Depression specifically falls into the broader domain of mood disorders.
Mood disorders comprise a wide variety of mental health conditions characterized by significant alterations in an individual’s emotional state, ranging from periods of extreme happiness to excessive sadness or both.
Mood disorders affect a person’s ability to function in daily life, disrupting their relationships with co-workers, friends, and family.
Mood disorders include clinical depression (major depressive disorder), bipolar disorder, and dysthymia. This article will specifically focus on depression within the spectrum of mood disorders.
Depression is a multifaceted and complex mental health condition that affects millions of people globally. It is characterized by constant sadness, worthlessness, a profound sense of grief, and a lack of pleasure or interest in daily activities.
It also includes withdrawing oneself from friends, family, and society. People often divide depression into two categories: clinical depression, which necessitates treatment, and regular depression.
A variety of factors, including genetics, environmental imbalances in the brain, and psychological factors can cause depression. Common treatment approaches include therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustment, and focusing on the importance of seeking professional help.
Types of Depression
There are several types of depression.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
MDD, also known as clinical depression, is a type of mood disorder where people experience a persistent feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, which usually lasts for two weeks.
They also experience a change in sleep habits and a loss of appetite, along with feelings of guilt and suicidal thoughts.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD):
It also refers to dysthymia or chronic depression, where symptoms last for at least two years and can be mild, severe, or moderate.
The symptoms are similar to those of major depressive disorder, such as a depressed mood most of the day, isolation, fatigue, and low self-esteem, among other things. Still, they are generally milder than those of MDD.
Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder with episodes of both elevated mood, known as mania, and low mood, which is depression. These episodes can be mild (hypomania) or take an extreme form.
It impairs an individual’s sense of reality and may require specialized treatment. The risk of suicide in bipolar disorder is about 15 times higher in the general population than the rest.
Psychotic Depression:
These people have symptoms of depression as well as psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions.
Postpartum Depression:
Postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or after a child’s birth.
This happens primarily due to hormonal changes that can affect a woman’s mood. Symptoms primarily include mood fluctuations, irritability, and anxiety, which can last up to two weeks.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):
This happens during the onset of the menstrual cycle with symptoms such as fatigue, body pain, loss of appetite, and breast tenderness.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
SAD occurs at specific times of the year, particularly during the fall and winter months when there is less natural sunlight.
The disruption of the body’s internal clock primarily triggers it, affecting the levels of melatonin and serotonin that regulate mood and sleep patterns.
A typical Depression:
Atypical depression refers to a depressive disorder with atypical features such as a sudden experience of an increase in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, or extreme sensitivity to rejection.
A renowned treatment center in Delhi, NCR, Athena Behavioural Health, is the best in India, and it can treat these various mood disorders.
Causes of Depression
The common causes of depression are:
Biological Factors:
Abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which are known to regulate sleep, appetite, and mood patterns, can cause depression.
Psychological factors suggest that unresolved internal conflicts or negative thought patterns can lead to the development of depression. For example, low self-esteem or perfectionistic tendencies may be a major cause of concern leading up to depressive episodes.
Environmental Factors:
Early traumatic life experiences or an unhealthy atmosphere at home may lead to depression.
Additionally, chronic stress from relationships, financial problems, and the loss of a loved one, among others, without any coping mechanism, can also trigger depressive episodes.
Medical Conditions:
Certain medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke, can increase the risk of developing depression. At the same time, certain medicines can also trigger depressive symptoms.
Genetic Factors:
A family history with depression can increase the likelihood of developing a depressive disorder.
Symptoms of Depression
In India, treatment is available for common symptoms of depression, which can vary in intensity and chronicity.
Intense experience of sadness or hopelessness.
One may isolate themselves or withdraw from those around them.
Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
Being easily frustrated or irritated.
Insomnia or hypersomnia.
Loss of appetite leads to weight loss.
There are physical problems like stomach aches or headaches.
Suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of self-harm.
Treatment for Depression: Pros and Cons
Treatment of depression entails a combination of therapeutic techniques aimed at addressing the symptoms and underlying causes, as well as promoting overall well-being.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. It provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment that helps the individual identify the negative thought pattern, develop coping mechanisms, and improve decision-making skills.
However, psychotherapy can be extremely time-consuming and costly, with sessions lasting anywhere from weeks to months.
Medication:
Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and others, can help an individual regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain, which can provide relief from the symptoms.
It can provide quicker relief, often within weeks. However, it can cause numerous side effects, including weight loss or gain, and only provides temporary relief from symptoms.
Abruptly stopping medicines can also result in withdrawal symptoms or relapse.
Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Practices:
Regular meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help one manage stress and reduce depression symptoms.
It can also enhance the mood by increasing self-awareness and improving emotional well-being. However, these practices require consistency and commitment to experience lasting benefits.
Electroconvulsive Therapy:
When depression treatment fails to produce any results, we recommend Electroconvulsive therapy. It causes rapid changes in emotion, as well as certain side effects such as memory loss or confusion.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a technique that involves focusing on negative thought and behavior patterns and changing them to positive ones.
CBT is structured and goal oriented but it may not always be effective for everyone. The therapy’s success depends on individual differences.
Other methods for treating depression are lifestyle changes such as adapting to a healthy lifestyle like regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding alcohol and drugs, which can ease the symptoms of depression.
Additionally, a supportive environment at home and at work can help individuals with depression.
Athena Behavioural Health is a prominent treatment center in Delhi, NCR, that provides the above-stated therapeutic methods and helps the individual get back to normalcy in life.
They also work for people living in Gurgaon or neighboring areas.
Best Depression Treatment Centre in Delhi, NCR
Athena Behavioral Health is an eminent treatment center in Delhi, NCR, specializing in mental health and psychological and emotional well-being.
They offer a spectrum of treatment plans addressing the root causes of depression or mood disorders. They provide evidence-based therapies, medications when necessary, and holistic strategies to support the individual during the recovery process.
Their team consists of experienced psychiatrists, counselors, and psychologists who work closely with their clients and provide personalized care to individuals seeking treatment for depression in and around Delhi, NCR. To contact Athena Behavioural Health, dial +91 9718921212 or email customercare@athenabhs.com.
FAQ
How does psychotherapy help to treat patients with depression?
Psychotherapy helps to identify and change negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors into positive ones, thereby reducing the symptoms of depression.
How long does it take to cure a person of depression?
The treatment widely varies from weeks to months depending on individual differences, therapeutic techniques, medications, and lifestyle changes.
What are the supportive roles that family members can provide for a patient with depression?
Family members can provide emotional support, help with daily tasks, create a low-stress environment, and encourage treatment effectiveness, which can help cure the patient with depression.
What is the chance of a recurrence or relapse of depression in a patient who has already recovered?
The chance of recurrence or relapse is extremely high, ranging from 50 to 85%, with patients experiencing another episode of depression at some point in their lives.
Is depression the same as sadness?
No, sadness is a natural and temporary experience of negative emotion that everyone may come across in response to a stimulus. Depression, being a medical condition, necessitates comprehensive care.
Also Read:
Men Also Experience Postnatal Depression
Why are certain groups more prone to depression?
Wake Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Depression
7 Effective Tips to Cope with Loneliness to Prevent Depression
