Depression is not an "incurable disease," Noulai Medical experts remind

When Leslie Cheung was diagnosed with depression, he once said to his sister, "How could I be depressed? I have so many people who love me, and I am so happy. I don't acknowledge depression." Before his suicide, he questioned, "I've never done anything wrong in my life, why is it like this?"

In recent days, singer Coco Lee's family announced via social media that Coco Lee had been suffering from depression for several years. After a long struggle with the illness, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away at home on July 2nd, with her death occurring on July 5th. This news has saddened many netizens and shocked others. Why would someone like Coco Lee, who is perceived as so cheerful and optimistic, also suffer from depression?

Most people have stereotypes about depression, thinking that sufferers are all gloomy and uninterested in life, and that cheerful, smiling individuals cannot have depression. In reality, depression has its diagnostic criteria and its own patterns of onset and development. Not every depressed person will exhibit a pessimistic state, and it's not appropriate to judge based solely on a person's outward personality. Some individuals with depression have what is colloquially termed "smiling depression." This is when someone conceals their depressive feelings behind a smiling facade, leading others to believe that they are happy. This makes it difficult to detect depressive symptoms. Such individuals may struggle to receive help from others in a timely manner, which can lead to them becoming isolated and feeling unsupported.

With the development of mental health education in recent years, people are no longer unfamiliar with the term "depression." However, "depression" as a disease has not received the attention and understanding it deserves. For many people, it is still difficult to comprehend and accept. There are even instances of mockery and misuse of the term on the internet.

How to identify depression?

"Depression" is a common psychological disorder, characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or motivation in previously enjoyable activities, low self-esteem, and negative thoughts or behaviors.

The most crucial causes of depression are lack of motivation and pleasure. It's like a train losing its fuel and power, causing patients to be unable to maintain their previous way of life. In severe cases, patients' lives stagnate. They not only lose their ability to engage in advanced social and work functions but also experience problems with basic physiological functions such as eating and sleeping. They may even develop psychiatric symptoms and have suicidal thoughts. The symptoms of depression vary widely, with individual differences, but can generally be classified into the following categories.

01 Depressed mood

Feeling down is the most central symptom, characterized by significant and persistent feelings of sadness and pessimism, varying in severity. Mild cases may experience melancholy, lack of pleasure, and loss of interest, while severe cases may feel despair, as if each day is endless, and may even contemplate suicide.

02 Cognitive impairment

Patients often feel that their thinking has slowed down, their minds have become empty, their reactions are slow, and they have difficulty remembering things. The content of their thoughts is often negative and pessimistic. In severe cases, patients may even experience delusions and other psychiatric symptoms. For example, they may suspect themselves of having a serious illness due to physical discomfort, or they may experience delusions of relationships, poverty, persecution, etc. Some patients may also experience hallucinations, often auditory hallucinations.

03 Decreased volition

Manifests as a lack of will and motivation to do things. For example, living a sluggish lifestyle, unwillingness to socialize, spending long periods alone, neglecting personal hygiene, and in severe cases, being nonverbal, immobile, and refusing to eat.

04 Cognitive Impairment

The main manifestations include declining memory, reduced attention or difficulty learning, constant reminiscing of unhappy events from the past, or consistently dwelling on pessimistic thoughts.

05 physical symptoms

Common symptoms include sleep disturbances, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, pain (anywhere in the body), decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, amenorrhea, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Experts remind: Depression is not an incurable condition.

Professor Tian Zengmin, Chief Expert in Neurological Disorders at Noulai Medical, emphasized that severe depression is a disease, not simply a case of feeling down. It cannot be resolved by just going out or trying to stay positive. The notion that being cheerful and smiling can prevent depression is a misconception; sometimes individuals may simply choose not to express their negative emotions publicly. In addition to symptoms such as persistent loss of interest, mood swings, easy crying, and feelings of fatigue, physical pain, insomnia, tinnitus, and palpitations may also be manifestations of depression. Depression, as a disease, is not incurable. With professional help, most patients can be treated and return to normal life. For patients with severe depression, it is essential to seek help from a qualified psychiatrist first, who can tailor a treatment plan based on the patient's condition, including medication if necessary. If conventional treatments fail, consultation with a functional neurosurgeon may be considered for further evaluation, potentially leading to stereotactic minimally invasive surgery if deemed appropriate.

If we have someone with depression around us, it's crucial to understand how to interact with them. Often, friends and family of individuals with depression may misunderstand their behaviors due to a lack of understanding about the condition. When interacting with someone with depression, people around them may feel unsure, fearing they might inadvertently cause harm. It's essential to offer understanding, respect, and the sense that they are being heard as the individual with depression tries to be understood. Listening attentively is paramount when supporting someone with depression. After listening, it's best not to add judgment, analysis, or blame. Being caring is crucial because individuals with depression are often fragile and need care and support. Depression is a complex condition with various causes, and individuals don't choose to be afflicted by it. Approaching the situation with care and love while seeking professional help is the best course of action. It's important not to burden oneself with excessive psychological stress or blame oneself for not being able to provide enough care. Systematic treatment requires consulting with qualified professionals. Psychiatrists can assess the patient's condition and determine if medication intervention is necessary, as well as provide appropriate treatment plans. For some severe cases of depression that don't respond to conservative treatments, consultation with a functional neurosurgeon may be necessary.