What is Depression and How do you treat Depression

10 Jul 2020

Depression is a common mental disorder.
Depression is a type of Mood Disorder.
Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression.
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life.
It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family.
At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. (About 10 percent of persons with Depression can commit Suicide and It is preventable!!)
Depression is a Real Illness:Sadness is something we all experience. It is a normal reaction to difficult times in life and usually passes with a little time. When a person has depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It can cause pain for both the person with depression and those who care about him or her. Doctors call this condition “depressive disorder,” or “clinical depression.” It is a real illness. It is not a sign of a person’s weakness or a character flaw. You can’t “snap out of” clinical depression. Most people who experience depression need treatment to get better.
Types & Symptoms:
Depending on the number and severity of symptoms, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe.
Sadness is only a small part of depression. Some people with depression may not feel sadness at all. Depression has many other symptoms, including physical ones. If you have been experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms for at least 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms

What Causes Depression? Or What are the factors responsible?
Many factors may play a role in depression, including genetics, brain biology and chemistry, and life events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, an early childhood experience, or any stressful situation.
We call it as a Bio-Psycho-Social Model. (Biological Factors-Psychological Factors & Social Factors)
Depression can affect individuals of any age group and gender.
But often begins in the teens or early 20s or 30s.
It is 2-3 times more common in women compared to men.
It is a recurrent, relapsing condition and hence can become chronic in certain percentage of the patients.
Depression can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Depression can make these conditions worse and vice versa. Sometimes medications taken for these illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A psychiatrist experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy.
How do you treat Depression?
Depression is definitely treatable
Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is.
Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health and symptoms. There are no lab tests that can specifically diagnose depression, but your doctor may also order some lab tests to rule out other conditions.
Treatment:
Medications: ‘Antidepressants’
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
Usually, a combination approach including life style modifications is advised
Remember: No two people are affected the same way by depression. There is no “one-size-fits-all” for treatment.
In some cases, when medication and psychotherapy have not helped, a treatment known as Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) may be used. ECT uses a brief electrical current applied to the scalp while the patient is under anaesthesia. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes and patients typically receive ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. It is a very efficacious and useful modality of treatment in certain group of patients wit Depression
Although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected in the world (in many countries including India, fewer than 10%) receive such treatments. Barriers to effective care include a lack of resources, lack of trained health-care providers, and social stigma associated with mental disorders.
Kindly meet your mental health professional at the earliest for appropriate management of your Depression.

Important Links: