Recognizing depression: Everything you need to know about the disease

Depression: symptoms, signs and help

Depression is a serious illness. If you often feel sad, listless or joyless and find it difficult to cope with your everyday life, seek help! Under“Where to find help for depression”you jump directly to the help offers.

You don't know whether it's depression, what it actually is and how you can theoretically get out of it? Here you can find helpful information about the disease.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental illness that affects the way we think, feel and act. Anyone who is depressed is not “just” sad, upset or in a bad mood. Depressed people, for example, find it difficult to, to feel emotions such as joy or to complete “normal” tasks.

You can suffer from depression at any age - even children and older people are not excluded. Women are about twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. This is often explained by hormonal fluctuations. However, there are also differences in depressive behavior between men and women - and depression is discovered less frequently in men.

The effects of depression can manifest themselves both mentally and physically. According to the foundationGerman depression helpIn 2024, around 45 percent will be affected by depression: that is, either directly due to their own illness (24%) or indirectly as a relative (26%). 5 percent of the German population are affected themselves and at the same time are relatives of a sick person.

Types of Depression:

Overall, there are three types of depression:

Depressive Episode:The symptoms are present for at least two weeks - but then disappear on their own. In 75 percent of those affected, depressive episodes recur if left untreated. That's why therapy is important here too.
Recurrent depressive disorder:The person repeatedly has severe depressive episodes, some of which last for a very long time. This severely affects the person's life. Treatment is absolutely necessary.
Chronic depression(Dysthymia): People with dysthymia have continuous depressive symptoms - this type of depression is often not recognized because the mood is considered “normal”. Here too, the person's life can be affected. In therapy, methods can be learned on how to deal with this depression.

How do you know that you are depressed?

Depression manifests itself in different symptoms from person to person and can have different severity. The disease can be associated with psychological symptoms (such as listlessness or...), but also accompanied by physical signs (such as pain, dizziness, lack of concentration, gastrointestinal problems or shortness of breath).

Basically you are in a survival mode. You drag yourself from one day to the next, barely feeling any joy in the things you used to enjoy, and really just trying to work towards getting to bed in the evening. There are also high phases: just if you can feel joy in the meantime doesn't mean that you aren't depressed. It depends on the duration and intensity of the period.

The symptoms (whether mental or physical) of depression last over a longer period of time. Depending on how many signs of depression are present, experts divide the illness into three levels of severity: mild, moderate and severe.

What are signs/symptoms of depression?

People who suffer from depression often complain about the following things:

extreme(also throughout the day)
general lack of motivation and/or inner restlessness
(unexplainable) depression
Loss of joy
Dizziness or feeling dizzy
Loss of interest
decreased self-esteem
Fears about the future
Overwhelm in everyday life
the feeling of inner emptiness
decreased concentration
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Feeling of worthlessness
little to none
weight loss
Sleep disorders
Apathy

To be considered depression in a medical sense, the symptoms must be severe, cannot be influenced from outside and last at least two weeks. Only a doctor, psychiatrist or psychotherapist can make a diagnosis.

How does depression come about?

There is no clear answer to the question. Depression can affect anyone - no matter what a great childhood they had or how much money they earn. There are certain internal and external factors that can interact to promote depression. This includes, among other things:

genetic requirements
Stress
Trauma triggers and sudden changes (, family problems, the loss of people through death, trauma)
other diseases (hormone imbalances, diabetes, intestinal diseases)
Alcohol or drug use
certain medications

An interaction of these and other factors can promote depression. Then we speak of a pre-load.

How does depression start?

Depression often begins when the patient is often tired, cannot concentrate well and is in a bad mood (perhaps even seemingly for no reason). Lack of motivation and a general loss of interest are also among the initial signs.

You can often recognize three phases of depression:

First, sport is avoided and physical activity is avoided as much as possible.
Afterwards, a balanced diet is avoided. People often eat exactly the same thing repeatedly, ready meals, quick meals, etc. Nutrition is just part of the survival strategy. Physical hygiene is also neglected.
Ultimately, social contacts are (almost) completely broken off and social isolation occurs.

Of course, these phases can overlap, merge into one another and continually get better and worse.

Am I “just” sad or already depressed?

To question this, the German Medical Association, among others, recommends the so-called two-question test (for a first impression). If you can answer “yes” to both questions, you should choose oneTalk to a doctor or psychotherapist about it:

In the past month, have you often found yourself less interested and enjoying things that you normally enjoy doing?
Have you felt depressed, sad, depressed or hopeless more often than usual in the past month?

