Clinical (acute) depression, or major depressive disorder, is a mental disorder that can manifest itself over a long period of time. In the Middle Ages, major depressive disorder was viewed as “possession by the devil.” Patients with severe depression were tied up and beaten. The treatment was also appropriate : prayers, fasting, rites of exorcism. The rise in interest in depression as a disease began during the Renaissance.          

This type of depression requires urgent medical attention . Approximately 25 % of people in the world experience at least one episode of acute depression in their life . All segments of the population are susceptible to this disease.     

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Signs of clinical depression are:

• depression and a feeling of worthlessness 
• insomnia
• feeling tired 
• feelings of guilt, thoughts of the meaninglessness of existence 
• search for diseases, the emergence of fears  
• impaired appetite, psychosomatic disorders
• loss of interest in hobbies 
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and joint pain  
• migraine, skin diseases
• decreased energy potential, sexual desire, distraction of attention 
• agitation, irritability
• thoughts of suicide 

Treatment of clinical depression

The main method used to treat acute depression is medication. And the selection of medications is strictly individual. A person suffering from a mental disorder should not self-medicate, which can only harm. After examination, the psychiatrist determines the severity of the depression and prescribes appropriate treatment. It is necessary to involve a psychologist and a psychotherapist in the treatment process . Acute depression differs from other mental disorders by its root cause, hidden in the depths of the subconscious (fears, psychological trauma, unfinished relationships, negative experiences). Finding the root cause of the disease, helping the patient to control the situation, being self-confident , strengthening his self-esteem are the main tasks of the attending physician. To help people get out of depression, psychologists usually combine several methods (behavioral psychotherapy, humanistic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis). They also use a method to change sensations in the body, as a way to solve psychological problems. In the fight against major depressive disorder, a psychologist helps patients change their usual facial expressions, their gait, and body position in different situations. The first step in treating a depressive disorder is to learn how to relieve stress. This is helped by special trainings, the essence of which is the ability to copy the behavior and habits of happy and healthy people (smile, straightened shoulders, straight back).