Ten signs it's time to treat your depression

Weakness

is a subjective feeling of lack of energy in everyday situations. Complaints of weakness usually arise when actions that were previously familiar and natural suddenly begin to require special effort.

Weakness is often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, headaches or muscle pain.

Fatigue at the end of a working day or after performing a long or complex job cannot be considered a weakness, since such fatigue is natural for the body. Normal fatigue goes away after rest; healthy sleep and well-spent weekends help a lot. But if sleep does not bring cheerfulness, and a person, having just woken up, already feels tired, then there is a reason to consult a doctor.

Causes of weakness

Weakness can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

• avitaminosis. Weakness is often caused by a lack of vitamin B12, which is essential for making red blood cells (RBCs) and preventing anemia, and is also important for cell growth. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to the development of anemia, which is considered the most common cause of general weakness. Another vitamin whose deficiency leads to weakness is vitamin D. This vitamin is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in autumn and winter, when daylight hours are short and the sun does not appear often, a lack of vitamin D may be the cause of weakness;
• depression;
• thyroid diseases. Weakness can occur with both increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism) and decreased function (hypothyroidism). With hypothyroidism, as a rule, there is weakness in the arms and legs, which is described by patients as “everything falls out of hand”, “legs give way”. With hyperthyroidism, general weakness is observed against the background of other characteristic symptoms (nervous excitability, hand tremors, elevated temperature, rapid heartbeat, weight loss while maintaining appetite);
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, indicating extreme depletion of vitality;
• Celiac enteropathy (celiac disease) is the inability of the intestines to digest gluten. If at the same time a person consumes products made from flour - bread, pastries, pasta, pizza, etc. – manifestations of indigestion develop (flatulence, diarrhea), accompanied by constant fatigue;
• diabetes;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• oncological diseases. In this case, weakness is usually accompanied by low-grade fever;
• lack of fluid in the body. Weakness often comes in the summer during hot weather, when the body loses a lot of water, and it is not possible to restore the water balance in time;
• some medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, beta blockers).

An attack of weakness can also occur in the following cases:

• trauma (with large blood loss);
• brain injury (in combination with neurological symptoms);
• menses;
• intoxication (including infectious diseases such as influenza).

How to recognize drug poisoning?

Article on the topic

Encyclopedia of Health: Drugs and Addiction You can recognize a drug overdose by breathing, it becomes less deep and increasingly rare. The skin is very pale, cold to the touch, lips, fingertips and ears are bluish in color.

Breathing is considered correct when inhalation and exhalation are heard at least 12 times per minute. Call an ambulance if you hear that:

– the person does not breathe at all for 1 minute; – breathes less than 10 times per minute, or more often than 30 times per minute; – does not breathe rhythmically, freezing for 30–60 seconds, and then begins to breathe deeply and noisily; – breathing is very rare and barely audible for 10 minutes or more; – wheezing occurs when breathing.

How to provide first aid in case of overdose?

Immediately start shaking him and slapping his cheeks. If the person remains lethargic, call an ambulance immediately. If the patient begins to talk to you, make him walk, do not stop talking to him until the ambulance arrives.

If, as a result of your efforts, he cannot speak, begin artificial respiration. If there is no breathing or pulse, “clinical death” has occurred. In this case, it is necessary to immediately begin mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration and at the same time chest compressions before the ambulance arrives.

Weakness and dizziness

Dizziness quite often occurs against a background of general weakness. A combination of these symptoms may occur in the following cases:

• anemia;
• cerebrovascular accidents;
• a sharp increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• oncological diseases;
• stress;
• in women - during menstruation or menopause.

Weakness and drowsiness

Patients often complain that they want to sleep, but do not have enough strength for normal life activities. The combination of weakness and drowsiness is possible for the following reasons:

• lack of oxygen. The urban atmosphere is poor in oxygen. Constant stay in the city contributes to the development of weakness and drowsiness;
• decrease in atmospheric pressure and magnetic storms. People who are sensitive to weather changes are called weather dependent. If you are weather dependent, bad weather may cause your weakness and drowsiness;
• avitaminosis;
• poor or unhealthy diet;
• hormonal disorders;
• alcohol abuse;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• other diseases (including infectious ones - in the early stages, when other symptoms have not yet appeared).

Weakness: what to do?

If weakness is not accompanied by any disturbing symptoms, you can improve your well-being by following these recommendations:

• provide yourself with a normal amount of sleep (6-8 hours a day);
• keep a daily routine (go to bed and get up at the same time);
• try not to be nervous, relieve yourself of stress;
• exercise, provide yourself with optimal physical activity;
• spend more time in the fresh air;
• optimize your nutrition. It should be regular and balanced. Avoid fatty foods. If you are overweight, try to get rid of it;
• make sure to drink enough water (at least 2 liters per day);
• quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption.

