由 home-healthhaven 
Sometimes, our health issues can be linked to psychological problems. The type of psychological issues we experience often depends on our personality. For some people, stress manifests mentally, leading to conditions like phobias, while for others, it can result in physical ailments. Psychiatrists refer to these physical ailments caused by psychological stress as somatised or masked depressions. These types of depression can be hard to diagnose because both doctors and patients might not realize that stress is the root cause.
For instance:
– **Choleric people**: They often exhibit stress through cardiovascular issues like hypertension or heart attacks, and other problems like duodenal ulcers or urological issues.
– **Melancholic people**: Their depression may lead to conditions such as gastric ulcers, asthma, and various types of neurodermatitis.
– **Phlegmatic and sanguine people**: They are generally less prone to nervous system diseases, and about 5 to 7 percent of people are naturally less likely to suffer from depression. Experts refer to these fortunate individuals as having “sunny dispositions.”
The most common victims of depression include:
– **Cyclothymics (about 20%)**: These are usually healthy individuals who experience unexplained mood swings. They are very sensitive and can be affected by weather changes that cause fatigue, headaches, and malaise.
– **People with a weak autonomic nervous system (15%)**: They frequently experience issues like dystonia, fluctuating blood pressure, and a generally depressive attitude.
– **Anxious, suspicious individuals**: This is the largest group affected by depression.
– **People highly dependent on hormones**: This category includes women during pregnancy or menopause, individuals with thyroid disease, and those undergoing a midlife crisis.
Recognizing hidden depression and knowing when to seek medical help can be challenging. Watch for signs like:
– Prolonged bad mood and difficulty concentrating (lasting more than 5-7 days)
– Waking up with negative thoughts, often accompanied by increased irritability
– Feeling depressed without any external reason, even when everything seems fine
– Experiencing pain during stressful or emotionally intense situations (e.g., workplace conflicts causing stomach pain)
– Obsessive concerns about health and constant worry about potential pain
– Suicidal thoughts such as “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I don’t understand why I’m living.”
Treating covert depression doesn’t always require antidepressants. An integrated approach involving psychotherapy and carefully tailored medication is often best. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution:
– **Asthenic depression** is treated with stimulants.
– **Anxiety** may be eased with tranquilizers and sedative medications.
– **Deep nervous system processes** might require very small doses of tranquilizers and neuroleptics.
Supporting the body with vitamins (B, C, folic acid) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, selenium, lecithin) can also be very helpful.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression was the second leading cause of disability in 2006. Around 70% of chronic illnesses are psychosomatic, affecting the nervous system.
**Quiz: Are you prone to depression?**
For each statement, score:
– Yes: 2 points
– Not often, but it happens: 1 point
– No: 0 points
1. I am rarely light-hearted. Happy people tend to annoy me.
2. Sometimes, life feels meaningless to me.
3. I often wake up in a bad mood for no particular reason, even on sunny days.
4. I struggle to shake off gloomy thoughts, and others’ joy irritates me.
5. Sometimes, I’m so bored and sad that it makes me feel physically sick.
6. I can easily cry.
7. I often dwell on things I said or did wrong, and others’ words and actions stick with me.
8. I always feel exhausted, even with no reason to be tired.
**Results:**
– **11 points or more**: You’re deeply in the midst of depression and need professional help from a psychotherapist.
– **6 to 10 points**: You’re often haunted by depression, but you might still avoid it with medication. Consult a psychologist for guidance.
– **Up to 5 points**: You have a strong mentality and can handle stress well. If you don’t feel like working, don’t blame it on a bad mood – you might just be lazy!