Depression!!!

A Treatable Mental illnessBy- Dr.Hemant Mittal (MBBS, PGDPM)

Mind-trainer – Counselor – Neuro-Psychiatristwww.mindmantra.in

Depression Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is the

most common mental disorder 15-20% of general population Twice as common in women than in men:

20 % of women and 10% of men, suffer from depression at

least once in their lifetimes

What Is Depression? Disorder of Mood

Normal people experience a wide range of moods

In depression There is a sadness of mood that varies

little from day to day and remains through out.

Feeling of great distress Sense of control over moods swings is

lost

Who Can Get Depression? Depression has been proved to be a

biological state occurring due to change in levels of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

This is biological state is caused by: Genetic predisposition / Hereditary Factors:People will with family history of severe

depressive episodes are at higher risk to fall prey to even minor life stress.

…continued… Personality Factors Environmental stressors

Work stressors Family problems Medical disorders Financial stress

Symptoms and Signs

Signs And Symptoms…Like any other medical disorder it, years of

research through MRI, CT scans, psychoanalytical testing has found certain parts of the brain to be having a decreased functioning during episode of depression.

This creates common mind-body disturbances that help in diagnosing clinical depression.

…Continued…The most common signs and symptoms

are: Depressed/ sad/ anxious mood (feeling

low) Loss of sleep/ loss of appetite Weight loss Lack of self confidence/ Indecisiveness Loss of interest in usual activities

…continued… Decreased interest in sex or sexual

pleasures. Crying spells Negative expectations from self/ people Increased dependency Recurrent thoughts of death/ expressed

suicidal thoughts/ attempts

…Body symptoms include.. Most commonly presented :-

GI disturbancesConstipationAcidityPain in abdomenLoose motions

…continued… Most commonly presented symptoms

include Anxiety

Tingling sensationGiddinessPalpitationsSweatingChest discomfort

Fatigue / Lethargy Headache/ body ache/ backache

DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS OF

DEPRESSION.

SUICIDE 90% of successful suicides have

previously expressed such intent to family members but had gone un-noticed

50% of all depressed patients have suicidal thoughts ~25% may actually attempt suicide ~5-10% are successful

Lazy BonesAlmost all depressed patients are

perceived to have become lazy and not willing to work So are tormented / commented upon

by family members Aggravates disease as patient may

experience a feeling of worthlessness Stimulate patient to harbor suicidal

thoughts

Work related problems Not reaching targets Decreased quality of work Mistakes in work Decreased initiative Frequent fights/ arguments over work

related adjustments

Aggravates existing health problems

Gastritis Asthma Hypertension Diabetes-mellitus Cardiac illness Allergies

Treatment-The BIGGEST

TABOO!

TreatmentIf you get fever you need an anti-pyretic, if you

get hurt you need a pain-killer. If you get an infection you need an anti-biotic. Similarly if you get clinical Levels of depression you need:

Anti-depressant medications(NEW AGE MEDICATIONS ARE SHORT TERM NON-

ADDICTIVE AND NON-SEDATIVE.) Supportive Therapy Psycho-therapy

POINTS TO REMEMBER Symptoms of depression can be easily picked

up by family members If detected and treated early clinical depression

is one disease where near 100 % recovery is assured.

If treated a person leads a better quality of life, improved work productivity as well as family relations.

Depression is not madness. We can save a life by preventing suicide

Dr.HEMANT MITTAL (MBBS, PG.DPM)www.mindmantra.in

Free counseling for emotional, behavioral, sexual problems

Contact at eksoch@gmail.com