If you are experiencing signs of depression and would like to consult a professional, you can find contact details of support providers here.
Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects about 3.8% of the world’s population. It is estimated that approximately 280 million people worldwide experience depression. It is a misconception that depression only affects introverted or melancholic people: the risk of these difficulties increases when experiencing the loss of a loved one, significant life changes, or other situations that cause unpleasant, difficult feelings.
Symptoms of depression
There are many signs of depression. Some of them may be difficult to notice not only for those around you, but also for yourself, while other symptoms have an immediate impact on your daily life.
Psychological signs of depression:
• Prolonged sadness or bad mood;
• Hopelessness about the future;
• Inability to concentrate;
• Feelings of guilt;
• Difficulties while making decisions;
• Loss of motivation and curiosity;
• Feelings of anxiety or constant worry;
• Irritability, intolerance of others;
• Low self-esteem;
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Physical signs of depression:
• Sleep disturbances;
• Psychosomatic pain;
• Loss of sexual desire;
• Constant lack of energy;
• Changes in weight and appetite;
• Constipation.
Possible social signs of depression:
• Avoiding contact and communication with loved ones;
• Withdrawal from the outside world;
• Hobbies and previously enjoyable activities become uninteresting;
• Difficulties at home or at work.
The first signs of depression
Recognizing depression can be difficult because heavy emotions such as sadness or hopelessness are only a small part of the signs of depression. Some people experiencing depression do not feel sadness at all, but experience many unpleasant physical sensations.
You should seek help if you or someone close to you has been experiencing the following symptoms for two weeks or longer:
• Constant sadness, inability to calm down;
• Pessimism and feelings of hopelessness that were not characteristic of the person before;
• Irritability;
• Unexplained feelings of guilt;
• Lack of energy;
• Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night (sleep disturbances);
• Slower than usual movements and speech;
• Difficulty concentrating or performing daily tasks;
• Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide;
• Various pains: cramps, migraines, digestive disorders that do not improve even with medication or other treatment.
If you suspect that you are experiencing mental health difficulties, we recommend you taking a depression test.
Possible causes of depression
Abuse. Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can cause serious mental health problems, including depression.
Medications. Certain types of medications, such as isotretinoin, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines, can cause depression in some people. Older adults are at higher risk.
Age. Lonely, isolated, and older people are more likely to experience emotional health difficulties.
Death and loss. The loss or death of a loved one is traumatic and causes negative emotions. Grief can trigger depression.
Gender. Due to regular hormone fluctuations, women are about twice as likely to experience depression as men.
Genes. A family history of mental health disorders can determine susceptibility of a person to depression.
Important events. Graduating from school, being fired or starting a new job, divorce, the birth of a child, and other important life events can become a heavy emotional burden, which can be alleviated by seeking professional help.
Personal problems and serious illnesses. Social exclusion, dissatisfaction with oneself, lack of direction in life, or life-threatening illnesses can have a significant impact on emotional health of a person.
Alcohol or drug abuse. People who are addicted to alcohol or drugs are much more likely to experience mental health problems. Recent data shows that as many as 63% of people with alcohol addiction experience symptoms of depression over time.
Recovery from depression
The widespread myth that depression can only be cured with medication stigmatizes people experiencing emotional difficulties. The truth is that medication can eliminate the symptoms of depression, but not its causes, which is why psychosocial support is also very important.
There are three ways to recover from depression:
Medication. If necessary, a psychiatrist will individually select the appropriate antidepressants or other medications during a consultation.
Psychological support. A professional psychologist or psychotherapist can provide you with counseling, help you to alleviate your emotional state, listen to you, explore and look for ways to help you in your personal life. Psychological support is especially helpful when experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression.
Social support. A mental health professional can tell you more about how to deal with everyday challenges. This may include breathing exercises, meditation, meaningful activities, learning about your illness or that of your loved one, and education about other possible self-help methods.
Comprehensive support for depression-related difficulties helps you successfully return to your daily life. Mental health professionals will help you choose the path to recovery.
Can I recover on my own?
Experiencing difficult states for a long time can greatly weaken your emotional health. Recovering from depression usually requires comprehensive help: medication and conversations with a psychologist or psychotherapist. Timely professional help will help you to recover, make it easier to accept daily challenges, and cope with negative, difficult emotions. If your loved one is going through a difficult period, learn to recognize the symptoms of depression and encourage them to seek help.
Psychological help for depression
Modern medicine offers many evidence-based ways to recover from depression, and perhaps the most effective of these is psychological help.
Emotional support by phone, live chat, or email
Emotional support by phone, live chat, or email is a confidential, simple, and quick way to express what is hurting or worrying you. A meaningful conversation about your feelings can help you to find ways to persevere and get through a difficult period.
Some support providers are available 24 hours a day in Lithuanian, English, and Russian. Deaf people can receive support via video call (The Lithuanian Association of the Deaf provides special consultations in sign language).
Urgent anonymous psychological help
There are organizations (e.g., Jaunimo linija, Vilties linija, Pagalbos moterims linija) where you can get psychological help at any time of the day from volunteers who have completed special training or licensed psychologists. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, you can receive confidential, free consultations and ongoing counseling.
Help at a mental health center
During a live consultation, a mental health specialist will help you to recover from a crisis and find the most appropriate and effective path to recovery. The benefits of psychotherapy are long-lasting, so you will be able to use the knowledge you have gained even after the therapy sessions have ended.
During a consultation with a psychiatrist, you may be prescribed antidepressants to help effectively reduce the symptoms of depression for a period of time.