Understanding and Addressing Depression: Signs, Treatment Options and Preventive Measures

What is it:

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can cause difficulty with thinking, energy level, eating, sleeping and carrying out daily routine activities. Depression prevents a person from leading a normal life and sometimes gives the feeling as if life is not worth living. Fortunately, it is treatable but may require long-term treatment. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

If a person experiences multiple of these symptoms over a period of time a doctor may diagnose them with Depression.

How to diagnose Depression:

To diagnose Depression, a Mental Health Professional may use a combination of methods including: Learn more about Mental Health Professionals.

• Clinical evaluation Includes a thorough assessment of the individual's symptoms, medical history and family history.
• Psychological assessment May involve the use of standardised questionnaires or assessment tools to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms and their impact on various areas of functioning.
• Medical tests To rule out other underlying conditions that contribute to depression.

Treatment options for Depression:

Treatment varies based on the severity of Depression. Medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes are often used in combination by specialists.

• Medication: Psychiatrists may prescribe antidepressant medicines to help alleviate the negative impacts of stress and improve mood. Do not self-medicate, miss or adjust doses independently.
• Psychotherapy (Talk therapy): Psychological treatment is where the person in distress is helped through talking with a trained and experienced therapist. Various forms of psychotherapy including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Psychodynamic therapy can be effective in treating depression.
• Other therapies: Like Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Role of Family and Friends:

The immediate family and close friends play an important role in identifying mental health issues in an individual. As a family member or friend, be watchful of changes in the person’s moods, behaviours and emotions. Early intervention is critical because mental health conditions often get worse without treatment. If you think you notice symptoms, take immediate help from specialists.

Lifestyle changes to manage Depression:

While it may not always be preventable, there are steps to reduce the risks of Depression:

• Maintaining a healthy sleep routine
• Managing stress with positive coping mechanisms
• Avoiding excessive alcohol and drug use as substance abuse can contribute to or make depression worse
• Practising regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga
• Regular mental health check-ups with a healthcare professional

Self-educating, seeking support, seeking timely treatment and fostering open conversations about mental health are necessary steps towards recovery. If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, dial 112 or on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In India, you can contact the mental health helpline Tele MANAS at 14416 OR 1-800 891 4416 available every day of the week and offering support in multiple languages.