“Doctor, I feel tired, depressed… “. More and more consultations begin in this way and end with the prescription of an antidepressant. Yet behind these complaints lie realities which have nothing to do with an antidepressant. depression. “It is normal to be sad or even depressed from time to time. This is due to our human nature”, recalled the philosopher André Comte-Sponville at the opening of the congress on new approaches to depression, which was held recently. in Saint-Malo.
The idea: to mobilize the patient’s personal resources
Life inevitably involves misfortunes (bereavement, unemployment…) which make daily life difficult but do not make us sick. At such times, you need compassion and time to get life back to normal, but not necessarily a morale booster.
Very different is the situation of the person who has gradually curled up on himself. She feels invaded by Negative thoughts, guilt, complains of oppression, sometimes pain. This one suffers from an illness: depression. But even in this case, more and more therapists are offering treatments that do not only, if at all, call for antidepressants. The objective: to mobilize the patient’s resources, to help him find the petals of life within him which will gradually bring him out of the impasse.
No disturbing questions, no judgment, more of a mundane discussion. Thus takes place an interview of psychotherapy. The therapist begins by using reassuring words. “Many people experience what you feel. Sometimes a small event causes a disproportionate reaction. If you agree, we will let this period of chaos unfold and I will accompany you”, often explains Dr Virot, psychiatrist.
The phases of acute depression can, in fact, be fruitful moments, believes this psychiatrist. On this occasion, the person may be healing from things that had bothered them for years.
