Depressive (mood) disorder

Symptoms:

• Gloomy mood and/or loss of interest and pleasure in almost everything
• Feelings of guilt, self-blame and worry
• Strong pessimism
• Sometimes apathetic, resigned, appears numb
• Self-accusations
• The person in question does not conclude anything, is inactive, is inhibited
• Difficult to delayed thinking, preoccupied with death
• Concentration issues
• Perception of time is disturbed or delayed

Causes

Not all the causes listed below occur, and depression can also be caused by other things. Below is a list of some common causes:

• Only physical symptoms e.g. hormonal disorders, liver disease, cancer, anaemia, heart attack, thyroid disease or neurological problems: Parkinson's disease or Huntington's chorea or e.g. tumours in the brain
• Vitamin B12 deficiency, due to gastric mucous membrane abnormality
• Certain medications: antihypertensives, urinating medications, benzodiazepines
• Description factors
• Susceptibility to stress due to hyperactivity hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increased secretion of cortisol
• Vulnerability, for example, due to the person’s past or personality
• Deficiency of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine - impaired functioning.

Treatment

• antidepressants
• psychotherapy
• maintaining a good daily rhythm
• stopping alcohol and drug use
• sufficient physical activity (walking, swimming, running, etc.)

There are different treatments possible; the psychiatrist will be able to recommend and/or prescribe an appropriate treatment.

Latest publication date: 02/08/2024
Supervising author: Dr Claeys Isabel