I wrote – Nada Sami
Some people go through transient bouts of depression, as a result of exposure to various pressures or the accumulation of many problems that have not been dealt with, and it may occur as a result of any other psychological disorder, such as anxiety or anorexia nervosa, and the depression may go away once they undergo psychotherapy sessions, while some may need medication Others suffer from treatment-resistant depression, which is known as treatment-resistant depression.
In the next report, The Consulto reviews the causes of treatment-resistant depression, and how to control it.
What are the causes of treatment-resistant depression?
Dr. Laila Ragab, a mental health consultant, says that there is no clear definition of treatment-resistant depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatry, but that term generally refers to trying more than one method to treat depression without achieving any result or progress in the case of the patient.
She points out that there is no clear cause for depression that is resistant to treatment, but there are some groups that are more likely to develop depression that is resistant to treatment, which I identified as follows:
– Who gets depressed in childhood.
Anyone with a family history of depression.
– Who suffers from a bad experience in the journey of treatment of depression.
Who suffers from frequent bouts of depression.
Those who suffer from psychological fragility, as a result of environmental, biological and genetic factors.
And one study indicated that antidepressants do not give results in up to two-thirds of patients, and the first antidepressant they try does not help them, and up to a third does not respond to several attempts at treatment, according to the CDC.
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Symptoms of treatment-resistant depression
Ragab says that the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression do not differ from the symptoms of depression in general, whose severity varies from person to person, but there are some features that must be available before a patient is diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, which are as follows:
– The person goes through a very simple period of improvement, then soon the symptoms of depression continue.
– A person cannot deal with the side effects of medicines.
Trying more than one type of depression medication, under the supervision of a specialist, without getting a noticeable result.
– Experiencing more than one type of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and other types of psychotherapy that aim to focus on a person’s thoughts and feelings and how to deal with them and manage them in a healthy way.
How can treatment-resistant depression be dealt with?
The mental health consultant explains that depression that is resistant to treatment does not mean that a person will not recover from depression. It is possible to reach the stage of recovery once the appropriate method is obtained, which is more suitable for the person for treatment, and it depends on only one thing, which is the patient’s desire and will to get rid of depression. and treatment.
She explains that dealing with this problem depends on the patient’s condition, the symptoms he suffers from, and the surrounding environment, but in general, she identified a number of tips that may help alleviate depression, as follows:
– Choosing the most appropriate therapist through good research and consulting more than one person to get the right doctor.
Letting go of frustration and being patient, there is always a solution, even if the treatment takes a long time.
Those around the patient are the most important factors influencing the course of treatment, so the patient must disclose his psychological and health status to his family or leave the matter to the doctor to achieve the best results.
Getting to know others’ experiences, problems, and participation may help relieve depression, and this can be achieved through group therapy sessions.
– Experimenting with new styles of treatment through writing or drama therapy and other advanced methods that may give positive results for some.
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