Brazil is the country with the highest prevalence of depression, according to the Ministry of Health. The disease is most associated with suicide, according to the ministry. In the country, 14 thousand cases are registered per year, which is equivalent to, on average, 38 deaths per day. In view of this, the campaign Yellow September seeks to raise awareness about depression and prevent suicide.
According to the Ministry of Health, the lifetime prevalence of depression in Brazil is 15.5%. Risk factors include family history, related psychiatric disorders, chronic stress, chronic anxiety, hormonal disorders, psychological trauma, marital conflicts, sudden changes in financial conditions, and unemployment. In addition, there is evidence that the disease may have genetic causes.
“Depression can manifest itself in subtle ways and vary from person to person, but generally speaking, the first signs involve a persistent change in mood,” says Jacqueline Mazzoni, assistant coordinator of the psychology course and coordinator of the Psychology School-Clinic at Universidade Cidade de S. Paulo (Unicid), CNN . “People may start to feel sad or empty, with a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable,” he adds.
In general, the first signs of depression may include symptoms such as:
- Discouragement and feeling of sadness, most days;
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness;
- Lack or decrease of interest or pleasure in subjects or activities that were previously pleasurable;
- Difficulty socializing;
- Changes in sleep (insomnia or excessive sleep);
- Changes in appetite (which may lead to weight loss or gain);
- Fatigue;
- Difficulty concentrating.
In some cases, they may arise physical symptoms related to depression . This is the case with frequent headaches, muscle and joint pain, digestive problems (stomach ache or constipation) and extreme fatigue. “These symptoms are often difficult to associate with depression and, therefore, can go unnoticed or be treated in isolation. For this reason, therapy also plays an important role, helping the person to understand the relationship between their physical and emotional symptoms and to develop ways of dealing with them”, says Mazzoni.
“Depression is a multifaceted disorder. Despite having a well-defined diagnostic criterion, people can manifest different forms of depression in relation to symptoms and their intensity,” reinforces Elton Kanomata, psychiatrist at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, CNN.
More serious warning signs of depression
According to Kanomata, any symptom of depression that is more intense becomes a warning sign of the greater severity of the disease. “A very large appetite, to the point where the person has significant weight gain, leading to pathologies such as diabetes, high cholesterol and fatty liver, is one of them. The opposite is also true, when the person loses appetite, skips several meals and begins to lose weight, which can even progress to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency,” explains the specialist.
In general, according to the sources consulted, the main serious warning signs for depression include:
- Deep hopelessness;
- Social isolation;
- Inability to perform everyday tasks;
- Sharp drop in performance in activities that were previously performed with ease.
“The issue of lack of self-care is also a serious warning sign and can be quite compromised, such as not buying groceries for the house, not cleaning the house, in addition to the lack of personal hygiene, such as taking a shower, brushing teeth and combing the hair”, lists Kanomata. “Eventually, people who have diseases such as high blood pressure, among others, may stop taking medication or scheduling medical appointments. In short, the person puts their entire life on hold”, he exemplifies.
In severe cases of depression, the person may also start to have suicidal ideation, that is, recurring thoughts related to their own death as a solution to the anguish and sadness felt.
“Signs of suicidal ideation include increased social isolation, talking about death or suicide, looking for ways to harm oneself, such as weapons or medication, and drastic changes in behavior, such as suddenly saying goodbye to friends or family,” says Mazzoni.
“Other clues include a lack of hope for the future, talking about being a “burden” to others or showing a sudden calm after a period of depression, which may indicate that the person has made a decision to end their life,” adds the coordinator.
How to seek and offer help
Identifying the warning signs of depression is the first step in seeking help, whether for a relative or friend who is going through the situation, or for yourself. For those who want to offer support, the important thing is to show empathy and actively listen to the person’s anxieties, without judgment. It is also important to It is essential to seek psychiatric and psychological care — even when the depressed person refuses to seek help.
“Dealing with a loved one who refuses to seek help can be challenging, but it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and patience. Listening without judgment and offering ongoing emotional support, showing that you’re there to help when the person is ready, can make a difference,” Mazzoni advises.
“However, it is also essential to respect their limits. Encouraging them to seek out a therapist can be an important step, offering alternatives, such as initial consultations or even online therapy options, which are often more comfortable for some people,” he adds.
In the case of people who have suicidal ideation, it is possible to seek out reference centers that can offer shelter and emotional support to the person. Center for the Appreciation of Life (CVV) for example, offers free emotional support and suicide prevention services to people who want and need to talk, confidentially and anonymously.
Service can be provided by calling 188, available 24 hours a day and free of charge, via chat, email or in person, directly at CVV offices (check the website for more information).
In addition, family and friends should form a support network for people with depression and suicidal ideation, as Kanomata advises. “A support network can help ensure that the person receives help, can accompany the person to psychiatric and medical appointments, help them with household chores and self-care practices. So, it is important to have people at this critical time to ensure that treatment is carried out regularly,” he says.
Signs of improvement in the condition
According to the experts consulted, signs that depression treatment is having an effect include factors such as:
- Resuming activities that the person enjoys;
- Greater social involvement;
- Improved mood;
- Reduction of physical symptoms;
- Increased disposition and energy;
- Better ability to plan for the future;
- Regaining autonomy for daily activities.
“Continuing psychotherapy is crucial to sustaining these improvements, helping the person to maintain their achievements and deal with possible relapses in a healthier way,” reiterates Mazzoni.
This content was originally published in Yellow September: what are the warning signs of depression? on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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