And then there is no way out of the sadness. Lack of drive, sleep and appetite make life a misery... Depression is more widespread than long assumed and has become a real widespread disease: Around four million people in Germany suffer from some form of depression, which is around five percent of the population. idee für mich answers the most important questions about the illness.

The psychological symptoms are accompanied by physical ones

Almost everyone knows phases in which they feel sad or despondent. For most people, these mild depressive episodes pass. However, if such a state lasts for 14 days or longer, there is a risk of depression - and this requires medical help. Alone, you are in danger of drowning in a sea of despondency: Nothing brings joy, everything is a burden. The psychological symptoms are often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as headaches or back pain, which make a correct diagnosis even more difficult.

Depression: definition and forms

The following definition describes depression: it is a mental illness that manifests itself as an affective disorder. This means that those affected suffer from severe fluctuations in mood and drive. Typical symptoms are a lack of joy, a lack of drive and a loss of interest in activities. A distinction is made between different types of depression: melancholic depression, for example, is characterized by emotional emptiness, while seasonal depression occurs at certain times of the year. Women can also suffer from postnatal depression, commonly known as postpartum depression.

Overall, more women than men are affected - on the one hand, this is because they are more sensitive than men. On the other hand, they are more likely to mention possible symptoms of depression to their doctor and thus receive a diagnosis. Men, on the other hand, talk almost exclusively about physical complaints, so the real cause often goes unrecognized.

Depression - what to do?

At idee für mich you will find everything you need to know about depression: tips on how to deal with it, therapeutic approaches, advice for friends and family and how yoga or even going for a walk can help to alleviate the suffering.