Are your occasional blues turning out to be frequent?

Although everyone feels a sense of sadness or blues now and then, in reaction to life's struggles, loss or injured self-esteem, it must be checked and corrected before it takes the upper hand.  Increased frequency of such feelings can lead to depression over time and may manifest in the form of hopelessness and despair.

A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2015 showed that one in five Indians may suffer from depression in their lifetime, equivalent to 200 million people. Due to the stigma associated with mental illness, lack of awareness and limited access to professional help only 10-12% of these sufferers seek professional help.

Neglected symptoms of depression can get worse over time, lasting extended length of time and prevent a person from leading a normal life. Seek help if you recognize the signs of depression in you, or in a loved one before it is too late. It is important to know that depression CAN be treated successfully.

Types of Depression

Minor depression: A person with this type of depression has symptoms for longer than two weeks at a time but does not meet the criteria for major depression.

Major depressive disorder (or major depression): A person with this type of depression feels a profound and constant sense of despair with accompanying symptoms like mood swings, persistent fatigue, hopelessness, despair, apathy, unending worry, indecisiveness etc. 

These symptoms can interfere with the person's ability to work, sleep, study, or eat, They will not be able to enjoy even activities that were pleasurable previously. This disabling type of depression may occur only once or several times in a lifespan.

Dysthymic disorder (chronic depression): This person with depression experiences a low mood on most days for a long period of time. Other depression symptoms may be present but are not as severe as in major depression.

Factors Causing Depression

Research suggests that a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in depression. It can occur along with other serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease, making these conditions worse and vice versa. Medications taken for these illnesses may also cause side effects contributing to depression symptoms. 

Depression may also result from various factors in a person's life, including:

• High stress levels
• Personal loss
• Physical illness
• Family history of depression
• Life transitions
• Hormonal imbalance that controls mood
• Certain medication
• Absence of social support
• Inability to cope
• History of traumatic experiences

Symptoms of Depression

• Extreme sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
• Feeling worthless
• Oversleeping or not sleeping
• Loss of energy
• Disinterested in pleasurable activities, once enjoyable.
• Poor concentration, thinking, or decision making ability
• Over eating or not eating ( weight gain or weight loss)
• Crying uncontrollably
• Headache
• Stomach ache or digestive problems
• Sexual problems
• Suicidal or thoughts about death.

If you know anyone demonstrating such warning signs, immediately contact a primary care doctor, a mental health professional, or go to the nearest emergency room for evaluation and treatment. Its best to take control of the situation and seek help before it gets out of hand.

“Dealing with Depression effectively is a mark, not of Weakness but of Strength”…Andrew Solomon