Defining Depression


Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression.
It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.

Diagnosing Depression
The depressive episode must last at least two weeks.
The episode cannot be attributed to the abuse of psychoactive substances or to an organic mental disorder.
Clearly abnormal depressive mood for the subject, present during most of the day and almost every day, which is altered very little by environmental circumstances and which persists for at least two weeks.
Marked loss of interest or ability to enjoy activities that were previously pleasurable.
 Lack of vitality or increase of fatiguability.
 Loss of confidence and self-esteem and feelings of inferiority.
Disproportionate self-reproaches and feelings of excessive guilt or inadequacy.

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide or any suicidal behaviour.
 Complaints about or decrease of the ability to concentrate and think
 Changes of psychomotor activity, with agitation or inhibition.
 Sleep alterations of any kind.
 Changes of appetite (decrease or increase), with the corresponding weight change.

Types of Depression :
Mild/Moderate/Severe
Unipolar Depression
Bipolar Depression
Dysthymia
Recurrent Depressive Disorder
Post –partum Depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Atypical Depression

How to cope with Depression :
Reach out and stay connected
Do things that make you feel good
Support your health (Sleep, Diet, Exercise, Relaxation)
Get a daily dose of sunlight
Challenge negative thinking
Care for pet
Avoid substance abuse
Get professional help
How to treat Depression
Medicines
Counseling/ Psychotherapy  (CBT,BT, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy etc.)
Lifestyle changes
Others

- ECT
- rTMS
Alternative therapy
Yoga/Accupuncture/Music /Art/others

TAKE  HOME MESSAGE
Accept Mental health problems & remove stigma
Talk about your Mental Health
Don’t be shy of asking for help
Learn about Depression to “ identify & help” people in need
Follow Healthy life style………..stay connected
Learn to deal with stress
Help each other

Article Compiled By:
Dr. Atmesh Kumar
M.B.B.S., M.D (Psychiatry)

Psychiatrist In Rohini
Psychiatrist In Pitampura
Psychiatrist in North Delhi