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.
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