How to do a heart massage?

To perform an indirect cardiac massage you need:

– place the victim on a hard surface; – hit hard on the chest 5–6 cm above the “solar plexus” (that is, at the level of the 4th intercostal space). This must be done carefully so as not to break the ribs.

– If pulse and breathing do not appear, fold your palms (one on top of the other) in the place where you just hit with your fist. The palms are not laid with the entire surface, but with the part with which the palm is attached to the forearm: the fingers should not touch the skin of the victim. Start making sharp pushes on the sternum with all your body weight so that the sternum goes down 5–6 cm. The frequency of the pushes is approximately 1 time per second.

– If you do indirect cardiac massage together, then for one breath there are 4-5 shocks; if you are alone fighting for the life of the victim, first take 2 breaths, then 15 pushes, then again 2 breaths and so on.

When should you see a doctor if you feel weak?

If weakness does not go away within a few days or, moreover, lasts more than two weeks, you should definitely consult a doctor.

You should not hesitate to consult a doctor if weakness is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• dyspnea;
• cough;
• fever, chills, increased temperature;
• stomach upset;
• sudden weight loss;
• mood changes, apathy, depression.

Which doctor should I contact about weakness?

If weakness is the main complaint, then it is best to consult a general practitioner (general practitioner or family doctor).

If you have stomach problems due to weakness, you can consult a gastroenterologist.

If weakness is accompanied by pain or discomfort in the heart area, you should consult a cardiologist.

Be prepared for the fact that you may be referred for consultation to doctors of such specialties as a hematologist, oncologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, or psychotherapist.

Depression: what to do if a loved one feels bad

Depression is not a matter of personal choice. It's a disease. A depressed person does not deserve to be judged. He is not lazy, does not try to attract attention to himself, and does not act selfishly. He is suffering. So never tell him that...

1. Others have it worse. The fact that others also have problems does not change our problems. Better say: “How can I help you?”
2. You'll feel better tomorrow. It's just not fair. Every single day a person is looking for ways to bring joy back into his life, and here you are with your assurances. Depression is not a disease that goes away overnight. Instead, say, “I’ll be there to help you.”
3. Life is unfair You are once again devaluing the other person's feelings. Yes, life is really unfair, but it’s unlikely that this thought will make anyone feel any better. Better to say: “What is happening to you is sad. But we can cope with this - and we will definitely cope.”
4. You just need to deal with it. A person suffering from depression is trying to deal with it. Every day, to the best of my ability. Don't say he's not trying hard enough. Better to say: “You are not alone. I'm here to help you."
5. Life goes on Yes, life goes on, but a depressed person feels stuck in a hopeless situation. It is difficult for him to get through the day, let alone think about the future. Better say: “You have something to live for, and I will help you remember it.”
6. I know how you feel. I had depression too. No one can feel the same way as someone else. Everything is individual, especially emotions, so don't try to generalize someone's suffering. Everyone's feelings are unique, and this applies to depression too. So let's remember: depression is not just a bad mood or a bad day. Instead, say, “I can only imagine what you are going through, but I will try my best to understand.”
7. You're just selfish. A person in a state of depression most likely berates himself around the clock. He doesn't need you to criticize him either. Once again, depression is not a matter of choice. People don't do this on their own initiative. Better say: “I miss you so much. How can I help you?"

1. You're letting me down Let's say it one more time: depression is not a choice. A person suffering from it already feels helpless. Worrying about helping you is too much for him to handle right now. Better say: “I can’t see you suffering. What can I do for you?"
2. Why would you even be depressed? Depression is not always the result of psychological trauma or sad events. Sometimes it just happens, and it doesn't make the problem any less serious. It’s better to say: “I’m sorry, I didn’t immediately understand that you were feeling bad. But now I'm here."
3. Stop feeling sorry for yourself There is a huge difference between self-pity and depression, although sometimes the two go hand in hand. Instead, say: “I see that you are suffering, and it upsets me. What should I do?"
4. You just need to get out of the house more often It's unlikely that someone suffering from depression likes the thought of leaving the house. Either way, it won't help. It’s better to say: “I don’t want you to be alone in this state. Do you want me to come and do something together?”
5. Well, the rest somehow cope, but what’s wrong with you? Depression is not a choice. It just happens. It can happen to anyone. Instead, say, “You seem to be having a hard time right now. Know that I am near."
6. You are strong, you can handle it Depression can make anyone feel weak and helpless. It’s better to say: “I believe in you, you can overcome all this, and I will be there to help.”