Depression

What is Depression?
Depression is the most common mental disorder. During depression one feels low, weak, lazy and sad. The sleep generally gets disturbed. Efficiency in work does down. Small problems look big. One develops lack of interest in life and work. One also develops bodily complaints like headache, vague pain in chest, difficulty in breathing, strange sensations in the body, lack of appetite, etc.
Every one of us gets sad at times, which is a normal part of human nature. This sadness becomes abnormal when it starts affecting your health adversely. One should suspect having depression when one develops the following symptoms.

Weakness, laziness without any physical cause
Lack of interest in work/life
Disturbed sleep
Vague pains in the body
Ghabhraht, tension, irritability
Sadness
Lack of appetite
Lack of enjoyment and self confidence
Small problems look big
Increased smoking or alcohol intake

What are the types of depression?
Two types of depression are there:
(a) Reactive Depression: It occurs in response to some personal loss like death of a dear one, failure in examination or financial difficulties, etc. It can also occur in anticipation of a stressful situation like exams.
(b) Endogenous Depression: It comes from within oneself where stress may or may not play any role. It is like getting hypertension.

Can depression be treated?
Yes. It is a treatable disorder. The treatment consists of antidepressants, tranquillizers and psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
A psychiatrist is the most competent doctor to treat your depression. If a psychiatrist is not available then consult your Family Physician / Medical Specialist / Neurophysician.

What is the duration of treatment?
The treatment by and large lasts for few months or may be a year or more. The stoppage of treatment depends upon many factors. The most important point is that you dont stop your treatment on your own. Let the treatment be stopped on the advice of your treating psychiatrist. The chances of reoccurrence of depression are much more if the treatment is stopped prematurely esp. in endogenous depression.