What are the symptoms and treatment methods for depressive disorders?

　　Symptoms of depression include persistent low mood, reduced interest, slowed thinking, physical discomfort, and diminished volitional activity. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, physical therapies, and rehabilitation support. Early detection and early intervention are essential. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks and affect daily functioning, prompt medical consultation is recommended.

　　I. Symptoms

　　1. Persistent low mood: The core symptom is prolonged sadness or emptiness, hopelessness about the future, frequent crying or emotional numbness, inability to experience pleasure, and a consistently low emotional state.

　　2. Reduced interest: Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, unwillingness to participate in social, work, or recreational activities, distancing from family and friends, strong preference for solitude, and general lack of enthusiasm toward surroundings.

　　3. Slowed thinking: Sluggish mental processing, poor concentration, decreased memory, difficulty thinking clearly, reduced speech with slow speaking rate, and significantly impaired decision-making ability.

　　4. Physical discomfort: Accompanied by various physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, decreased or increased appetite, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc. These symptoms recur despite the absence of identifiable organic disease.

　　5. Diminished volitional activity: Lack of motivation and initiative, disorganized lifestyle, neglect of personal responsibilities, and in severe cases, emergence of negative thoughts or behaviors such as self-harm or suicide.

　　II. Treatments

　　1. Medication: Antidepressant medications prescribed under medical supervision help regulate neurotransmitter balance in the brain, alleviating symptoms such as low mood and slowed thinking. Medications should be taken at sufficient dosage and for adequate duration; discontinuation should not be done without medical advice.

　　2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients modify negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors, develop positive thinking, and enhance stress-coping skills, thereby improving depressive symptoms at the psychological level.

　　3. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on interpersonal issues, helping patients rebuild social connections, improve interaction patterns, reduce feelings of isolation, and facilitating recovery through enhanced social support.

　　4. Physical Therapies: For moderate to severe depression or cases with inadequate response to medication, treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to rapidly alleviate severe symptoms and prepare for further treatment.

　　5. Rehabilitation and Supportive Therapy: Includes family therapy, group counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and other interventions to help patients reintegrate into society, prevent relapse, and promote full recovery and return to normal life.

　　Maintaining regular sleep patterns and a balanced diet, engaging in mild outdoor activities, actively communicating with family and friends, avoiding prolonged isolation, and cultivating hobbies to redirect attention can all support emotional regulation and recovery.