Depression - Healing the Blues

We all go through the ups and downs of our everyday lives. There are times when we feel we can achieve a lot, do wonders, make the most of our potential, and then there are days when we consider ourselves complete failures, feel down in the dumps, and nothing seems to be going our way. Such is life, and this variety and unpredictability is its beauty. Having a low mood, feeling sad or even “depressed” is actually different from clinical depression. 

According  to  the  ICD-10  Classification  of  Mental  and  Behavioural  Disorders,  clinical  depression  is marked  by  the following three cardinal symptoms lasting for a period of at least 2 weeks:-

1.  Depressed mood
2.   Loss of interest and enjoyment
3.  Reduced energy leading to easy fatigability and diminished activity. 

In addition to this, other common symptoms could be  –  reduced concentration and attention, reduced confidence and self-esteem, ideas of guilt and unworthiness, bleak and pessimistic views of the future, disturbed sleep and appetite, and ideas of self-harm or suicide. 

Just like any other psychological illness, depression also could be due to a combination of bio-psycho-social factors. It is  a  very  common  illness  and  affects  1  in  every  3  persons  in  India  once  in  their  lifetime. Although  it  can  have  a recurring course, it is definitely treatable with anti -depressant medication, psychotherapy,  certain lifestyle changes  and Homoeopathy also . 

There are some things that you can do too to manage your mood.

STEPS TO BEAT DEPRESSION

• Maintain a routine. A structured day keeps the uncertainties and stress to the minimal. Moreover, it makes sure efficient use of your time. 
• Go for a walk or exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins, often called “happy hormones” which work as natural anti-depressants. 
• Engage more often in your favourite activities, hobbies or things that give you happiness even if it seems futile. The general rule of thumb that works in depression is-  THE MORE YOU DO, THE MORE YOU FEEL LIKE DOING. So, don't wait for your mood to get better before you do things that you enjoy. 
• Share your feelings and thoughts with people you are comfortable with. They might not be able to suggest a solution to your problem but you would feel much better. 
• Feel free to consult a mental health professional like a Clinical Psychologist who understands the condition well and has acquired professional training in dealing with such problems. Psychotherapy is very effective in treating depression and can help you deal better with the situation. 

         "Do not believe the things you tell yourself when you are sad and alone"