Usually, we hear about depression or melancholy, but very rarely both together. Yet, melancholic depression does exist! It is recognized as a real illness. Previously considered a malaise affecting only artists, this illness now affects more and more people, both workers and retirees, young people and adults. What exactly is this illness called, melancholic depression?
Melancholic depression: a disease that is not new
Ancient civilizations considered that being depressed or melancholic was caused by the presence of black bile in the body. These aids would be demonized centuries later, with the advent of Christianity. During the Renaissance, deep melancholy (which can be compared to melancholic depression) would become a topic of conversation, thanks to artists who often evoked it in their works. However, at that time, it would be associated with the blues of artists. It would not be until the 20th century that a medical definition would be given to melancholy, which was then considered the most serious form of depression.
Melancholic depression: a profound malaise
Nowadays, melancholic depression is defined as a depressive episode of manic-depressive psychosis. A rather complicated term for "extreme depression."
When a person suffers from melancholic depression, they experience all the symptoms of depression, but to a much more severe extent. However, some signs differentiate melancholic depression from simple depression or melancholia, including: intense hopelessness, self-deprecation, complete demotivation, and a loss of will to live (leading to significant suicidal tendencies). Melancholic depression begins by affecting the patient's state of mind and eventually affects everything about them, both their body and their life.
The causes of the disease are usually associated with manic-depressive psychosis (sudden mood changes accompanied by melancholy), neurological disorders or, in some cases, a triggering event (which is a source of trauma).
Melancholic depression should not be confused with seasonal affective disorder, which appears with the first cold weather, the lack of sunlight, and the shortening of the days. While the two types of depression may have similarities, it is much simpler to treat seasonal affective disorder than melancholic depression because its causes are more profound. In both cases, treatment with light therapy is possible and generally allows for rapid results, particularly for people who have lost all desire and motivation.
An idea of the symptoms:
Persistent sadness: upon waking up, the individual suffering from melancholic depression lacks willpower, feels sad, and does not know how to fight this sadness.
Feeling of guilt
Insomnia
Appetite disorders
Bad mood
Dark thoughts, even suicidal thoughts
Can melancholic depression be treated?
The answer is yes! However, the illness must be treated as early as possible, otherwise the patient risks taking their own life. Dark thoughts are very common in people suffering from melancholic depression; Diagnosing it is the first step to avoiding the worst.
Melancholic depression is generally treated in a hospital, and treatment is most often based on antidepressants. In more severe cases, treatment may involve the use of electroconvulsive therapy. It is often treated within a few weeks with the appropriate treatment; However, recurrence must be carefully monitored, which is very common in patients when the underlying causes of depression are not addressed.
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