Depresja – ujęcie integralne dla rodzin i duszpasterzy. Epidemiologia, symptomatologia, etiologia oraz terapia zaburzeń depresyjnych

Abstract

Depression is a disease occurring in 17% of the world’s population. Depressive symptoms constitute a certain continuum from a lasting dejection and sadness, through pessimism, a sense of hopelessness and a feeling of being redundant, to suicidal inclinations. Psychological symptoms are often accompanied by numerous somatic ailments. Depression is induced by psycho-social reasons connected with experiencing an actual difficult situation, and biochemical ones that include organic changes, neuro-transmitter disturbances, disturbances in the functioning of the axis limbic system - hypothalamus - pituitary glands - suprarenal glands. Attention is also paid to genetic predispositions and social inheritance. There is a connection between depression and diseases causing pain, use of psych-active substances, drinking alcohol, chronic stress, disability, decrepitude and advanced age. A long depression contributes to numerous illnesses, disturbs memory processes, worsens the mood, increases low self-appraisal, intensifies the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness, disturbs sleep and eating, makes proper psycho-social functioning impossible and sometimes is the cause of suicides. Patients suffering from depressive symptoms need other people’s positive attitude in an exceptional degree. In the therapy of depression, besides medicines, psychological influence is mentioned, as it brings psychological support and help in solving difficult situations. Also pastoral counseling is necessary.