Today there are many people who suffer fromchronic depression, which is acommon and quite serious problemthat negatively affects the emotional health of those who suffer from it, since it is a type of disorder that occurs in a prolonged manner.
The main symptoms suffered by people suffering from chronic depression are irritability, sadness, isolation, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances and lack of energy or concentration, whichcause a rather negative effecton quality of life.
Therefore, in the following article, everything about chronic depression will be explained, where the possible causes that generate it, its symptoms and treatment to combat it will be presented.
What is chronic depression?
Chronic depression or consistent depressive disorder that can occur at any age, is a mental state prolonged for a period of time, which becomes illness on a person, which is characterized byhaving no interestin various activities of a normal nature such as eating, talking or working.
In this sense, a report published by theSpanish Society of Family and Community Medicine mentions that chronic depression consists of an alteration of moodwhere sadness, isolation, fatigue, thoughts of guilt or uselessness occur. (1)
Fun fact: Another pathology related to depression isdysthymia, which is adepressive moodsuffered by a person for a minimum of two years, who needs professional primary care.
Causes of chronic depression
Chronic depression is a mood disorder that can be caused by several reasons, although it is usually due to mental disorders or psychological trauma that have affected a person’s behavior, these being the following:
Brain alterations
One of the main causes that cause chronic depression in a person are brain disorders, where there was a variation of a gene or a mutation thereof , which as a consequence affects the development and functioning of the brain.
To highlight: A study carried out at the National University of Distance Education in Spain, mentions that behavioral disorders are consequences of acquired damage to the brain , which cause neurological disorders in people such as chronic depression. (two)
Genetic factors
One of the causes that seems frequent in chronic depression in people is the genetic factor, where Ancestral Blood Relatives who have had this disorder Can Inherit it to their children due to the variation in genes they may have.
Traumatic Experiences
Chronic depression can also be caused by traumatic experiences that a person has had, since they could imply a life threat or an overwhelming situation that affects behavior due to the emotional experience lived.
Important: A study carried out at the Los Libertadores University in Colombia explains that traumatic experiences are events with an informational charge that affect patients in the long term, where they have not been able to consciously integrate this fact into their lives. (3)
History of mental disorders
A person with a history of mental disorders may suffer from chronic depression, having had an episode of brain alteration in the past, since these are long-lasting and can cause serious personality disorders.
Note: People who have suffered from mental disorders in the past may have active or residual symptoms of these, affecting their neural ability to perform daily activities, such as self-care, managing emotions or social interactions.
Symptoms of chronic depression
Chronic depression is an emotional disorder that causes multiple symptoms on a person, which can lead to a serious health risk or complications in their daily life such as work or family, for which the following are taken into account:
Lack of energy and concentration
A main symptom of chronic depression is the lack of energyand concentration on one or more specific issues. Thisis due to the accumulation of stress, worry, problems or responsibilities that cause fatigue and disorientation.
To highlight: The lack of energy and concentration in people are severe problemsthat, if action is not taken quickly to reduce or eliminate them, can further harm mental and physical health, which worsens the main problem, which is depression. Chronicle.
Sadness and apathy
Sadness and apathy are one of the symptoms that are most manifested in chronic depression , since there is a feeling of hopelessness and continuous unhappiness that cause discouragement and disappointment, interfering with the development of daily life.
Important: A study carried out at the National Autonomous University of Mexico mentions that sadness and depression are indicators of a confusing and painful stage in a person, which is complex to treat in which other symptoms may occur. (4)
Sleep and appetite disturbances
Another of the symptoms that chronic depression causes in a person are changes in sleep and appetite, in which there is great difficulty in falling asleep at night, as well as changing mealtimesor even omitting them. tag.
In the same way, these symptoms represent a serious problem for people’s health, since they can cause irritability, excessive weight loss or aggressive and apathetic behavioral changes about almost anything.
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem in people is generally caused by negative perceptions and thoughtsabout oneself. This most often happens thanks to strong episodes of sadness that are happening in the environment.
Note: When a person lacks self-esteem , they perceive themselves as useless or incompetentin some area of life, which prevents them from recognizing how valuable and talented they are, frequently practicing self-denial.
Irritability
It is also possible to have several episodes of irritability when suffering from chronic depression, since there will always be a small feeling of frustration and anger that can become serious due to seemingly small problems.
Although irritability can become normal on some occasions, it should be tried to be controlled as soon as possible , because excessive feelings and emotions can cause a lot of frustration and hatred that affect relationships and daily life.
Isolation
A person with depression will intentionally try to isolate themselves to avoid any possible social interaction or responsibility, since the desire to talk or carry out any activity is very little or almost non-existent when feeling sad.
To highlight: Isolation manifests itself when a person Voluntarilydistances himself significantly from his environment . This can cause consequences such as more severe depression, attention deficit disorder, difficulty making decisions, or extreme loneliness.
Treatment for chronic depression
Once the causes of chronic depression and the symptoms that can manifest themselves are known, it is also necessary to mention the treatments to combat this disorder and thus help those who need it, these being the following:
Psychological therapy
One of the main recommendations is to go to psychological therapy, in order to carry out a more personalized treatment and achieve better results through talks, questionnaires, tests, mental exercises, and even hypnosis.
Note: The help of a psychologist will serve to find a way to live in harmony with oneself.
prescription drugs
The use of prescription drugs can help combat depression when it is already a case diagnosed as a disease. Antidepressants are drugs that have chemicals, which are generally serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which serve to regulate the mood of depressed patients.
Avoid the consumption of alcohol and psychotropic substances
The consumption of alcohol and psychotropic substances should be avoided at all, since they worsen depression, making it more difficult to solve the problem, because they can cause addiction, thus triggering other risks and serious health consequences.
Maintain a healthy diet and be physically active
It is important to maintain a healthy diet to combat chronic depression, since by providing the body with the necessary nutrients for its proper functioning, it ensures that it maintains energy and good health to carry out activities.
Tip: In case you feel sad, doing physical exercises helps to significantly reduce the symptomsof chronic depression. This, in turn, improves the energy and health of the body, providing a better state of mind as a benefit.
Lean on loved ones
A person who suffers from chronic depression should rely on their loved ones as much as possible, since they should act as a pillar in times of crisis and difficulty where help is required, which will try to lift the spirits of those who are depressed.
Key Findings
- Chronic depression is a depressive disorder that is maintained recurrently for a long period of time.
- There are several causes that can cause chronic depression, but most of these are due to genetic factors that have been inherited, however, it is also possible that it is caused by traumatic experiences.
- The symptoms that manifest in depression turn out to be harmful for anyone, since sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, irritability, isolation or low self-esteem usually occur.
- Finally, to reduce chronic depression , psychological therapy, maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity are recommended.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.