Depression is a mood disorder where a person’s emotional state is abnormally low or sad and the person can not independently raise his or her mood.
Depression illness is going to be a hidden epidemic around the world. Research shows that the majority of the people who had committed suicide suffer from depressive illness.
Loss of quality work and absenteeism is the highest due to depression than any other illness. Depression destroys the working quality and capacity of people.90% of depressive patients virtually don’t get any treatment.
Now in the current situation, where an economic slowdown, most people lost their jobs, and many suffering from extreme psychological trauma. Apart from this, there is war, violence, social injustice and natural calamities. As a result, thousands of people are a victim of depression. There are an increasing number of suicide and depression among people.
Depression is like all other physical illnesses and is treatable. Awareness about depression is very much needed.
The common symptoms of depressive illness are divided into two groups, physical, related to the body and psychological, related to the mental and emotional state of a person.
Out of the following symptoms, if someone is having the majority of them for more than two weeks, he or she may be suffering from depression.
1) Depressive mood – loss of pleasure in life and unable to enjoy usual activities.
2) Loss of love and affection even towards own children and spouse
3) loss of appetite and loss of weight
4) loneliness, restlessness, crying or tearfulness, feeling sad and miserable
5) loss of energy and feeling tired or exhausted
6) disturbed sleep
7) withdrawal from family and friends
8) diminished sexual desire and activity
9) feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness
10) difficulty in concentration and in making decisions.
11) loss of interest in meeting people or watching TV or Movie
12) bitter or sour seasoning dryness of mouth, constipation, heartburn, indigestion and flatulence
13) Aches, pain and burning sensation in body
14) suicidal thoughts or attempts
Depression in children
Depression in children is very real but sometimes illusive illness. The symptoms may be of different types.
1) persistent sad or irritable mood
2) loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. the outburst of shouting.
3) fearful and phobic mood. Depressed and dejected
4) loss of appetite, sleep and weight
5) tendency to unnecessary lying, and withdrawal from everybody. lack in concentration
6) run away from home or desire to do so
7) inattentive in studies and bad performance in the examination and feeling worthless
8) negative thoughts
9) feel unloved, pessimistic or even hopeless about the future
10) talk about death and threaten to commit suicide
Depression in old age
Apart from the usual symptoms of depression, certain symptoms are characteristically present in old age depression.
1) Intense anxiety regarding normal physiological functions like heartbeats, sweating and bowel movements which are called hypochondriasis.
2) restlessness and agitation all over the body. Tendency to hit others for minor reasons.
3) Doubt over neighbours, relatives and family members.
4) forgetfulness is sometimes predominantly present in old age depression, which is called pseudodementia.
Old-age depression is left unrecognised but if detected can be treated effectively in most cases.
Treatment of depressive illness:
All the medicine which are used for the treatment of depression in the world is available everywhere. Treatment does not always require expensive investigations like MRI, CT scan or numerous blood examinations.
People of any age may be affected by depression.
Whatever medicine will be prescribed for depression, it will take two to three weeks to work effectively. Regular intake of medicines in appropriate doses ensures improvement in 100% of cases.
WHO mentioned that heart diseases, metabolic disorders, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and coronary artery diseases will increase substantially due to depressive illness.
Due to global warming minimum variation of the World’s temperature makes people more vulnerable to mental illness.
According to WHO, 5 to 6 thousand people commit suicide every day in the world. out of them, nearly 90% suffer from depression and most of them expressed their desire to die earlier to their close people in different ways.
Thinks to do
Learn to say no. Don’t be scared without reason. Know yourself.
Love your work and working environment. Make your hobby or interest. Spend time with children and family members.
Keep your personality intact. Keep no complex. Love everybody.
Do regular exercise and meditation. Have six to seven hours of sleep. Eat a healthy balanced diet.
Avoid any addiction. Do not run after unrealistic goals. Do not sit at home alone.
Seek out people who understand your feelings.
Live life in the best way. Try to be positive in your thinking.
Take your medications correctly.
So, live life fully and be positive.
Dr S.k.jha
DocWorld 