Relapse Of Depression: Risk Factors And Prevention

Suffering from a relapse of depression can be frustrating and scary. If it was not bad enough, the relapse is usually accompanied by a feeling of guilt and shame. Statistics show that relapse of depression is very common ; About 80 percent of patients who have suffered from depression will get it back at some point within ten years.

One of the conditions with the highest recurrence is persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). The symptoms of this disorder come and go for several years. Although the intensity of the symptoms varies, the relapses usually last for at least two months. As you can imagine, those who suffer from dysthymia are in an exhausting and complex situation.

All this shows that we still do not have sufficient tools to solve mood disorders. There is a serious lack of concrete and viable information available about the difficult reality that so many people live with every day.

For example, many people still believe that those who suffer from depression are weak in some way. Despite developments in psychology and all the information available online, there is still a stigma surrounding cognitive disorders. Not only that, but we still have a long way to go when it comes to effective treatment for depression.

Why do people get relapses of depression?

Depression is a disorder that requires a short-term and long-term approach. If the therapist or psychiatrist declares that you are “cured” after pharmacological or therapy-based treatment, it does not mean that you have closed the door to this chapter in your life. Depression will continue to knock on your door. It usually does not disappear without guidance, a willingness to change or support from the environment. Although medication can help, it does not cure the condition.

What often happens is that patients with clear clinical improvement still experience what experts call “residual symptoms”. These symptoms can often lead to relapse and can be difficult to detect. A 2011 study from the University of Dublin on the prevalence and type of depression found that:

• Cognitive symptoms of depression are the most common. These are thoughts, attitudes and negative views on life. They make complete recovery extremely difficult. Distraction, difficulty finding the right words, difficulty making decisions, and slow thinking are also commonplace.
• Patients may also suffer from physical symptoms. Low energy and difficulty sleeping are some of the most common.

Let’s dive deeper into these ideas.

Your thought patterns carry the risk of relapse into depression

When you fall into a depression for the second time, you know what to expect. Among other things, you must start treatment again and talk to your doctor.

A study by Dr. Norman A. Farb conducted at the University of Toronto suggests that human thought patterns cause relapse. If you continue to play the victim, use an overly critical inner dialogue and have a negative attitude, the risk of relapse is high.

It is important to remember that these thought patterns are similar to rowing out at sea in a leaking boat. Negative thinking will drown you. It is exhausting and it gets in the way of creative and useful thoughts that help you navigate through life. This kind of inner dialogue can even convince you that you do not know how to swim. If you let it get this far, it can be very difficult to recover.

These cognitive symptoms usually also have physical manifestations. You will feel discouraged and tired. You may have trouble sleeping or suffer from muscle aches.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

When you have a relapse, you need to get professional help. Do not pretend that everything is in order. If you are broken inside, do not smile as if nothing is wrong. Maybe you go to bed every night hoping to feel better in the morning. While that hope may bring some relief, you will not get better without help.

Many people cope with depression on their own. Others start psychological therapy, but stop somewhere between the first and sixth month. That is simply not enough. If you really want to face your depression and avoid relapse, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is one of the most effective options.

Several studies, such as that of Dr. John D. Teasdale at Oxford University (and later at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit), show the benefits of this type of therapy.

Even patients with multiple relapses show significant improvement with mindfulness-based therapy. Not only that, they learn valuable strategies for reducing negative inner dialogue, controlling thought patterns and practicing positive habits to prevent relapse. It is possible to cope with these emotional and mental challenges. The first step is to decide that you want to get better. Although it takes courage, hard work and determination, the results are worth it.