Explore depression symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and medical treatment options including antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
Depression: More Than Just Sadness
Depression often masks itself as ordinary fatigue or somatic illnesses. As Jenny Lawson notes in her book "Furiously Happy," sometimes the condition is mild enough to be mistaken for the flu or mononucleosis. However, for many, it becomes a "constant guest," accompanied by anxiety neurosis and a sense of deep injustice in life.
It is important to understand: depression can be misleading. It makes a person feel hopeless even when they try to use all the self-help methods that worked in the past.
Recognizing Depression: Symptoms and Diagnosis
To establish an official diagnosis (code F32 — Depressive Episode), specialists look for a duration of symptoms of at least 2 weeks almost constantly.
Diagnostic Criteria: A diagnosis requires at least 2 main and at least 2 additional symptoms.
- Main Symptoms:
- Depressed mood.
- Distinct loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally associated with positive emotions.
- Decreased energy and increased fatigue even after minor effort.
- Additional Symptoms:
- Reduced ability to concentrate and pay attention.
- Reduced self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.
- Ideas of guilt and unworthiness (even in mild depression).
- Bleak and pessimistic view of the future.
- Ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide.
- Disturbed sleep.
- Disturbed (usually reduced) appetite.
Self-Diagnosis: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
One of the most recognized tools for assessing the severity of the condition is the Beck questionnaire, which consists of 21 groups of statements.
Interpretation of Results:
- 0-9 — No depressive symptoms.
- 10-15 — Mild depression (subdepression).
- 16-19 — Moderate depression.
- 20-29 — Pronounced depression (moderate severity).
- 30-63 — Severe depression.
The scale is divided into the cognitive-affective subscale (items 1-13) and the somatic manifestations subscale (items 14-21).
Pharmacotherapy
Treatment for depression often requires a comprehensive approach, including antidepressants and mood stabilizers (normothymics).
- Antidepressants:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, etc.
- TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants): Amitriptyline, Imipramine.
- SNRIs: Venlafaxine, Duloxetine.
- NaSSA: Mianserin, Mirtazapine.
- Mood Stabilizers and Adjunctive Therapy:
- Mineral salts: Lithium preparations.
- Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Valproic acid.
- Atypical antipsychotics: Quetiapine, Risperidone, Olanzapine.
- Hormones: Thyroid hormones (L-thyroxine) may also be used as adjunctive therapy, especially during temporary withdrawal of antidepressants.
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