The major characteristics of depression are the low mood, low activity during the day and night, general interest or ability to enjoy anything, and low reservoirs of energy. A nonspecific decrease in every aspect in life is observed regarding emotional aspects, cognitive resources, motivation and activities in daily functions. Thinking of “depression” one usually thinks of major depression which is true in severe cases but like any other disorder, depression spans from mild to moderate to severe cases.

Having a depression one often experiences sadness, feeling of despair, helplessness and lack of interest even in things that were in his-her interest in the past. Sometimes, the patient with depression is overwhelmed with guilt feelings, self-hatred, anxiety and may become either totally apathetic or filled with tension. Keeping record of ones deteriorating situation the individual becomes pessimistic and resentful, confronting the world and mainly himself. Not receiving proper help soon enough, occasionally suicidal thoughts emerge that in some instances may shift from thinking to dreadful activities.

Having very low motivation the individual may neglect cleaning the house, eating or washing. Feeling tired, weak and tensed, sometimes different psychosomatic headaches, stomachaches, different eating disorders as well as as sleeping disorders appear.

Treatment

The treatment of depression comprises both medical (pharmacological) as well as intensive psychological treatments. Despite enormous improvements in medication focused at helping people with depression, it should be born in mind that up to 40% of the people who suffer from depression will be resilient to any improvement under conventional treatment!!!.           

Novel treatments

Novel understanding of the brain’s circuitry and function has lead to better understand the leading factors involved in depression and thus further develop a new, scientific, biophysical non-invasive, accurate and reliable method (BDTAK) to diagnose depression accurately. The patient performs the test autonomously, at his home setting.

Moreover, the BDTAK enables accurate biophysical monitoring of differential efficacy of the therapy employed leading to better medication adjustments. BDTAK has been tested with patients within the wide age span of 4 to 63 years for different disorders.

Important to remember is the fact that in order to help those with depression, like in many other instances the patients have got to be brought to the clinic with the help of the family or friends.

Dr. A. Kessler, writing this page is a psychologist and a neuropsychologist in the “Clinic of Advanced Psychology”, engaged in treating patients and clinical research, a member of the Israeli Psychological Association, an affiliate member of the APA and a member of the TIC consortium.