Swapreran Wellness Clinic

Depression is recognized as a mood disorder characterized by the prolonged feeling of sadness and loss of interest in otherwise regular activities.

The symptoms include:

• loss of sleep and appetite
• loss of interest
• persistent feeling of sadness and lowered self-esteem
• difficulties with eating
• difficulties with concentration or attention
• feelings of guilt and worthlessness

These symptoms should last for a minimum of 4 weeks for the individual to be diagnosed with depression. Sometimes, at its later stages, depression can also be accompanied by suicidal tendencies. Most people who are feeling depressed don’t experience every symptom, and the presentation of symptoms varies in degree and intensity from person to person.

Can it be cured successfully?

The short answer is yes. According to central council of homoeopathy and countless research has showed that depression is readily treated with homoeopathic medicine and short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy. For most people, a combination of the two works best and is usually what is recommended. Psychotherapy approaches scientifically proven to work with depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

What is the cause of depression?

The exact reason is not known to us but it is believed that the imbalance in trigger release of chemical system in brain is responsible for developing it. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine). Neurotransmitters are needed for normal brain function and are involved in the control of mood and in other responses and functions, such as eating, sleep, pain, and thinking. That’s the reason when a person suffers with depression; a lot of related functions get disturbed.

Why homoeopathy has a great therapeutic role in depression?

Homoeopathy medicine is given on the basis of person thinking, feeling, behavior, sleep pattern, eating behavior and mood. That’s why it is most appropriate to particular person in restoring the brain chemical balance. By restoring the brain’s chemical balance, the homoeopathic medicine help relieve the symptoms of depression. However, these are but short-term solutions to depression and don’t necessarily cure the individual completely. For the treatment to be effective, the drug intake must be combined with psychotherapy to solve the problem at the root level.

Advantages of using Homeopathy for Depression:

The best part of homeopathic treatment is that the homeopathic medicines are totally side effect free and its long-term use leads to no damage to the body. Homeopathic medicines also do not cause any sedation. The options in conventional treatments are either to take antidepressant medications or to remain depressed, however, homeopathic medicines are said to be side-effect free and its long-term use leads to no damage to the body. Homeopathic medicines also do not cause any sedation.

There are a lot of medications in homeopathy which are used, post understanding of the behaviour of a person; his/her complete biological and genetic status, his/her existing medical conditions. It is always recommended to consult a homeopath and not to go for self-medication, as it requires specific potencies of medicines for them to be effective on the medical condition.

Beyond Treatment: Things You Can Do​

• Try to be active and do exercise regularly.
• Set realistic goals everyday for yourself. Make a chart of it.
• Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative.
• Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.
• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately.
• Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced, or changing jobs until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.
• Continue to educate yourself about depression.

Note: Depression is a fairly common mental health disorder today, affecting a large population. Depression must be acknowledged as a proper mood disorder and not just a passing phase. It is completely curable with proper medicine and therapeutic sessions. The individual is able to move over the feelings of unhappiness and lack of interest with proper care and acceptance from loved ones in addition to therapy and the drugs, of course.

Suicidal thoughts are quite universal and commonly experienced by people undergoing severe stress. Suicidal ideations usually occur when a person feels that they are no longer able to cope, especially with an overwhelming situation. As these situations and thoughts are temporary; some do not carry it through, while others may be at a risk of attempting or committing suicide. Since the suicidal rate is increasing in today’s world; it becomes essential to identify the risk factors that are responsible for such behaviour and are given below:

1. Many times students tend to have a high self-set standard for themselves, when they are unable to achieve those, they feel like a failure.
2. In teenage or early adulthood academic pressure, workplace stress, social pressures, relationship concerns, and the lack of support systems are some of the reasons for suicidal ideation.
3. High expectations from parents also have an impact on the child’s psyche and may lead to emotional instability. Mostly, parents put greater emphasis on marks, which soon starts to define the self-worth of the child.
4. Children tend to take an extreme step because of stress, fear of being scolded from parents or unhealthy parenting style. Later, stress grows into frustration and in extreme conditions, it can even turn into depression.
5. The rise of suicide rate is due to urbanization and the disintegration of the traditional large family support system. As Indians become more progressive, their conservative households become less supportive of their choices pertaining to financial independence, marriage, premarital sex, rehabilitation and taking care of the elderly.
6. History of mental illness, substance abuse, violence, has a negative impact on the individual’s life and puts them at the very risk of suicidal tendency. The individual may be disposed to it directly or indirectly.
7. Individuals with a history of traumatic events where the individual has been emotional, physically, sexually abused or even bullied during the childhood, may develop a low self-esteem resulting in the feelings of worthlessness.
8. Breakup, infidelity or death of a loved one can also create a negative perception of life, causing the very feelings and thoughts of ending one’s life.
9. Deprived of family support, financially as well emotionally; death of a parent or adverse parent interaction also has a toll towards feeling empty or isolated.
10. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially when the individual is prone to devastating thoughts and feelings can increase the risk involved.
11. Suicidal ideation is a common symptom in many psychiatric disorders and mental health issues like Depression, Bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder etc.
12. Sometimes people get associated with peers having suicidal ideations, thus, identifying with them can push them at the risk of such behaviour.
13. Overwhelming situations like unemployment, financial losses or being in a debt can also cause an inability to cope with the life stressors and can have a negative impact on the individuals thought process.

What happens when you are addicted to a chemical substance? You lose control of your life. It doesn’t matter what you are addicted to alcohol, nicotine or drugs the effects are the same. It is usually not easy to get rid of an alcohol and/or nicotine addiction. Most people find it difficult to give up these substances even after years in de-addiction therapy. Hence, it’s prudent to let Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing handhold us in getting rid of addictions. 

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Perhaps this list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking for good! - Lowell Kleinman, M.D., and Deborah Messina-Kleinman, M.P.H?

Addiction - The Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda considers alcohol and nicotine consumed in large quantities as ‘Visha’ or toxic. According to Ayurveda, alcohol has the following properties-

1. Light or Laghu
2. Hot or Ushna
3. Sharp or Tikshna
4. Drying or Visada
5. Rough or Ruksha
6. Expensive or Vikaasa
7. Swift or Aasuga
8. Sour or Amla
9. Subtle or Sookshma

These properties are all opposite to the qualities that ojas possesses. Ojas has all life-giving properties and alcohol and nicotine have life-negating qualities.

Why do humans get addicted to alcohol and nicotine?
Human brain produces Dopamine normally and what alcohol does is to activate the nervous system to promote dopamine formation. The brain thus remembers the taste of alcohol and nicotine by creating special cells called receptor cells. As a person increases the quantity of alcohol, these cells also increase in numbers. When the person wants to give up his addictions these receptor cells agitate and create withdrawal symptoms with unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

De-addiction - Ayurveda Way
De-addiction treatments in Ayurveda comprise the following:

1. Purification therapies or Panchkarma: These are used for getting rid of all toxins present in the patient’s body. These must always be done under the supervision of an ayurvedacharya as they are quite potent. After Panchakarma, the patient is given vomiting therapy or Vamana, followed by purgative therapy or Virechana, Basti or enema therapy and administration of Nasya or nasal drops therapy. All these help in detoxifying the body and mind and prepare the patient for further de-addiction ayurvedic treatments like Rasayana therapies which nourish and strengthen the body after Panchkarma. For treatment of addictions, Rasayana treatments include changes in diet and use of oral herbal medicines both.
2. Herbal medicines used in de-addiction: A range of herbal medicines and their combinations are used in the treatment of addictive problems in Ayurveda and these are to be consumed orally. Ayurveda prescribes Chamomile and Ashwagandha in combination to heal the lungs. These help in cleansing lungs of smoke- related problems. Doctors also prescribe congestion relieving herbs like ginger and pepper mixed with honey or lemon. 

In addition, herbs to improve memory, concentration and to fight depression are also given. These are:

1. Shankhpushpi
2. Kanphool or dandelion
3. Brahmi
4. Ashwagandha

In addition, herbs to treat sleep disturbances like Jatamansi, Sarpgandha, Brahmi and Jaiphal are also prescribed. Since most addicts have impaired liver function, herbs that improve liver function like Aloe Vera, Punarnava, Long pepper, Kutki, Tulsi are given to revive the liver.