Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a prevalent mental illness affecting 15-20% of the population, with women being more susceptible than men. It results from biological changes in brain chemistry and can be triggered by genetic, personality, and environmental factors. Successful treatment includes antidepressant medications and supportive therapy, with early detection leading to high recovery rates and improved quality of life.

1. Depression!!! A Treatable Mental illness By- Dr.Hemant Mittal (MBBS, PGDPM) Mind-trainer – Counselor – Neuro-Psychiatrist www.mindmantra.in

2. Depression Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is the most common mental disorder 15-20% of general population Twice as common in women than in men: 20 % of women and 10% of men, suffer from depression at least once in their lifetimes

3. What Is Depression? Disorder of Mood Normal people experience a wide range of moods In depression There is a sadness of mood that varies little from day to day and remains through out. Feeling of great distress Sense of control over moods swings is lost

4. Who Can Get Depression? Depression has been proved to be a biological state occurring due to change in levels of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This is biological state is caused by: Genetic predisposition / Hereditary Factors: People will with family history of severe depressive episodes are at higher risk to fall prey to even minor life stress.

5. … continued… Personality Factors Environmental stressors Work stressors Family problems Medical disorders Financial stress

6. Symptoms and Signs

7. Signs And Symptoms… Like any other medical disorder it, years of research through MRI, CT scans, psychoanalytical testing has found certain parts of the brain to be having a decreased functioning during episode of depression. This creates common mind-body disturbances that help in diagnosing clinical depression.

8. … Continued… The most common signs and symptoms are: Depressed/ sad/ anxious mood (feeling low) Loss of sleep/ loss of appetite Weight loss Lack of self confidence/ Indecisiveness Loss of interest in usual activities

9. … continued… Decreased interest in sex or sexual pleasures. Crying spells Negative expectations from self/ people Increased dependency Recurrent thoughts of death/ expressed suicidal thoughts/ attempts

10. … Body symptoms include.. Most commonly presented :- GI disturbances Constipation Acidity Pain in abdomen Loose motions

11. … continued… Most commonly presented symptoms include Anxiety Tingling sensation Giddiness Palpitations Sweating Chest discomfort Fatigue / Lethargy Headache/ body ache/ backache

12. DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION.

13. SUICIDE 90% of successful suicides have previously expressed such intent to family members but had gone un-noticed 50% of all depressed patients have suicidal thoughts ~25% may actually attempt suicide ~5-10% are successful

14. Lazy Bones Almost all depressed patients are perceived to have become lazy and not willing to work So are tormented / commented upon by family members Aggravates disease as patient may experience a feeling of worthlessness Stimulate patient to harbor suicidal thoughts

15. Work related problems Not reaching targets Decreased quality of work Mistakes in work Decreased initiative Frequent fights/ arguments over work related adjustments

16. Aggravates existing health problems Gastritis Asthma Hypertension Diabetes-mellitus Cardiac illness Allergies

17. Treatment- The BIGGEST TABOO!

18. Treatment If you get fever you need an anti-pyretic, if you get hurt you need a pain-killer. If you get an infection you need an anti-biotic. Similarly if you get clinical Levels of depression you need: Anti-depressant medications (NEW AGE MEDICATIONS ARE SHORT TERM NON-ADDICTIVE AND NON-SEDATIVE.) Supportive Therapy Psycho-therapy

19. POINTS TO REMEMBER Symptoms of depression can be easily picked up by family members If detected and treated early clinical depression is one disease where near 100 % recovery is assured. If treated a person leads a better quality of life, improved work productivity as well as family relations. Depression is not madness. We can save a life by preventing suicide

20. Dr.HEMANT MITTAL (MBBS, PG.DPM) www.mindmantra.in Free counseling for emotional, behavioral, sexual problems Contact at eksoch@gmail.com