What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness, emotional emptiness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable.

This isn't a lack of willpower or a negative attitude. It's also not something that can be fixed simply by «pulling yourself together.» Depression involves emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioural changes that require specialist attention.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 300 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depressive disorder.

Recommended reading I have depression or is it just tiredness

Difference between sadness and depression

Feeling sad is a natural response to loss, disappointment, or difficult situations.

Depression, on the other hand:

• It lasts for weeks or months.
• It significantly interferes with daily life.
• Reduce the capacity to enjoy.
• It affects self-esteem.
• Causes persistent physical and emotional changes.

While sadness tends to fluctuate and improve with time, depression tends to persist or worsen if left untreated.

Recommended reading Difficult duel

Main symptoms of depression

Symptoms can vary from person to person, although there are some common signs.

Emotional symptoms

• Persistent sadness.
• Feeling of emptiness.
• Despair.
• Irritability.
• Apathy.
• Loss of interest in usual activities.
• Constant feeling of guilt.

Cognitive symptoms

• Recurring negative thoughts.
• Low self-esteem.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Memory problems.
• Indecision.
• A pessimistic view of the future.

Physical symptoms

• Constant fatigue.
• Lack of energy.
• Muscle or body aches with no clear medical cause.
• Digestive problems.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Changes in appetite.

Behavioural symptoms

• Social isolation.
• Reduction of activities.
• Abandoning hobbies.
• Lower work or academic performance.
• Neglected personal self-care.

Recommended reading La terapia cognitivo-conductual se basa en la idea de que nuestros pensamientos, emociones y comportamientos están interconectados, y que al cambiar patrones de pensamiento negativos o inútiles, podemos cambiar nuestras emociones y comportamientos. Se enfoca en problemas actuales y en la búsqueda de soluciones prácticas para mejorar el bienestar.

Red flags that should not be ignored

Some people normalise their discomfort for too long.

It is advisable to consult with a psychologist when situations such as these arise:

• Feeling sad most of the time.
• To have lost the enthusiasm for almost everything.
• Having difficulty getting up in the mornings.
• Feeling that nothing is worthwhile.
• Constantly thinking about past mistakes.
• Having thoughts related to death or suicide.

The sooner you intervene, the faster the recovery usually is.

Recommended reading Severe depression or major depression

What are the causes of depression?

Depression often appears due to a combination of several factors.

Biological factors

Some people have a greater genetic or neurochemical vulnerability to developing depressive disorders. Influenced by:

• Neurotransmitter alterations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Hormonal changes.
• Medical conditions.

Traumatic experiences

Difficult events can act as triggers:

• Duels.
• Divorces.
• Accidents.
• Serious illnesses.
• Abuse.
• Emotional neglect.

Prolonged stress

Situations maintained over time can favour the onset of depression:

• Work-related issues.
• Economic difficulties.
• Family conflicts.
• Overload of responsibilities.

Psychological factors

Certain thinking styles increase vulnerability:

• Perfectionism.
• Excessive self-criticism.
• Low self-esteem.
• A constant need for approval.
• Recurring negative thoughts.

Types of depression

Not all cases of depression present in the same way.

Major depressive disorder

It's the best-known form and usually causes significant deterioration in daily life.

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

It is characterised by symptoms that are less severe but last for a longer period of time.

Many people live with this form of depression for years without receiving treatment.

Peripartum depression

It can occur during pregnancy or after the birth of a child. The term ‘postpartum’ used to be more commonly used

Intense sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty forming an emotional bond with the baby.

An extension of this type: Peripartum depression

Seasonal affective disorder

It mainly appears during the months with less sunlight.

It is more common in autumn and winter.

Depression associated with bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder alternate between depressive episodes and episodes of mania or hypomania.

Depression can affect daily life in many ways.

Depression doesn't just affect your mood.

It also influences:

Personal relationships

• Isolation.
• Family conflicts.
• Communication difficulties.
• Loss of social interest.

Work and studies

• Lower productivity.
• Concentration problems.
• Absences from work.
• Feeling of inability.

Physical health

Various research has linked depression with:

• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Chronic pain.
• Immunological alterations.
• Digestive problems.
• Sleep disorders.

How do I know if I need psychological help?

It is advisable to seek professional support when:

• Symptoms last for more than two weeks.
• The discomfort is interfering with your daily life.
• You feel you cannot manage the situation on your own.
• You have lost interest in almost everything.
• Your self-esteem is very low.
• Thoughts Related to Death or Suicide Appear.

Asking for help doesn't mean you're weak. It means you're starting to take care of your mental health.

Recommended reading When to see a psychologist

Psychological treatment for depression in Fuengirola and Mijas

The good news is that depression can be treated and overcome.

At CALMA Psicólogos, we carry out an individualised assessment to understand which factors are maintaining the problem and to design a therapeutic plan tailored to each person.

This is a reality we work with every day, and it is part of the services offered by our team of psychologists:

Attention for depression

Different types of therapy for depression:

According to the criteria of the professional evaluating in the initial sessions, some of the most common therapy approaches are:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

It is one of the treatments with the greatest scientific backing.

Allow

• Identify negative thoughts.
• Modify limiting beliefs.
• Regain rewarding activities.
• Improve coping skills.

Click to: Find out more about CBT

EMDR Therapy

When depression is linked to traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy can be particularly helpful.

This approach helps to reprocess painful memories that continue to generate emotional distress.

Click for: in-depth expansion on EMDR

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Help with:

• Understanding emotions.
• Managing sadness.
• Lessen self-criticism.
• Increase self-compassion.

Extension Emotional Regulation

Coordination with psychiatry

In some cases, it may be advisable to supplement psychotherapy with pharmacological treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist.

The combination of both interventions usually offers excellent results when the symptomatology is moderate or severe.

Can depression be overcome?

Yes.

Definitely yes.

Recovery is possible.

With the right treatment, many people achieve:

• To regain enthusiasm.
• Improve your self-esteem.
• To enjoy everyday activities again.
• Develop healthier relationships.
• Regain energy and motivation.
• Develop tools for relapse prevention.

Each process is different, but improvement often begins when a person stops facing the problem alone.

To be successful in the process, it is vitally important to achieve a good: Therapeutic alliance

Regaining well-being is possible

Depression can make everything seem more difficult, more burdensome, or even impossible. However, with professional support, it's possible to understand what's happening, reclaim personal resources, and build a more satisfying and balanced life.

When to seek professional help

You don't have to wait until you hit rock bottom to go to therapy.

Seeking early help can prevent symptoms from worsening and facilitate a quicker recovery.

If you feel that sadness, apathy, hopelessness, or lack of energy are conditioning your life, talking to a professional can make a big difference.