Good news can cause depression

Depression is hard to hide from close relatives

04/04/2015

Since it became known that the copilot of the crashed German Wings machine was apparently suffering from severe depression, this disease is on everyone's lips. You might think that depression is hard to hide from close relatives, but the clinical picture is very complex. Even good things can trigger depression.

Complex disease picture
Since the crash of the German Wings machine in the French Alps, more and more details from the life of the co-pilot are published. Years ago, according to media reports, he had his instructors over one „depressive episode“ informed. Hardly any disease is as complex as that of depression. Millions of people in Germany suffer from a depression requiring treatment. For the onset of the disease, various factors such as stress, crises or physical triggers such as hypothyroidism into consideration, but usually an interaction of several causes is suspected.

Many depressives do not receive optimal treatment
As the news agency dpa reports, around 10,000 people per year take their own lives here, and in 150,000 cases there is an attempt. According to the German Depressionshilfe Foundation, these figures make it clear that many depressed people do not receive optimum treatment. According to psychiatry professor Ulrich Hegerl, the disease is hard to miss for close relatives. Hegerl is Chairman of the Foundation and Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Leipzig. Anyone who has been in a depressed mood for more than 14 days, who is free from enthusiasm, who suffers from loss of appetite, rolls in bed with guilt, and thinks of doing something is considered to be depressed. „For professional colleagues, if you only communicate superficially - it can certainly be hidden behind a façade“, so Hegerl. „But close relatives then realize that man is not the way they know him.“

Some people do not show it
In the opinion of the psychotherapist Julia Scharnhorst, professional help should be sought if those affected no longer get their daily grips under control, are not at all happy any more, and especially if suicidal intentions are expressed. „Laymen often do it“, said Scharnhorst, but such a statement should definitely be taken seriously. However, it is very different how sufferers deal with their suffering. Some would try to self-medicate. Often alcohol is involved. As the head of the Department of Health Psychology in the Association of German Psychologists, explained, it also happens that people were not noticeable.

Sometimes already daylight and exercise can help
Depression can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. The German Depressionshilfe stressed that antidepressants - unlike many assumed - did not make dependent. And those who take them will not „high“. According to many scientists, during a depression, the metabolism in the brain is disturbed. In the event of a slight depression, daylight and physical exercise can sometimes help. In case of acute suicidal tendencies, however, it might be necessary to be admitted to a closed psychiatry, explained Scharnhorst. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee for the prevention of suicide. According to Hegerl, suicide intentions or depression can not be detected in advance with a psychological test. „There is no depression test.“

Extended suicide baffles experts
A so-called extended suicide - ie cases in which tired of life drive into oncoming traffic or kill family members by car - leaves experts at a loss. „You can not understand that“, So Scharnhorst. "Why do others have to die?" many ask. Whether hatred matters? „It is very difficult to empathize with these people with their desperation“, Hegerl said. „I rather believe that they are so focused on the negative in their experience that they almost fade out and do not really perceive what is going on around them.“ The motive, to tear other people to death, fits therefore absolutely not to depression. „This can not be transferred to the two to three million depressive patients in Germany. They are more responsible and caring, and nothing is further from harming them than others.“

Depression triggered by pleasing
Although a depression can be triggered by a stroke of fate such as the loss of a job or a bereavement, but also by something basically enjoyable, such as a passed exam or a promotion. Therefore, it should not be confused with an acute stress response. For example, those who sink in deep sadness do not have to feel a total lack of meaning and joys or even lose their feelings towards their beloved children. „Unfortunately this is often confused“, explained Hegerl. „We do not want to psychiatrize the normal ups and downs of life, which is often very painful.“ Experts also warn against stigmatizing the mentally ill. Thus, for example, the public discussion of the past few days is being viewed with concern by managing director of the Aktion Psychisch Krankke (APK), Ulrich Krüger: „Here it is suggested that people with a mental illness are automatically connected with a danger.“ This could lead to those affected no longer dare to talk about their illness and hide it. (Ad)