Hello everyone, this is the Mental Health
for Life channel. No matter what kind of illness you have, you
will not suddenly get better overnight. You gradually recover over time, taking steps
and slowly healing from the damage. Each disease has its own path to recovery,
and mental illness is no exception. So, what about depression? In the case of depression, there are three
major phases, namely, the "initial," the "acute," and the "recovery" phases. It usually takes about six months to a year
to recover after treatment begins. The starting point, or the time of onset of
the illness, is often unclear. From there, the patient gradually loses energy,
entering the initial phase. It is rare for the patient to be able to recognize
the disease during this period, so they often push themselves until they reach the acute
phase. During the acute phase, the patient feels
severe anxiety and depression, and is unable to lead a normal life. Most people seek treatment and rest at this
point as they become more aware of their illness. After about one to three months of treatment,
the acute phase ends and the patient enters the recovery phase. This is a period when the patient does not
feel bad, but lacks energy and concentration, making it hard to function. The patient gradually recovers, and after
about six months, they can finally return to their normal life. This is when they can resume work. However, this does not mean that the patient
is cured. The word "remission" is used to suggest that
the symptoms have disappeared, and the patient is stable for the time being. This is because more than half of the patients
able to go back to work may relapse within the next year. Therefore, preventive medication is continued
after the recovery period. This period is called the "stable period"
or "relapse prevention period. In this video, we will explain in more detail
the path to recovery from depression, breaking it down into the initial, acute, recovery,
and stable phases. 1 The Initial Phase
This is the period when the patient loses energy and does not recover even with weekends
off. They may feel unwell and wonder if it's just
tiredness or perhaps laziness. Since they are somehow able to continue working,
they might not consider going to a hospital. However, people around them may notice something
is wrong, such as a dark expression on their face, irritability, or an increase in mistakes
at work. If someone who notices the problem points
it out, one may go to a hospital and receive guidance such as lightening their workload
or taking a longer rest period, and they may start to improve. However, more often than not, people continue
with their lives as they are, and something causes their condition to deteriorate rapidly
and they move into the acute phase. 2 The Acute Phase
This is the period when the patient becomes aware of the illness with a strong sense of
anxiety and depression. In particular, insomnia and loss of appetite
are major signs. When they visit the hospital, they are
advised to take a leave of absence from work and to take medication. If one has symptoms like insomnia and reduced
appetite, recovery is challenging without medication. Some patients refuse to take medication, saying,
"I'm afraid to take it." However, the prescribed medication has no
major side effects and is by no means addictive like narcotics. Consider yourself lucky if your illness can
be cured with just a few pills instead of difficult surgery or rehabilitation. In most cases, antidepressants are prescribed,
but unlike painkillers or cold medicines, they don't take effect right away; the effect
comes gradually after about two weeks. For this reason, anti-anxiety medication or
sleeping pills that provide immediate relief from anxiety and insomnia may be prescribed
alongside them. To exit the acute phase, it may take about
a month for some people, while for those who take longer to find the right medication,
it might require up to three months. Living a life focused on eating and sleeping
is essential for recovery during this period. When sleep and appetite are restored, and
feelings of anxiety and depression lessen, one has entered the next phase of recovery. Around 10% of people may skip the recovery
phase and become too energetic. They become talkative, move around restlessly
throughout the day, shop too much, and get into more fights. This is a manic state. This is not depression but may suggest the
possibility of bipolar disorder. 3 The Recovery Phase
This is the period when sleep and eating patterns stabilize, and you can lead a regular life. One feels less anxious and worried, and their
mood is better, but they still cannot work because they lack energy and concentration. A day of overexertion may lead to several
days of rest. One’s mood varies from day to day, such
as feeling irritated on rainy days or feeling down because a single word from a family member. However, gradually, one’s body starts to
function better, and progress often resembles taking three steps forward and two steps back. It is a major sign of recovery when one notices
their cluttered room and begin to clean it up. They will also begin to enjoy entertainment
such as music and movies, which they may have avoided for a while. On average, the recovery period lasts about
six months, and the patient can start working only after entering the next, or stable, phase. During this period of overall improvement,
patients often stop taking their medications irregularly because they feel better. Stopping antidepressants can lead to a return
to the acute phase within weeks. Think of your medications as a lifeline and
continue taking them even when you feel better. There is nothing wrong with taking them for
a long time. We said the recovery period is about six months,
but some people may take longer. Some may stay in this state for years, as
recovery is different for each person, so do not rush. The stable period begins when you start to
feel more focused and energetic, and to feel bored at home. 4 Stabilization and relapse prevention period
This is the time to return to work. However, not everyone can resume work in a
completely refreshed state. Many people have no choice but to start work
due to workplace circumstances or for financial reasons. Data show that in such cases, half of them
relapse within a year. In any case, it is advisable to prioritize
your wellbeing by not taking on extra work and avoiding unnecessary socializing. Also, one should continue to visit the hospital
for at least one year, as medication can prevent relapses. Some people may feel worse if they stop
taking medication, even if they have been back to work for more than a year. If you can lead a regular life while taking
medication, you can consider yourself recovered from depression. From there, you can slowly reduce your medication
without setting a deadline. Although we have introduced the process of
recovering from depression, but it's common for there not to be clear boundaries between
each phase. There are also cases where one phase continues
for an extended period. In particular, there are many people who have
been in the recovery or stable phase for a long time and have been taking medication
for decades. People are not machines, so things don't always
go according to theory. Depression can be described as a state where
one's life energy has dried up. Even if one is receiving treatment, those
with complicated cases of depression may struggle to recharge their emotional energy. This can happen because they are not getting
the emotional nourishment they need, leading to a lifestyle that makes them prone to depression. Emotional nourishment consists of daily feelings
of security and joy. When you push yourself too hard in a life
devoid of such feelings, you end up with an emotional deficiency, and your energy for
life dries up as a result. The worst thing one can do is to think, "I
have to recover from my illness and get back to work by a certain time.” Such thinking is driven by a sense of obligation
and impatience and lacks the joy and peace of mind. By trying to get well as quickly as possible,
one may do things that are not good for their wellbeing. Some may say that there can be no peace of
mind or joy while battling with a disease but try to start by finding even the tiniest
bit of comfort and simple pleasures in your daily life. It could be the feeling of security when enjoying
a delicious coffee at a cafe, the joy of immersing yourself in a hobby, or the happiness you
experience when interacting with a dog. This was the Mental Health for Life channel. If you liked this video, please give it a
thumbs up and subscribe to our channel.
