Comment je peux trouver mon equilibre?

The maintenance factors of depression are elements that contribute to the persistence and recurrence of depressive symptoms over time. These factors can keep depression going, even after the initial onset. Some of the key maintenance factors include:

1. Cognitive Patterns:

   • Negative thinking: Depressed individuals often have distorted, negative thought patterns, such as rumination, catastrophizing, and a tendency to focus on failures or mistakes. This keeps the depression alive.

   • Cognitive distortions: These are biased ways of thinking, like overgeneralizing, filtering, and black-and-white thinking, which reinforce feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.

2. Behavioral Factors:

   • Avoidance: People with depression might withdraw from activities or social situations they once enjoyed, leading to increased isolation, which can worsen symptoms.

   • Reduced activity: Depression often leads to a lack of engagement in meaningful or pleasurable activities, creating a cycle of inactivity that reinforces feelings of low energy and sadness.

   • Sleep disturbances: Irregular sleep patterns, either too much or too little, can worsen depressive symptoms.

3. Social Factors:

   • Social isolation: Depression can cause individuals to withdraw from family and friends, leading to loneliness and a lack of social support, both of which can maintain or worsen depressive symptoms.

   • Conflicts or strained relationships: Ongoing interpersonal difficulties or unresolved conflicts can maintain feelings of stress, frustration, and hopelessness.

4. Physiological Factors:

   • Neurobiological changes: Depression can involve changes in brain function, including imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which can make it harder to recover without intervention.

   • Chronic stress response: Ongoing stress can lead to dysregulation of the stress response system (e.g., elevated cortisol levels), which can sustain depression.

5. Psychological Factors:

   • Low self-esteem: Persistent negative self-perception and feelings of worthlessness can maintain depression. Individuals with low self-esteem might struggle to make positive changes or believe they can get better.

   • Unresolved trauma: Past trauma, abuse, or significant life events can continue to influence the person's emotional state, often triggering or maintaining depressive symptoms.

6. Environmental Factors:

   • Stressful life events: Ongoing stressors, such as financial difficulties, work problems, or loss, can trigger or maintain depression.

   • Lack of access to support or treatment: If someone is unable to access therapy or support, their depression may continue or worsen.

In treatment, addressing these maintenance factors is crucial for breaking the cycle of depression. Therapy (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT), medication, lifestyle changes, and building a strong support system can all play a role in mitigating these factors and aiding recovery.