Recently, depression has attracted widespread attention from society. Being unhappy for a long time may lead to depression, but people who appear happy may also suffer from depression. What is depression and how are depressive emotions different from depression? Feng Yuan, Chief Physician of Beijing Anding Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and Director of the Office of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental and Psychological Disorders, recently received an interview with Xinhua to explain the characteristics, core symptoms, and common cognitive misconceptions of depression, helping everyone better understand depression and effectively cope with depression.
Depression is a mental illness characterized by significant and persistent depression, which can manifest as emotional depression, depression, heartbreak, and pessimism. Feng Yuan said that the core symptoms of depression include low mood, loss of interest and pleasure, decreased activity, and decreased energy. In addition, there are also symptoms such as slow thinking and association speed, slow reaction, and avoidance of social interaction. Other common symptoms include decreased attention ability, decreased self-evaluation and confidence, self guilt and a sense of worthlessness, a pessimistic outlook on the future, thoughts or behaviors of self harm or suicide, sleep disorders, and decreased appetite.
Online "self-service" testing of depression cannot be used as a diagnostic basis
In recent years, with the rapid development of the economy and society, people's pace of life and work pressure have significantly increased, and people's mental health problems have become increasingly prominent.
So, is long-term depression prone to depression? What is the difference between depressive mood and depression, and when do you need to see a doctor?
Feng Yuan stated that depression is a negative emotion that often manifests as disgust, pain, shame, and inferiority. It is an emotion that many people have experienced and a normal and natural psychological phenomenon. Depression belongs to the category of diseases. Long term emotional depression may transform into depression as the severity increases at certain special times. This low level of depression can manifest in a certain form, duration, and severity, such as suicidal ideation, symptoms that affect social function, and inability to learn or work. It is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner. Further evaluation and diagnosis will be conducted by professional doctors, and corresponding medication, psychological, and even physical treatment will be given.
Can various self measuring scales for depression that are currently emerging online serve as diagnostic criteria?
Feng Yuan stated that self testing for depression usually refers to the use of a self rating depression scale for depression screening, which can preliminarily estimate the likelihood of the tester being diagnosed with depression. However, the diagnosis of depression requires a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including social and psychological factors, clinical manifestations, psychiatric examinations, scale scores, laboratory examination results, imaging examination results, etc. Only professional psychiatrists can make a relatively reliable diagnosis of depression.
Can depression be cured? Do you still need to take medication after treatment? This is the issue that patients are most concerned about.
The public's awareness of depression continues to improve, but there are still some misconceptions. In fact, depression can be completely or partially relieved through standardized treatment, but it still has a high recurrence rate. "Feng Yuan said that the main treatment currently is medication, which relieves symptoms through the use of antidepressants. In terms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, etc. For patients with severe conditions (such as serious suicide attempts or behaviors, psychotic symptoms, etc.), non convulsive electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) has a good effect, and a specific treatment plan should be developed after evaluation by a doctor. It should be noted that although the treatment of depression has achieved clinical recovery, it is still necessary to maintain treatment for a period of time to reduce its recurrence.
Encourage those around you to seek professional help if they are prone to depression
According to the China Mental Health Survey, there are currently over 90 million people suffering from depression in China, and approximately 280000 people commit suicide each year, of which about 40% suffer from depression.
In recent years, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have attached great importance to mental health and mental health work, and have issued a series of major policies and documents. The Outline of the "Healthy China 2030" Plan proposes that, Strengthen the construction and standardized management of the mental health service system. Increase the publicity of national mental health science and improve mental health literacy. Strengthen intervention in common mental disorders and psychological behavior problems such as depression and anxiety, and increase the early detection and timely intervention of psychological problems among key populations. "The" Healthy China Action (2019-2030) "proposed 15 action projects, One of the actions is the Mental Health Promotion Action.
Feng Yuan stated that depression has a high incidence and great harm, making it one of the key diseases that China focuses on tackling. Depression is also a key disease for scientific research in the China Brain Program. In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence technology and brain computer interface technology, significant progress has been made in the precise identification, objective evaluation, precise neural regulation, and new antidepressants of depression. For example, using optimized machine learning algorithms to construct early warning and efficacy prediction models, combining quantitative neurobiological indicators with disease symptoms, and achieving personalized diagnosis and treatment and artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis and treatment modes.
For the public, how to better understand depression and effectively cope with depression?
With the increasing pressure of social competition and the accelerated pace of life, people's depression has a trend of increasing. However, having a depressive mood does not necessarily mean that one will suffer from depression.
What depressed patients need more is care and understanding, "Feng Yuan said. A scientific understanding of depression can reduce misunderstandings about depression. When someone around you is prone to depression, do not make hasty judgments or make diagnoses. Psychological therapy and social support systems are very important for the prevention and treatment of depression. The support and companionship of family and friends can alleviate the heavy psychological burden and pressure of patients, allowing them to no longer avoid seeking medical treatment; Create a warm and loving environment for them, help them have the courage to face life and overcome the "haze" of depression.
