What is depression?
Depression is a medical disorder that can have many implications on the quality of life of the person suffering from it and those who care about him or her. Most of us occasionally feel blue or sad, but these feelings are usually transient and pass within a couple of days or weeks. However, depression differs from this only in the features that
1) It can be too severe to be explained by normal circumstances, or
2) It can be too pervasive to affect the normal functioning of the individual.
Here, we would like to stress that though depression is a psychiatric diagnosis, it is a medical disorder just like hypertension, diabetes etc. And if diagnosed early and treated effectively can be very efficiently managed.
The causes of depression and the risk factors
With newer and more advanced research, various theories and causes of depression have been proposed, the most accepted of these is of imbalances of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in the brain. This in interaction with various genetic and environmental factors is the cause of most cases of clinical depression. This research finding has paved way for more efficacious treatment of this disorder. Though in most cases, we do not know the cause for this abnormality (sometimes called endogenous – meaning: without any external cause - depression) certain inciting causes like bereavement, loss of career/ finances or a loved one may be the cause ( referred to as reactive depression) or seasonal changes (these are common in extreme condition places esp where it is too cold, uncommon in India... referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Are you depressed?
If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from clinical depression.
- you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
- you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
- you feel hopeless and helpless
- you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
- you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
- you are much more irritable and short-tempered than usual
- you have thoughts that life is not worth living (Seek help immediately if this is the case)
Treatment
Many people with a depression never seek treatment. But for the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, many modalities are available to effectively deal with depression and offer a ray of hope to this debilitating disorder.
Medications: various anti depressant medications like the tricyclics, SSRIS (A form of inhibitors) and many newer medications are available. You must consult your doctor before starting/ changing or stopping these medications. Your doctor can decide which drug would be best for you.
ECT or electro convulsive therapy, or 'shock treatment’ as it is colloquially called is one of the oldest means for treating depression. If for some reason medicines will not be helpful or dangerous to you, your doctor may advise this therapy. With modern techniques and anesthesia, this is an extremely safe modality of treatment today, and can supplement or replace the medications.
VNS or vagal nerve stimulation involves stimulation of a particular nerve called the vagus via electrodes placed in the neck. - Another effective therapy for patients whose symptoms are not controlled by medications.
However, these modalities of treatment all require effective co-operation from the patient, the persons providing care to them and the physician. The vital role of support groups and empathy towards the patient with a non judgemental attitude cannot be over emphasized.
