The word depression is not unfamiliar to us now. We all know that it is a mental illness. But did you know, sometimes even after taking the medication prescribed by a doctor and going to counseling, there are times when this depression condition cannot be easily controlled. It is as if it "resists" treatment. In medicine, we call this condition Treatment-Resistant Depression , or (TRD) for short. Although this condition can affect anyone, it can be a little complicated to recognize in cultures like ours. The reason for this is that the way we experience this disease and talk about it has changed. Let's talk about this in a little more depth today.
Why is the way we talk about the symptoms of depression different?
When depression is discussed in Western literature, it is mainly about mental symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, and the inability to enjoy anything. However, in our culture, many people are reluctant to talk about their sadness directly. This may be because they see it as a weakness, or because they are afraid that others will think "I'm crazy."
So, this stress comes out in a different way. That is, as physical symptoms . You can go to a doctor and say:
- "Doctor, there is no life in the body." ( Fatigue )
- "I feel dizzy all the time, sometimes my eyes turn blue." ( Dizziness )
- "Joint aches and pains are endless." ( Aches and Pains )
- "I can't sleep at night, I stay awake until dawn." ( Insomnia )
- Some people may even experience sleep paralysis , where they wake up scared and feel as if their body is frozen.
At times like these, you may think you have some kind of physical illness. The doctor will first examine you for that. But the real cause behind all this may be depression.
When this is detected late, the disease may worsen and the response to treatment may decrease.
How depression manifests in different forms
Depression is not something that affects everyone in the same way. Especially in our society, the way stress manifests itself is very different. Let's look at this table to understand this clearly.
| Type of symptom | Commonly shown symptoms |
|---|---|
| Psychological characteristics often mentioned in books |
|
| Physical and behavioral characteristics that are commonly displayed in our culture |
|
Think about a new mother who has just had a baby. She may have postpartum depression. But she may not tell the doctor, "I'm sad." She may say, "I can't sleep well," "I'm very irritable," "I don't feel like doing anything." At this time, it is very important to recognize these physical and behavioral symptoms and identify the underlying depression.
Risk of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment
If you only tell your doctor about things like dizziness and body aches, the doctor will naturally think of another physical illness. This can sometimes take time to test and treat other conditions.
Meanwhile, the underlying depression gets worse. Even if depression is eventually diagnosed, the disease is already well-established. Therefore, it is less likely to respond to standard treatments. Simply put, the later it is diagnosed, the more likely it is to develop into TRD.
Sometimes, these symptoms can be mistaken for another mental illness, such as schizophrenia , instead of depression. The treatment you receive will be completely wrong. The longer you don't receive the right treatment, the less likely you are to improve your mental health.
So what should we do?
I'm not trying to scare you with this story. My goal is to educate you. If you or someone you know has had a similar experience, there are a few things you can do.
1. Be completely open with your doctor: Tell him or her about all your symptoms. From body aches, to sleep problems, to irritability, to sadness. Don't hide anything because it's a small thing.
2. Keep a diary: Write down everything you feel throughout the day, including your mood, sleep, and energy levels. This will help your doctor understand your condition better.
3. Be patient: It may take some time to find the right treatment for depression. If one medication doesn't work, your doctor may recommend another medication or treatment. Don't give up hope.
4. Seek counseling: Like medication, counseling or psychotherapy is also a very important treatment for depression. Talking about and releasing what is on your mind can provide great relief.
The most important thing is, don't suffer alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of self-love and strength.
Take-Home Message
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a depressive disorder that does not respond easily to standard treatments.
- In our culture, many people talk about physical symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, and insomnia, rather than the mental distress caused by depression.
- Because of this, diagnosis of the disease may be delayed and the condition may worsen.
- When you see your doctor, be clear and honest about all the changes you feel in your mind and body.
- It can take time to find the right treatment. Don't give up hope, and work closely with your doctor. Getting help is a sign of strength.
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