The 6 stages to depression

Researchers are discovering the "secret inner logic" of depression

01/22/2015

Depression is one of the most common diseases that currently affects about four million people in need of treatment, according to the German Depressive Aid Foundation in Germany. For the emergence of the disease, various factors such as stress, crises or physical triggers into consideration, but usually a combination of several causes is suspected. The Cologne market research institute "Rheingold" has now investigated which "secret internal logic" the disease follows. Thus, those affected would go through a process made up of six levels.

Origin through interaction of several causes
Self-doubt, inner emptiness, lack of motivation, fears: Depression is one of the most common diseases, which one in five Germans is estimated to have once in life, according to estimates by the German Depressive Aid Foundation. In addition to stress, stressful life events or diseases such as hypothyroidism, a number of other causes may favor the onset of depression. Now the Cologne market research institute Rheingold has examined in a recent depth psychological study, which "secret internal logic" the so-called "widespread disease" follows. On behalf of "PASCOE Natural Medicine" surveyed the Rheingold researchers to the psychologist Stephan Grünewald a total of 80 people in each two-hour in-depth interviews, of which half suffered from depressive moods. In addition, the experts held talks with 22 doctors, ten pharmacists and eight pharmaceutical-technical assistants.

Inner logic is determined by six "trains"
The result: The "inner logic" of a depression is determined from the experience of those affected by six different "trains", according to the report of market researchers. "In contrast to a genetic or a medical-chemical view of depression, it is characterized as an unconscious, psychic production that follows a secret but descriptive inner psycho-logic," the researchers explain further. According to the study, "breeding ground" for a depression is "the will to perfection", because contrary to the expectations of the interviewers, the test subjects would not only have had a depressed mood, but would instead always show a very energetic side. "They describe their everyday life, which is characterized by high ideals and very active phases," the study continues.

"Everyday comparison" leads to defense against all impulses
However, as sufferers experience that their claims are not always feasible, in Stage 2 they would experience "restrictions" that would lead to the feeling of "having failed all along the line." However, this does not lead the researchers an active engagement with the situation, but instead, in a third step, a "retirement" in which people withdraw and literally "set themselves up" in this state. It follows the so-called "everyday comparison" by now repelled all impulses and thus the decommissioning "stabilized" will. "Everything now seems to be important or unimportant, to be equally difficult or equally bad. In front of those affected rises a huge mountain that can not be climbed, "the report continues.

Treatment requires a high degree of empathy
From this point on, people with depressive moods would now, according to the researchers, "stew in their own juice" by turning around themselves and being trapped in thought circles. While they seem to be calm and lethargic to the outside, they would "run hot inside", whereby the inner restlessness often leads to respiratory distress and sleep disorders. Finally, the phase of "resigned-bitter symptom treatment" would be achieved, in which it is finally accepted that there would be no way out of depression, the researchers write. It followed the encapsulation and often would take years to get help from a doctor or psychologist. Accordingly, physicians and pharmacists should be particularly empathetic in the treatment of depressive patients, because it is not just about the treatment of a disease or the corresponding symptoms, but to the entire person, who is very sensitive and easily sick, according to the Rheingold researchers. (No)