FAQs About Depression

Who gets depressed?

Depression is a common illness, which can affect anybody. Depression affects Women more than men.

What is depression?

It is not just feeling sad or feeling grief after a loss. Depression is a disorder like many other common diseases viz. diabetes, heart disease or blood pressure etc. which affects you continuously for days together and overwhelms your thoughts, behaviour and general health.

What are the causes of depression?

• Family history and genetics
• Other general illnesses
• Effects of medicines
• Alcohol or intoxicating drugs
• Psychiatric conditions
• Depression is not anybody’s fault or shortcoming. It may happen even when you are successful or well off. It is an illness, which can be duly treated.

How to identify a person having depressive disorder?

People suffering from depression will have several symptoms everyday for at least two weeks. There should be at least one of the following systems:

1. Loosing interest in things which you enjoyed till recently
2. Feeling of sadness or downright loneliness

Additionally, there should be at least three of the following symptoms:

• Feeling restless, slowed down or even unable to sit still for a little while
• A feeling of guilt or worthlessness
• Increase or decrease in weight or appetite.
• Thoughts of committing suicide or death
• Problems with regard to coherent thinking, decision making, remembering or in concentration on any matter whatsoever
• Disturbed sleep or too much sleep
• Always feeling tired

There are other psychological or physical symptoms may be present with depression as following:
Head aches and other aches or pains, digestive problems, sexual problems, pessimistic or hopelessness, always worried or anxious for nothing.

What to do in case of depression?

The patient should be checked by a doctor who will find our if there is any physical cause behind the depression and start treatment of depression and refer the case to mental health specialist.

What are the treatment for depression?

Major treatment for depression are: Antidepressant medicine (Zoloft), Psychotherapy or both simultaneously. In extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and light therapy may be used.