145;I146;m depressed!146;

DO you always feel you are no good? Have you stopped enjoying music, sports, TV and reading 8212; all that you might have liked earlier? Do...

DO you always feel you are no good? Have you stopped enjoying music, sports, TV and reading 8212; all that you might have liked earlier? Do you find yourself getting irritated at the slightest provocation? Is indecisiveness creeping into your life?

We all suffer highs and lows but if pessimism starts affecting relationships and performances at home and work, then sit up, you might need help.

When should I visit a doctor?
According to Dr S Ramesh, an assistant professor with the department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, if you observe the following signs for two consecutive weeks or more, you must see a doctor:

MYTHS AND FACTS

8226; Myth: ECT treatment or shock therapy destroys a person8217;s mental balance and is harmful.
8226; Fact: ECT is a perfectly safe form of treatment, the best for quick and drastic relief.
8226; Myth: Strong people can never get depressed, it is the forte of the weak.
8226; Fact: Depression is not a character flaw. Depressed people aren8217;t weak or failures. It is an illness like any other.
8226; Myth: Depression is nothing serious.
8226; Fact: This illness can cause great suffering, not only for the patient but for their family members, workers, friends and co-workers. It can even lead to death and suicide.

A profoundly low mood that refuses to lift despite trying. Listlessness, loss of interest, inability in concentrating, irritability, reduced sexual drive, marked fatigue, lethargy, crying spells over trivial matters, chronic pains in chest, back or stomach etc, increased palpitation, tremors, changed food and sleep patterns including waking up frequently, trouble going back to sleep, waking up earlier than usual or sleeping more than normal.

What role do family members play?
8216;8216;Family members often dismiss depression as laziness,8217;8217; says Dr Amritash Rai, senior resident in psychiatry at the G B Pant Hospital. Dr Kavita Arora, his colleague, says relatives should become alert if they note drastic changes in a person8217;s behaviour or if s/he has recurring morbid thoughts about death. Remember that a depressed person may not be motivated to get well; but the family can make a big difference. But depression can be contagious, so a person helping a depressive must remember to take time out for himself.

Why does depression occur?
Depression is a result of certain bio-chemical changes in the brain. The changes can be triggered by factors like stress, stroke, chronic physical illness. 10 per cent of the population is depressed at some point in their lives. 8216;8216;No age group is immune to it,8217;8217; says Dr Ramesh, saying that there are records of even a nine-month-old being treated for depression. 8216;8216;Women are, however, twice as affected as men, usually after mid-twenties.8217;8217;

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How is depression treated?
8216;8216;A combination of drugs and psychotherapy is the best,8217;8217; says Nimisha Kumar, psychologist, Department of Medicine, AIIMS. Kumar adds, 8216;8216;Depressed patients usually need to undergo some form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help them deal with faulty ways of thinking, feeling and behaving while they are on prescribed anti-depressant medication.8217;8217; Therapy is expensive and time-consuming, but effective, says Dr Ramesh. Drugs are cheap but should be taken under the watchful eyes of a psychiatrist.

The Last Word
8216;8216;If a person shows any of the above mentioned signs, consult a doctor immediately,8217;8217; says Dr Rai. Kumar adds, 8216;8216;Since the market is flooded with anti-depressants, patients are tempted to take over the counter drugs, but that is an absolute no-no.8217;8217; You must first recognise the illness in order to benefit from the treatment. And to know the illness, you have to be aware of the symptoms.