Faridabad/ Alive News: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease (WHO, 2017). It is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. The Theme for World Health Day this year, 2017 is Depression: “Let’s Talk”. The theme is important as it is critical to bring the condition out of the closet and stir conversations around it. Over this, Dr Samir Parikh, Director Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Healthcare shares some key points on recognizing the early signs of depression and ways to tackle them.
Early symptoms:
Dr. Samir Parikh said that a depressive episode is characterized by a 2-week period marked by a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities. These symptoms could also be accompanied by significant weight loss, decrease or increase in appetite, sleep disturbances, low energy levels and fatigue. A depressed individual might experience feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, with a difficulty in concentration, difficulty in decision-making, and recurrent thoughts of death.
Who are affected ?
He said that according to WHO, over 5 crore Indians suffered from depression in 2015, and globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Men and women alike are affected by depression, though the nature of the stressors and the coping mechanisms adopted by them might tend to differ. Increasingly, more and more children and adolescents are presenting themselves with complaints associated with depression and low self-image. Regardless of age, gender or occupation, all individuals do experience low moods at many moments of their day-to-day life. It is therefore important to separate it from chronic symptoms.
Causes
He further said there is no single causative factor – various genetic, biological and psycho-social factors interact to play a role in the etiology of the illness. An imbalance in the regulation of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain is majorly correlated with depression across all ages. Many psychological and social stressors such as trauma, loss of a dear one, difficulties in relationships, life-challenges can be a trigger for a depressive episode, he added.
