Depression
DépressionIl is important to distinguish between depression and depression. While depression is a normal reaction to certain life events and has a limited duration, depression is a real illness that requires treatment. The risk of suffering from depression during our life is 17%. The duration of depression is usually long. It can even extend over one or two years if not treated.
Depression: All about depression
In the presence of depression, imbalances affect three neurotransmitters in the brain: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages from one nerve cell to another.
Thus, a decrease of serotonin often leads to loss of sleep, decreased appetite, anxiety and thoughts haunting, a decrease of norepinephrine causes a loss of energy and negative thoughts, while a decrease of dopamine causes a lack of interest and pleasure as well as disorders of concentration.
These biological changes explain why some depressed people are unable to respond to signs of encouragement.
The main symptoms of depression are:
* Loss of interest in activities from at least two weeks;
* Social withdrawal;
* Sleep disorders;
* Eating disorders associated with loss or weight gain;
* Loss of energy and enjoyment;
* Slowdown or, conversely, restlessness;
* Decrease in concentration;
* Guilt;
* Thoughts of death;
* Suicidal thoughts.