We all have days when we feel sad, tired or unmotivated. That is part of life. Depression is different: it lasts, it goes deeper and it makes it hard to function at work, in the family and in relationships.
The main signs
We speak of depression when several of these signs last for at least two weeks, nearly every day:
- low mood, a feeling of emptiness or hopelessness
- loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- tiredness and lack of energy, even after rest
- sleep problems: insomnia or sleeping too much
- changes in appetite or weight
- difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- thoughts of death or of harming yourself
Depression does not always look like sadness. In some people it shows up as irritability, unexplained physical pain, withdrawing from others or a feeling that "nothing makes sense".
Why it happens
Depression rarely has a single cause. Biological factors (genetics, changes in the body and brain), psychological factors (how we process experiences) and life events such as loss, prolonged stress, loneliness or illness usually interact. That is why good treatment looks at the whole person.
How it is treated
The good news: depression responds well to treatment. The approach depends on how severe the symptoms are and on your personal situation:
- Psychotherapy — e.g. cognitive behavioural or psychodynamic therapy — helps you understand and change the patterns that keep depression going.
- Medication can be helpful, especially in moderate or severe depression, and is always decided after a psychiatric assessment.
- Small daily steps — a daily structure, movement, contact with people — support recovery.
How to help someone you love
Listen without judging, don't tell them to "pull themselves together", and gently encourage them to seek professional help. You can offer to go with them to the first appointment.
The first step
If you recognise yourself in these lines, you do not have to wait until things get worse. At Serafeim Care we offer psychiatric consultations and psychotherapy in Tirana or online, in four languages.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or feel in danger, call 127 or 112 immediately, or go to the nearest emergency department.
The articles are informative and educational in nature and do not replace professional consultation. If symptoms are affecting your daily life, you can contact Serafeim Care for psychiatric consultation or psychotherapy in Tirana or online.
Psychiatry & psychotherapy in Tirana and online.
