You often find people saying, “I feel depressed,” or “I am so sad.” Most of the time such terms only show a short phase of sadness. But when this sadness and negative feeling become prolonged for more than 6 weeks, then the person usually suffers from a mental disorder called depression.
People suffer from depression due to sudden loss, financial crisis, heartbreaks, work pressure, basically extreme stress. Or have depression for no reason at all. Sometimes victims of childhood abuse also suffer from depression and show signs of suicidal tendencies.
Signs Of Depression
You can see some signs of symptoms of a depressed person. These include feeling sad and filled with negative thoughts and feelings. Lack of concentration and loss of interest in daily activities. People tend to have appetite changes like extreme weight loss or gain and have trouble sleeping- either oversleeping or insomnia. The person feels worthless, tired, and can’t stay still or stays extremely still. Thoughts of suicide and attempts are done. People also resort to substance abuse as a method of coping with this mental illness.
According to 2017 Global Health estimates on Depression and other common mental health disorders by the WHO, 4.5 percent of the total population of India suffers from this disorder.
How To Treat Depression?
Treatment of depression depends on the degree of depression. If the person is suffering from mild depression, talking to a counselor is helpful. If the person has an extreme case of depression then seeking professional help from a psychiatrist is recommended. The temperament and support of family members are also important to give that person a supportive environment to heal.
Nowadays issues of mental health are openly talked about in India but still, prejudices and taboos are present. Mental health awareness needs to be spread and people suffering from such diseases should not be made to feel inferior. Medicines and therapy help in curing depression.
Check out this video to know more about this mental disorder.
