23 February is the National Day Against Depression. It is an opportunity to broaden our knowledge regarding mental health as over 350 million people worldwide suffers from depression.<\/p>\n
Dorota Prysak, PhD\u2014whose interests revolve around therapy, psychodrama, social inclusion of people with diverse needs, special education, social functioning of people with disabilities and nursing homes\u2014tells us more about depressive disorders and explains that depression is not contagious.<\/p>\n
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Violetta Kulik: What are the factors that cause depression? What, in fact, is depression?<\/strong> \u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0social determinants \u2013 chronic stress and workaholism causing decreased mood.<\/p>\n Violetta Kulik: The feeling of hopelessness and sadness, angry outbursts \u2013 these are the symptoms. Who might be affected by depression and why?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: Who is able to diagnose depression?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: What is the treatment like?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: \u00a0She\/He doesn\u2019t feel like doing anything today; she\/he had a bad day. Why is our society still unable to accompany others in illness\/disease? Why is mental illness still a reason to feel embarrassed in Poland?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: A person suffering from depression needs some support and to be accepted. How to help and talk with them?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: How to pursue happiness and avoid depression, then? Is there anything we can do for ourselves as well as others?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: Where to search for information about depression?<\/strong> Violetta Kulik: Thank you very much for the interview.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″]\r\n Dorota Prysak, PhD<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row] […]<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: For quite some time, depression has been one of the most often occurring mental disorders. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 350 million people around the world suffer from depression; it is usually diagnosed in people aged 20-40, with women affected twice as often as men. According to the statistics<\/a>,\u00a0around 1.5 million Poles suffer from depression. First of all, depression decreases the quality of life and often causes suffering. Moreover, it increases the chance of suffering from other diseases and illnesses. It significantly hinders professional, social and personal functioning. Unfortunately, although we have vast knowledge when it comes to depression diagnosis as well as methods of its treatment and providing help to people suffering from it, the disease often remains undiagnosed and untreated.
\nWe can point out three main groups of determinants contributing to depression:
\n\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0biological\/genetic determinants \u2013 a higher risk of suffering from depression occurs in families with a member who suffers from depression;
\n\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0psychological determinants \u2013 related to traumas, crises, or interpersonal relations;<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: Depression might affect us at any point in our lives, regardless of age. We are already talking about infant depression, which is a consequence of losing a substantial relationship, that is, the bond with the mother. The illness may also occur in young children. Scientific research, statistical data, and my own experience allow me to say that depressive disorders in children and adolescents are becoming more common. It is also said a lot about depression in adulthood. However, I would also like to point to the depression of our parents \u2013 seniors. It often occurs as a consequence of an illness.
\nDepression can affect any of us; there is no exception. Sometimes, I come across opinions that it is a disease of affluence. Indeed, it occurs much more often in highly developed countries in terms of economy. Why? My answer will be nothing new and groundbreaking. I side with the statements that point to too little rest and too much work, too little physical activity at the cost of a more static lifestyle, chronic stress, and transferring interpersonal relations onto social media.<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: If we experience deteriorating mood, lack of energy, and feel constantly tired, these might be the first symptoms of depression (but not necessarily). \u00a0Nevertheless, we should not wait for it to fade away. On the contrary, we should take care of ourselves as fast as possible. You may also visit your GP first and ask him to refer you for a basic medical check-up to rule out other conditions. A GP may also refer you to a specialist, or we can make an appointment with a psychiatrist and\/or therapist ourselves.<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: Depression treatment is to combat or relieve symptoms. Depending on the progress of depression, drug treatment, psychotherapy or a combination of both are effective for most people with depression. Antidepressants affect the brain\u2019s neurochemical transmission and receptors of nerve cells making them more or less sensitive to binding such substances as serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, and their concentration in our body affects our mood and well-being to a significant degree. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is an attempt to use psychological methods to change the way of thinking and reacting. Such a therapy, above all, aims at changing the thinking process (cognitive structures) in a person suffering from depression through an attempt to teach and verify the correctness of thoughts. It is done by analysing the available information and facts.<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: Mental disorder is a complex issue that evokes many different emotions, and not always positive ones. If something feels unknown to us, it triggers fear and resistance. Although, the main reason seems to be the unaware society. It might be a bit odd, but sometimes I may hear the question of whether depression is contagious.
\nAccording to the statistical manual of the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5, there are several subtypes of depressive disorders; and that alone does not make it easier for the society to understand the essence of the disease. I often come across statements: ‘I go to work,’ ‘I do household chores,’ \u2018was he depressed, he would lie at home and not have the strength to get up.’ On the one hand, those who say such things are right because that used to be the case; but nowadays, we may often hear about people suffering from high-functioning depression when everything seems to be okay, and yet there is a noticeable decrease in the comfort of life. A person suffering from depression functions worse in every sphere, will it be professional, social or private. Such a person shows a combination of some symptoms that interfere with and hinder everyday functioning, e.g. at work, sleeping, eating… At first, such a person withdraws from social contact. They suffer from asthenia, i.e. constant fatigue and weakness, the feeling of helplessness, and permanently decreased mood. They experience anhedonia (that is, the loss of ability to feel pleasure and joy), they are anxious and irritable, as well as have impaired concentration and memory impairment. And thus, a question pops out: who does not experience these that? We often have an answer to this question, that is, \u2018I do not feel sorry for myself; I just force myself to do certain things every day.\u2019<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: Talking with a person suffering from depression is often challenging. Nonetheless, the thing we can offer them is time and our company. Simply be with them. Unfortunately, it seems to be a luxury few can afford in today\u2019s busy world. Thanks to our company, such a person is not lonely and alone. Afterwards, once we have gained their trust, we may be able to suggest to them to take certain baby-step actions to take.<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: \u00a0I can recommend what is effective in my life, the 5×5 rule:
\n\u2013 try to take care of your physical health for 5 minutes a day 5 days a week;
\n\u2013 try to introduce 5-minute relaxation activity a day for 5 days a week;
\n\u2013 try to write a journal for 5 days a week, e.g. about the things you are grateful for;
\n\u2013 try to appreciate social interaction with one selected by you person for 5 days a week;
\n\u2013 try to laugh for 5 minutes a day 5 days a week.
\nApart from that, if you have the chance to catch the sunlight, catch it as often and as much of it as you can.<\/p>\n
\nDorota Prysak, PhD: There is a lot of information about depression itself and about how we can help those who suffer from depression:
\n\u2013 for adults:\u00a0https:\/\/forumprzeciwdepresji.pl\/depresja\/o-chorobie\/statystyki<\/a>;
\n\u2013 for children and adolescents: \u2018Nawigacja w ka\u017cd\u0105 pogod\u0119\u2019 [Navigation come rain or shine], developed by the Institute for Integrated Prevention \u2013 a free-of-charge package of research and prevention tools for school staff at\u00a0http:\/\/ipzin.org\/o-instytucie\/<\/a>;
\n\u2013 Antidepressant Phone of the Forum Against Depression: 22 594 91 00 and a website:\u00a0https:\/\/forumprzeciwdepresji.pl\/wazne-telefony-antydepresyjne<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"dr](\"https:\/\/us.edu.pl\/wydzial\/wns\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/Nieprzypisane\/zdjecie-dorota-prysak-792x1024.jpg\")
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