Depression

Depression is a sad occurrence. It afflicts a person in a painful way. The person not only loses the good health but also the self-esteem and confidence. A depressed person is not able to control own actions and thought processes. 

I have seen a few near and dear ones go through short but debilitating bouts of depression. Those bouts are perhaps the most difficult and dangerous phases of their lives. Dangerous because those phases caused extreme decimation of self-esteem and confidence. Persistent thoughts of danger and a disposition towards self-harm or self-neglect caused extreme anxiety among the friends and families. 

Weird way of looking at you, frequent hallucinations of people following or posing threat, imaginary stalkers or abusers, aversion of loved ones, suspicion and extreme anxiety beset  the patient. I have seen people suspecting infidelity of their spouses and other loved ones. The unprecedented and unexpected nature of behavior is a defining factor of this mental condition.

Fortunately, bouts of severe depression are short and usually easily treatable. A diagnosis of a close observation and a well-supervised mediation of a few weeks (usually a minimum of two weeks) can lead to full recovery. 

According to the article by American Psychiatric Association indicates a fact that this mental condition affects roughly 6% of adult every year and at least 16% of the population go through serious depression at least once in their lives. That shows it is not such an uncommon or taboo condition. However, since it is related to mental condition and a person's loss of usual personality for the worse, depression is generally taken as a taboo and a dangerous mental condition. Though it can be dangerous if left undiagnosed and untreated, it is easily treatable in most cases.

Depression is not something to be ashamed of or taken as taboo. It is a medical condition and even the most well-positioned, prosperous and happy person with full life can experience it. Hence, it is better to know the symptoms and start treatment on time. 

The major symptoms as listed in the American Psychiatric Associate article are:

• Feeling of sadness 
• Bad and depressed mood
• Trouble sleeping or too much sleep
• Loss of appetite or excessive appetite
• Loss of energy and rise in fatigue
• Feeling of worthlessness, guilty and low self-esteem
• Suicidal thoughts
• Increase in worthless or thoughtless physical activity such as walking, writing etc. 

Similarly, the modes of treatment include medication, psychotherapy and others. 

Depression is a common illness and is rising due to changing social norms, exposure, ambition, environment and peer pressure. It needs thorough understanding, empathy for the patient, careful diagnosis and well-observed mediation for timely and complete treatment. As it can attack anyone irrespective of social standing, success or wealth, it is better to be aware than be taken by surprise. 

Sunday 31 March 2019 (09:40 PM)