All you need to know about depression

Verified by Dr. Rituparna Ghosh, Consultant Clinical Psychology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai

What is Depression?

Depression is not a Choice.

It is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects negatively how you think, feel and behave and inhibits your social and day to day life functions. It is also called “The Common Cold of Psychiatry”. You look happy, but you do not feel happy, that’s what depression does to you.

Difference between Sadness & Depression

• In sadness, painful feelings come and go gradually
• In sadness, self-esteem is maintained
• Sadness is a human emotion that all people feel at certain times in life due to situations causing emotional upset or pain
• It is temporary and fades with time whereas depression is a longer-term mental illness impairing social, occupational and other areas of functioning.
• In sadness, you still can have moments of enjoyment, however, in depression, it is hard to find pleasure in life
• Sadness is an emotion, not an illness, depression is an illness

Causes of Depression

• Life conflicts
• Death / Loss of loved ones
• Genetic factors
• Past history of abuse
• Changes in major life events
• Other personal concerns
•  Co-morbid serious illnesses

Types of Depression

• Major Depression
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Bipolar Depression
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Psychotic Depression
• Situational Depression

Symptoms of Depression

• Feeling sad or upset for a prolonged period of time (approx.2 weeks) which is frequent and with or without a specific cause
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were enjoyed earlier
• Changes in sleep pattern and appetite
• Changes in weight not related to dieting
• Loss of energy / feeling fatigued
• Irritability & restlessness
• Feelings of worthlessness & hopelessness
• Extreme guilt feelings
• Difficulty in decision making
• Thoughts of death / suicide

Risk Factors in Depression

• Early childhood trauma
• Inability to cope with a devastating life event
• Low self esteem
• Family history of mental illness
• History of substance abuse
• Lack of family and community acceptance
• Trouble adjusting to a medical condition
• History of prior mental health disorders
• Lack of support system

How can you help others?

• Offer support & understanding
• Listen without Judgement
• Encourage Self-help strategies
• Involve them in Hobbies
• Never Ignore self-harm related comments
• Give space to them to verbalize their feelings
• Let them adhere to treatment plan if needed

Treatment

• It is among the most treatable disorders.
• A thorough diagnostic evaluation through psychological assessments is done before a diagnosis of depression is made.
• Pharmacology – Antidepressants are prescribed to modify one’s brain chemical functioning levels.
• Psychotherapeutic Interventions & Counselling – CBT (involving cognitive restructuring of negative distorted thoughts to positive self-enhancing ones, thought substitutions & reframing).
• Behavioural Therapy – focusing on changes in lifestyle management.
• Family counselling sessions are advised.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Exercise for 30 minutes every day.
• Read often and read widely.
• Boost your levels of vitamin B.
• Take time to relax.
• Take up a new hobby.
• Actively manage your health.
• Engage in stimulating conversations.
• Spend time with people whose company you enjoy.
• Practice gratitude.
• Identify your strengths, weaknesses and boundaries. 
• Acknowledge your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
• Set realistic goals.
• Express yourself.
• Ask for help when you feel overwhelmed.

Depression is treatable with proper timely diagnosis and interventions, hence verbalize and share your concerns if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Treatment will help you to lead a healthy and productive life.

Connect with our expert, Dr. Rituparna Ghosh, Consultant Clinical Psychology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.