Depression – symptoms and first aid for sufferers
Depression is a widespread mental illness that affects the lives of many people around the world. In Switzerland alone, 10% of the population showed moderate to severe symptoms of depression in 2022, according to the FSO, with women generally more frequently affected than men. In the 15 to 24 age group, as many as 25.5% of women are affected by depression.
It is often difficult for those affected to determine the exact cause. Sadness or feeling down for a few hours or even days is familiar to most people and is not unusual. However, if this state does not disappear even in pleasant situations and lasts most of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks, it is called depression according to the WHO.
Knowing the symptoms can help to recognise depression at an early stage and have this illness treated.
Symptoms of depression
The symptoms of depression are divided into main and secondary symptoms, and sometimes also into symptoms of the affective and cognitive clusters. In simple terms, depression can manifest itself as follows:
- an almost daily depressed mood (feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness)
- Decreased or increased drive (motivation)
- difficulty concentrating
- Decreased self-esteem or the feeling of being worthless
- Negative future prospects
- feelings of guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Decreased or increased sleeping or eating behavior
- Decreased or increased libido
- Excessive restlessness, which can be accompanied by anxiety
- slower speech and slower movements
- Changed / rigid facial expressions
- low energy and tiredness / exhaustion even after little activity
First aid for depression
Am I depressed? If you ask yourself this question, it is important to talk to your doctor or a psychiatrist first. Even though the social acceptance of treatment for mental illness has improved in recent years, depression is still stigmatized. However, shame or feelings of guilt are not appropriate. Depression is an illness in the medical sense and should be treated accordingly.
Help in an emergency
You can contact the following authorities in emergency situations, including depression:
- Emergency call center: 144
Available 24/7 for emergency medical and rescue services - Emergency call for children and young people: 147
Pro Juventute offers support for children, young people and parents - The Dargebotene Hand: 143
24 / 7 Advice by phone, e-mail or chat for people in crisis situations - Equilibrium:
The association for coping with depression lists further contacts for depression, such as crisis intervention centers and self-help groups.
Where can I find psychiatric help for depression?
On the website of the SGPP(Swiss Society of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy), you can use a search function to find psychiatric help in your area: to search
Location-independent help for depression
Outpatient psychiatric Spitex for psychosocial care can also help people affected by depression. It can support those affected in their everyday lives and help them to recover from depression by involving partners and other relatives with doctors and therapists. If psychosocial care is prescribed by a doctor, 90% of the costs are covered by health insurance. You can find out what services psychiatric Spitex offers by clicking on the following link:
