Not to be confused with depression, depression is a true psychic pathology characterized by pervasive mood disorders. Untreated, it can have a major impact on the quality of life of the affected person.
According to INSERM, 1 in 5 people have suffered or will suffer from depression during their lifetime. A figure which demonstrates the importance of this mental disorder within our society and which alerts the health authorities… Indeed, depression can have dramatic consequences since it leads between 5 to 20% of patients commit suicide. But to clear up this dark picture, it is important to remember that there are effective treatments in nearly 70% of cases (1). The therapeutic solutions offered are individualized and revolve around two main areas: improvement of symptoms and prevention of relapses.
A concerted therapy
To be fully effective, the preferred therapy must be implemented with the agreement and adherence of the person concerned. Generally, the intervention of several health professionals – attending physician, psychiatrist, etc. – is necessary to promote optimal care. The risks of relapses during treatment or recurrences following recovery prove to be particularly high in the context of depression. This is why the quality of care is of real importance and must be personalized according to the patient’s needs. In the majority of cases, pharmacological therapy associated with psychotherapeutic follow-up constitutes the first-line treatment of the mental disorder. To support people who suffer from mild to moderate depressive symptoms, health insurance offers a suitable device called “MonPsy”. This allows you to benefit from psychotherapy sessions with support for the body.
Effective treatments
Currently, antidepressants remain the most indicated drug class for treating depression. In the case of a large family, the doctors nevertheless havea wide range of molecules which they can adapt according to their patients. However, antidepressant medications generally take time (between 2 to 4 weeks) to be fully effective. In severely affected patients, monitoring should be increased during this period. Psychotherapy – 2nd line of intervention – is therefore essential in this specific case. Follow-up in town or in a specialized structure, psychological support will vary depending on the patient. When the suicide risk is high, hospitalization is sometimes necessary.
- https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/depression/#des-traitements-efficaces-dans-pr%C3%A8s-de-70–des-cas
You may also be interested in:
⋙ Depression in 10 received ideas
⋙ Depression: how to get out of it?
