predictor of mortality as it is directly linked to an increase in chronic diseases.
- Neurological diseases, especially cognitive and degenerative diseases, occur more frequently in depressed individuals.
All this information highlights the importance of diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of this disease.
Correct clinical assessment: the start to real improvement
The participation of a multidisciplinary team, in which the expert psychiatrist represents the fundamental pillar, guarantees faster and more prolonged results, especially in the most severe cases or when depression is combined with other mental problems, which is quite common. Cips Malaga by the hand of the Dr. Eloy Rodriguez Arrebola has a multidisciplinary team that deals with depressive disorder in all its phases.
Likewise, there are causes of depression physical, especially hormonal, neurological and metabolic, which must be carefully ruled out.
It follows that although the symptoms of depression have been well standardised in worldwide consensuses, there are several types of depression and combinations of two or more. mental disorders. The correct diagnostic approach aims to rule out physical pathologies that may affect mood, as well as to detect other mental problems that require special treatment.
The psychiatrist andis able to assess the risk of suicide, co-morbidities and conduct systematic monitoring, with an assessment of adherence to therapy to reduce relapse and ensure long-term or definitive exit from depression.
How to treat depression?
For overcoming depressionThe psychiatrist has a range of medications called antidepressants, which have different mechanisms of action, and which are selected according to many factors that must be taken into account during the assessment.
The expert psychiatrist should not only choose the right depression medication, but also its dosage and monitor for side effects or the need for changes in dosage or antidepressant.
How to help a person with depression?
If there is someone close to you in your family or social environment who suffers from depression, it is very important that you can be available to help and maintain close communication with the person and listen without recrimination. Some ways to help would be:
- It supports the patient in complying with medical treatment.
- Knowledge of the disease is often a good measure.
- Convey affection and understanding to the depressed person.
- It monitors patient elements such as self-care, diet, sleep and physical activity, which significantly help to overcome depression.
- Be aware of the risks of suicide and try to maintain a safe environment for those most at risk.
Identifies warning signs or worsening symptoms of depression.
Cips Malaga we are a centre specialised in mental health located in Malaga City directed by the Doctor Eloy Rodríguez Arrebola. a psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in the treatment of mental illnesses and in the approaching depression.
