Depression

We often come across this question – Am I depressed? But, we first need to understand what “Depression is?”

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being. People with a depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless.

For diagnosis, these signs should be present most of the day either daily or nearly daily for at least two weeks. Some other common symptoms that people with depression face are:

• Loss of pleasure in life
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Persistent aches/ pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
• Persistently sad, anxious
• Thoughts/ attempts of suicide

While above are common symptoms of depression. It can also happen in patterns. Depression in childhood and in teens are of different kinds too. One in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents suffer with depression. It is estimated that, by the year 2020, major depression will be second only to heart disease in terms of the leading causes of disability in the world. Depression can be of various types like:

• Major depression
• Chronic depression (dysthymia)
• Bipolar depression
• Seasonal depression (SAD or seasonal affective disorder)
• depression
• Post-partum depression
• Substance-induced mood disorder (SIMD)
• Double depression
• Secondary depression
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Masked depression

Can Depression be treated?

Certainly, depression can be cured and one needs to take some actions for it. Following some simple ways, we can cure it effectively. First step in this direction is to cultivate supportive relationships as below:

• Turning to family members and friends whom one can trust.
• Keeping up with social activities as being around other people can be therapeutic.
• Join support groups

Second step in curing the depression is stopping the negative thoughts as below:

• Think beyond yourself.
• Allow yourself to be less than perfect: Many people who suffer from depression are perfectionists as they have high standards for themselves and they beat themselves up if they fail to meet them.
• Socialise with positive minded people.

Third step in curation is taking care of oneself as below:

• Sleeping 8 hours minimum daily.
• Exposure to sunlight: getting at least 15 mins of sunlight is good for lifting one’s mood.
• Lowering stress: concentration is low at these times thus one may not be able to perform well in their work.
• Taking up relaxing habits: Trying yoga/ going for a walk, trying meditation, taking up a hobby will help one to relax as well as get into a more positive frame of mind.

What’s your cure for depression? Your thoughts would be appreciated.