The endogenous depression It is a type of major depressive disorder, which is rarely diagnosed as such, since in the clinic its diagnosis is usually major depressive disorder. This is because its core symptoms are very similar to those of major depressive disorder, which is a mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of sadness that persist for a long period of time. These feelings have a negative impact on mood and behavior, as well as on physical condition, including sleep, appetite… To date, the cause of this type of depression is unknown, although there is talk that it may be caused by by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors. Some people become depressed after the death of a loved one, the breakup of a relationship, or after experiencing a traumatic event. However, endogenous depression is triggered without any stressful event or without any obvious trigger. Symptoms appear suddenly for no apparent reason. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain the Endogenous depression: symptoms, causes and treatment.
Symptoms of endogenous depression
People who have endogenous depression begin to experience symptoms without warning. The type, frequency and severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
The symptoms of endogenous depression They are similar to those of major depressive disorder. Some of them are:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were previously pleasurable.
- Fatigue.
- Lack of motivation.
- Problems concentrating, thinking or making decisions.
- Sleep problems: difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively.
- Social isolation.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Headaches.
- Muscle pains.
- Loss of appetite or overeating.
Treatment of endogenous depression
Overcoming endogenous depression is not an easy task, but with a combined treatment of medication and psychotherapy the symptoms will improve.
Pharmacotherapy
The psychotropic drugs most commonly used to treat endogenous depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). In some cases, tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed, but this is less common.
Some examples of SSRI are:
- Paroxetine
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Escitalopram
- Citalopram
SSRIs can initially cause headaches, nausea, and insomnia. Typically, these side effects tend to subside after a short period of time.
Some examples of SNRI are:
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
- Desvenlafaxine
Some tricycle antidepressants are trimipamine, imipramine, or nortriptyline. The side effects of tricyclic antidepressants can be more serious, causing drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain. Typically, you need to take the medication for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks until symptoms begin to improve. In some cases, 12 weeks are necessary to see improvements.
Even if the symptoms have improved, you should continue taking the medication until the specialist indicates it. Stopping medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you deal with depression and certain aspects related to it. The two main types of psychotherapy are cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help replace negative thoughts with positive, healthy ones. By practicing and limiting the negative, you can improve the way you act in negative situations.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on working on problematic relationships that may contribute to depression. Understanding that, if these relationships improve, so do the symptoms of depression.
In most cases, the best treatment option is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Lifestyle changes to overcome endogenous depression
In addition to following treatment, there are some lifestyle changes that can help you overcome depression. Even if these changes are not pleasant at first, your body and mind will adapt over time. Some guidelines are:
- Do outdoor activities: walking, cycling…
- Engage in activities that were pleasurable before depression.
- Spend time with other people, including friends or loved ones.
- To write a diary.
- Sleep at least 6 hours.
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in cereals, vegetables and low in fat.
Can endogenous depression be cured?
Normally, people with endogenous depression improve their physical appearance when they are already on the treatment plan. To see an improvement in symptoms, we must wait several weeks. In addition, the treatment plan must be adapted to each particular case, so it will take time to adjust the psychotropic drugs and, furthermore, each person reacts differently to the therapy.
How quickly a person recovers depends on how soon treatment is started. If depression remains untreated for a long period of time, your recovery will be much slower and harder. From there the importance of prevention of this type of disorders, as well as early identification to obtain better long-term results, which translates into a better quality of life for these people.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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