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DEPRESSION

PAIN MEDICINE | VITUS CLINICAL SERVICES | BANGALORE

OUR EXPERTISE

Prioritizing mental health applies to each and every one of us. Mental health is a broad topic with many facets. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we feel, think, and act. If you struggle with mental health symptoms, you are not alone. While it may seem brave to go it alone, it actually takes strength to reach out for help.

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Overview
 

Depression is estimated to affect 350 million people worldwide. Not only does it affect the  person but their dependent families too. Despite several effective treatments, many do not seek help due to taboo or misinformation. Untreated and severe depression may lead to suicidal ideation with catastrophic outcomes. Nearly every thirteenth person in India runs a risk of developing an episode of depression during their lifetime. As per WHO, the average age of depression in India is 31.9 years. 

 

Unipolar depressive disorder includes major depression alone. It can vary from mild, moderate to severe. The other type having a combination of both depression and mania is termed bipolar mood disorders (also known as manic -depressive illness).  

Postpartum depression is the more serious manifestation in just delivered mothers, where symptoms include sadness or anxiousness through the day that often worsens in the evening; crying spells; low self-esteem; lethargy and sleeplessness. It affects one in every five new mothers in India. This is different to the postpartum blues. Depression may be seen in association with psychosis.

People with psychosis may hear "voices" or see things which others cannot hear or see (hallucinations) or they may have strong false beliefs or illogical ideas like possessed by evil (delusions). This form is known as psychotic depression. Seasonal affective disorder, which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. Recurrent depressive disorder, where the person has a history of at least two depressive episodes.

 

The causes of depression include complex interactions between social, psychological and biological factors. Life events such as childhood adversity, loss and unemployment contribute to and may catalyse the development of depression.

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