Depression

The risk of developing depression is higher than you might think. In fact, the probability of experiencing a manifest episode of depression at some point in one's life in the general population is 20 percent. And if you have a first-degree relative who is affected, this rises to as much as 30 percent.

As a result, depression has the second highest share of days of incapacity for work in this country, after musculoskeletal disorders (such as osteoporosis).

Fortunately, depression is generally well treatable through early diagnosis and targeted therapy. Our experienced doctors at avi Medical are here to support you.

Depression is diagnosed on the basis of the following core symptoms, all of which must be present:

• joylessness
• loss of interest and drive

Depending on the severity of the depression, the following may also be present:

• difficulty concentrating
• loss of self-esteem
• feelings of guilt
• anxiety about the future
• suicidality
• sleep disturbances
• loss of appetite

To diagnose depression, the symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks. They must also not be attributable to a physical cause (such as vitamin deficiency) or psychotropic substances (medications, recreational drugs, alcohol).

The development of depression requires the interplay of three factors. These are:

• biological factors, i.e. genetic abnormalities (hormonal imbalances such as a deficiency of serotonin or noradrenaline)
• psychological factors (trauma, severe psychological strain)
• social factors (childhood, environment, working conditions)

In addition to the core symptoms already mentioned, the following symptoms are typical of depression:

• a state of emotional numbness
• inner restlessness
• quasi-delusional states such as delusions of guilt and impoverishment, nihilistic thinking, and hypochondria
• pseudodementia (reversible cognitive impairment)

The first step in treating depression is to exclude physical causes, for which blood tests, amongst other investigations, are used.

If this factor can be excluded as a trigger for your depression, the following steps are taken depending on severity and patient preference:

• referral to a psychotherapist
• possibly also: prescription of antidepressants as a supplement

For us at avi, this targeted therapy also includes regular re-evaluation and monitoring of any prescribed antidepressants. The reason: these medications can, as a side effect, cause organ abnormalities with long-term use. Regular blood tests, ECGs, and tolerability assessments with regard to other medications help to prevent the development of these.