According to the German Medical Association, the most important signs of depression are:

a depressed and depressed mood
Loss of interest and joylessness
Lack of drive and fatigue

You should contact a doctor, especially if there has been a severe change in your mood. If two of the signs persist for more than two weeks, it could be due to oneindicate, according to the medical association.

Is rest good for depression?

(Social) isolation is one of the biggest symptoms of depression. Of course you don't want to do anything other than isolate yourself and just lie in your bed. Often it is not physically/mentally possible to get up and take care of yourself. Normally you should listen to your body when it gives you clear signals to calm down. But not with depression.

Depressed people's symptoms can worsen if they spend too much time in bed or on the couch. This is what scientists from the Depression Research Center of the German Depression Aid Foundation found out. Returning to work or rather a clear routine should help people with depression reduce depressive episodes and can even - depending on the case - have a therapeutic effect, according to experts.

However, since depression is often accompanied by a lack of motivation, it is not that easy for those affected to implement it. But: small steps are better than no steps at all. You can find various tips and tricks on the Internet on how you can trick yourself into establishing a routine or exercising, even if you are depressed. Did you know that you can also exercise in bed? Search for “depression workout.” This may sound ridiculous at first, but it really helps (trust me).

The internet, and social media in particular, can contribute to depression. But sometimes they also help. Describing short walks as a “mental health walk” or “hot girl strut” can help trick your brain into forcing yourself to exercise. Yes: sunshine and walks do not cure depression. But: These are important supports on the way to improvement.

What shouldn't you do if you're depressed?

First of all, you should understand that you are not alone in the world with your worries and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Does one of your fellow human beings have it?It's best to hold off on giving well-intentioned advice.

A “You have to go out the door more often!” or “It’s not all that bad!” are counterproductive here. Instructions that put even more pressure on those affected, such as “You won’t get anywhere like that!” are just as inappropriate.

You can find tips on how you can really help friends with depression here:

What helps quickly with depression?

There is no quick miracle cure for depression – no matter what anyone tells you. But there is still healing.

The most common method is a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants or psychotherapeutics. Which therapy is the right one depends on the severity (mild, moderate, severe) of the depression. Body work can also support healing (such as:), art therapy, light therapy or therapy with trained therapy horses.

Secondary illnesses often occur together with depression. These can be addictions, anorexia, anxiety and panic disorders or personality disorders. A therapy tailored precisely to the person is therefore important for healing.

Can you ever get rid of depression?

Depressive phases can alternate with phases of largely healthy health. However, for more than half of those affected, depression will return at some point in their lives - especially if the depression has not been treated before. That's why it's important that you go to a doctor even if you're experiencing “depressive phases”.

This can be difficult due to the few therapy places in Germany. You will find further points of contact for help at the end of this article.

Although you may have to take pills for a long time, severe depression is also easily treatable these days. The most important thing is: time.

Where can you find help for depression?

You're not alone. There are different ways to get help - whether you prefer to talk on the phone, speak in person or chat.

Are you actively in crisis? Then you should do the following:

In an emergency situation you can always dial the emergency number on 112.
Call the on-call service on: 116 117 - this will give you the nearest clinic with a psychiatric department.
Telephone counselingCall: (0800) 111 0 111 or (0800) 111 0 222 - here you can get free and anonymous advice directly, around the clock. There is also a chat function here if you don't like talking on the phone.
Go to your trusted family doctor and get help.
Let your loved ones know if you need to be taken directly to a clinic.

Here you can get long-term or short-term help:

Telephone counseling: On the nationwide number (0800) 111 0 111 or on theWebsiteyou can find someone to talk to 24/7.
There are also various regional crisis services that you can contact. In Bavaria, for example, you, those affected and relatives can receive qualified advice and support in mental crises on (0800) 655 3000.
“Number against grief”: Children and young people receive free advice here.
Children and youth hotline: Monday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on: 116 111
Parent telephone: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on: (0800) 111 05 50
German depression help: The depression help line provides you with further information about depression in general. On the website you will also find important information about symptoms, a self-test and other addresses you can contact.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on (0800) 33 44 533
Discussion forum Depression: Do you need someone to talk to and exchange ideas with? No matter whether you are affected or someone close to you is affected. Here you will find discussion contributions to read or discuss yourself.
This offers advice and self-help groups specifically for relativesPsychiatrienetz BApK
NAKOS(National contact and information point for stimulating and supporting self-help groups): If you would like to join a self-help group, contact NAKOS on (030) 3101 8960 or visit the website.