While there are no officially established phases, it is possible to list the progression of depression while remembering that from person to person this is likely to change.
Depression is defined as a mood disorder, present for at least 2 weeks, with symptoms such as loss of interest or pleasure in activities, change in appetite or sleep patterns and reduced self-esteem. Depressive episodes are a handicap on a daily basis, professionally and relationally. “It would be utopian to believe that there are 5 or 7 precise steps and well ordered to cross (in the depression, editor’s note). If this were the case, screening and prevention alone would be effective in eradicating the disease.” immediately underlines Rachel Iglesias, clinical psychologist. Nevertheless, it is possible to list the progression of the disease while remembering that from person to person, this is likely to change. Explanations with Rachel Iglesias, clinical psychologist.
List of the evolutionary phases of depression
- The first phase is often that of small signs. “This translates intoexhaustion and discouragement. People are subject to a permanent stress but they don’t pay attention because they rationalize the problem and the feeling of unease, details Rachel Iglesias. In my practice, I have observed that stress is the gateway to depression. Gradually, and not necessarily in the same order depending on the individual, certain symptoms of depression will appear.
- The sentence 2″ is characterized by the “loss of desire” and an “sad and gloomy mood” constants.
- Phase 3″ appear appetite and sleep disorders and focus.
- Phase 4″ settle down “dark and suicidal thoughts as well as a deep feeling of emptiness and loneliness”.
- The sentence 5″ severe depression, is characterized by Autonomy loss. “At this stage, some depressed patients no longer have the ability to perform daily activities on their own, such as eating or bathing” emphasizes the psychologist.
- The sentence 6” is remissionthat is to say the disappearance of symptoms, following therapy.
- The sentence 7“, the relapsea step by step not neglect. “Once you’ve had a depressionthe risk of relapse is high. However, with the new effective antidepressants and the improvement in care, in the practice I have very few relapses”tempers Rachel Iglesias.
How long do the phases of depression last?
The “installation” phase, that is to say “phase 1” when the symptoms appear insidiously, is long. “This is due to the fact that in general the person is used to dealing with stressful events, so he does not pay attention to them. repeats the psychologist. It lasts pseveral weeks or even months. Then gradually, the body becomes exhausted and the condition can deteriorate rapidly. “The hippocampus also becomes exhausted. The person is cut off from a part of themselves. Within a few weeks you can go from an enthusiastic person, often recognized as a “fighter” or even a resource person for those around you, to a withdrawn, sad, pessimistic and in increasing loss of autonomy”, explains the psychologist. For the psychologist, globally, to treat a depression, it is necessary to count Between “3 and 6 months” of therapy.
What are the signs of recovery from depression?
Healing depends on the implementation of therapies. There are different types such astherapeutic education practiced by Rachel. It helps to understand the disease and “to give meaning to what we are going to do”. The psychologist then completes this with mindfulness and EMDR to engage the emotional brain. “They are effective when the region of the neocortex responsible for language is under-activated, as is the case in depression”, says the psychologist. In therapy, blockages are lifted when the person regains access to their thinking, abstraction and planning abilities. “Food and sleep are also excellent indicators. On a daily basis, this results in an improvement in autonomy, a resumption of activities and social relations. Faced with these improvements, Rachel Iglesias recommends resuming more traditional psychotherapy (analytical, for example) so that “the person can find a good image of himself”. According to her, low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence are the difficulties that persist most, even after recovery.
thanks to Rachel Iglesiasclinical psychologist.