It is believed that recurrences of depression can cause rapid changes destabilizing the lifestyle, work and even diet currently occurring in the world for generations.
Stressogenic phenomena provoking relapses
We have to adapt to an extended working day, increase the scope of our own responsibilities and responsibilities, and more and more often we are forced to fierce competition. The stable social and family standards have been disturbed so far. We use more and more stimulants, such as tea and coffee, we eat at work just about anywhere. We are more and more prescribed drugs with anorexic effect, corticosteroids, as well as psychostimulants. All the above-mentioned factors cause a state of chronic tension. Sleep deprivation significantly affects the balance of the central nervous system, predestinating people susceptible to mood disorders that might not be activated under other conditions. The above-mentioned factors may also increase the possibility of the next relapse of an already existing affective disorder.
The type of depression affects the frequency of relapse
As demonstrated by the practice of every psychiatrist, depressive disorders have a tendency to relapse, but there is no agreement among researchers regarding the frequency of this phenomenon. In studies, the proportion of patients who have a consecutive number of successive relapses varies between 13% and 54% for unipolar affective disorder, and for bipolar disorder between 17% and 87%. Recently, patients with unipolar affective disorder, 75% after the first episode of the disease had at least one, the next relapse of the disease.
Diverse periods determining the risk of relapse
The period immediately following the resolution of depressive symptoms carries with it the highest risk of relapse. It has been observed that 12% of patients experience relapse within 4 weeks after the onset of depressive symptoms, 25% within 12 weeks, and 40% within 40 weeks; after this period, the incidence of disease relapse gradually decreases. This confirms the observation that the longer the patient lacks the symptoms of depression, the lower the probability of recurrence.
The main risk factors for recurrent disease are:
- frequency of previous relapses. It is believed that patients who have previously had several relapses are most at risk of a possible relapse - advanced age - persistence of psychosocial stress - the co-occurrence of other psychiatric or somatic disorders - long duration of previous disease - incomplete remission of disease symptoms during remission.
Treatment rules
After the symptoms have resolved, that is, obtaining remission, it is advisable to continue treatment for up to 12 months, using the same drug that was administered in the acute phase of the disease. Only the administered dose is reduced. If you have a hypomanic or manic phase, antidepressants must be discontinued immediately and the drugs used to stabilize the mood and drive.
Prophylactic applications for those at risk of depression
It has been proven that, at least in some cases, a less intense lifestyle change, reduced stimulant consumption and compliance with the required number of night sleep hours can significantly reduce the likelihood of depression and recurrence factors, and patients already suffering from it can improve the effectiveness of maintenance treatment.
A message from the author for the reader
Depression is an emotional state characterized by sadness, less activity and the inability to enjoy life.It is one of the most common psychological problems. Depression, acting chronically as a stressfulness for many months, disturbs the functions of important organs of the body. It can cause various ailments and health disorders as well as pathogenic disease complications. The whole of the study presented on our website presents typical symptoms of depression as well as its various variants. In the following chapters, we describe how to cope with this disease, how to treat it, and how to deal with a person suffering from depression. The characteristics of depression are enriched by authentic statements of patients, descriptions of their ailments and difficulties in overcoming the disease.
Dr. Janusz Krzyżowski, MD, psychiatrist
