DEPRESSION TREATMENT & COUNSELING

Are you Depressed??

If you identify the following signs and symptoms, be CAUTIOUS, you may be suffering from clinical Depression and may require immediate depression.

• you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
• you can’t concentrate or find that previously pleasurable tasks are now difficult
• you feel hopeless and helpless
• you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
• you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
• you are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
• you’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior
• you have thoughts that life is not worth living

Therefore, if you are concerned, communicate with our doctors & get the depression treatment in Mumbai!!

If a formal evaluation is needed for diagnosis, it will be done by a comprehensive medical, developmental, educational and psychosocial depression therapy in Mumbai to help you to deal with it so that you can function productively in the social milieu and live to the fullest.
What is Depression??
Sadness or downswings in mood are normal reactions to life’s struggles, set-backs, and disappointments. Many people use the word “Depression” to ex-plain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, angry, aggressive, and restless. Whatever the symp-toms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense with little relief.

Age of Onset – Depression in men and women are highest under age range of 25-44 yrs.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. The more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression and require best depression therapy in Mumbai.

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Appetite or weight changes - Significant weight loss or weight gain
• Sleep changes - either insomnia or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia)
• Anger or irritability
• Loss of energy and interest in favourite activities
• Self-loathing - Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Reckless behavior
• Extremely sensitive to rejection or failure
• Poor school performance in children
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Suicidal ideations

What are the types of Depression?

Major Depression - characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms are constant ranging from moderate to severe.

Dysthymia (recurrent, mild depression)– most of the days you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood,

Bipolar Disorder - when Depression is just one side of the coin varying with recurrent manic symptoms.

Seasonal Affective Disorder - many people feel sad when summer wanes, but some actually develop depression with the season’s change and typically it comes on during the fall or winter months and subsides in the spring.

Postpartum Depression - It is a long lasting and more serious depression triggered in part, by hormonal changes associated with having a baby. Postpartum depression usually develops soon after delivery.

Comorbidity with other disorders – Majority of people with depression also suffer from Substance – related disorders, Panic disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Eating disorders, Borderline personality disorder

Biological Causes for Depression

Brain chemistry - Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Some of them are :-

Serotonin helps regulate sleep, appetite, and mood and inhibits pain. Research reports that some depressed people have reduced serotonin transmission. Low levels of a serotonin by - product have been linked to a higher risk for suicide.

Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure and may trigger anxiety and some types of depression.

Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.

Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition.

Areas of the Brain that are affected by Depression – The areas of the brain that are affected by Depression :-

• Amygdala: The amygdala is part of the limbic system, a group of structures deep in the brain that’s associated with emotions such as anger, pleasure, sorrow, fear, and sexual arousal. The amygdala is activated when a person recalls emotionally charged memories, such as a frightening situation. Activity in the amygdala is higher when a person is sad or clinically depressed.
• Hippocampus: The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and has a central role in processing long-term memory and recollection. The hippocampus is smaller in some depressed people, and research suggests that ongoing exposure to stress hormone impairs the growth of nerve cells in this part of the brain.

Treatment Approaches

The cause of depression helps to determine in choosing depression therapy in Mumbai. In most cases, the best depression counselling in Mumbai would involve a combination of social support, lifestyle changes, emotional skills building and professional help.

• Make healthy lifestyle changes
• Cultivate supportive relationships
• Build emotional skills – It can give you the ability to cope and bounce back from adversity, trauma, and loss. In other words, learning how to recognize and express your emotions can make you more resilient.
• Seek professional help - There are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medication, and alternative treatments. Besides, you can avail depression counselling in Mumbai from Mumbai Psychiatric Clinics.
  • Psycho Pharmacotherapy – Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs are all used in the treatment of depression. Psychiatrists prescribe many drugs like Imipramine, Amitriptylline, Nortriptylline etc from the class of Tricyclic Antidepressants(TCAs) , drugs like Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertaline etc. from the class of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) , drugs like Venlafaxine ,Desvenlafaxine , Duloxetine from the class of Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and antide-pressants from other classes.
  • Psychotherapy - It gives you tools to treat depression from a variety of angles and gives you skills and insight to prevent depression from coming back. Also it teaches you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and employ behavioral skills in combating depression. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way, what your triggers are for depression, and what you can do to stay healthy.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - It focuses on thoughts (cognitions) in addition to behaviors. It helps to identify and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that fuel your sadness. The person is taught to identify and correct their distortions of information processing and to challenge their underlying depressive thoughts and ideas.
  • o Interpersonal Therapy and Social skills building.

Classroom strategies for handling Depression

• Establishment of a caring relation with the child
• Express confidence in the child’s ability to be brave and overcome anxious feelings
• Help the child to discover his / her strengths
• Be aware of triggering events
• Include the child within a peer group whom he / she trusts
• Involve them in extra-curricular activities of school like selecting them for projects, telling them to read aloud and explain to the class, etc.
• Provide supportive emotional environment to learn adaptive coping strategies and effective emotional expression.

Causes and risk factors for Depression to be avoided

• Loneliness
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Sudden marked changes in the life of the child
• Family history of depression
• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Health problems or chronic pain

Protective factors for preventing Depression

• Get enough sleep
• Exercise
• Meditate regularly
• Regulate your blood sugar
• Eat healthy fats and cut down on sugar consumption
• Say “NO” to alcohol
• Eat foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids like fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts
• Manage your stress levels effectively
• Find passion in life.

Therefore, Depression is treatable; as it is always easier to make positive lifestyle changes by utilizing your strengths and building up your support system !!

References

• Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life – Carson, Butcher and Mineka
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th edition
• Depression symptoms and warning signs - Help guide
• What causes Depression – Harvard Health Publications
• Psychopharmacology of Depression, Steven Cole
• Depression Treatment – The Minds foundation