Educationals
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| Win Over Depression - Dr H S Dhavale I believe | |
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Depression is known to exist since ancient times, However it's incidence is on the rise due to the higher levels of stress in everyday living, low frustration tolerance and lack of social support. Depression is observed more in females than in males, that is because of certain stages in a woman's life. Like the premenstrual period, post-delivery and menopausal period are known to precipitate depression. Unfortunately, these are considered normal deviations and hence get neglected by the person suffering, family members and at times, even by doctors. |
| Depression is known to exist since ancient times, However it's incidence is on the rise due to the higher levels of stress in everyday living, low frustration tolerance and lack of social support. Depression is observed more in females than in males, that is because of certain stages in a woman's life. Like the premenstrual period, post-delivery and menopausal period are known to precipitate depression. Unfortunately, these are considered normal deviations and hence get neglected by the person suffering, family members and at times, even by doctors. Depression has both, emotional as well as physical symptoms. Physical symptoms represent almost all the systems in the body, like cardiac symptoms G.I.symptoms, genito-urinary symptoms etc. Since physical symptoms are more evident than emotional symptoms, the patient frequently visits doctors, investigating every symptom. By doing this there is not only monetary loss but loss of time as well. So a proper understanding of depression and guidance from a counsellor is essential. Patients who are unable to express their depression suffer in silence or turn to alcohol or sleeping pills for help. Suicide or harbouring suicidal feelings is a known complication of depression and may result in a permanent loss to the family and society. To avoid that, early detection and treatment is critical. Family members play a vital role in the identification and management of depression. I have written this book in a simple, easy-to -understand language without any medical jargon and am sure that it will help in the early diagnosis, adequate treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by depression, so as to be able to live a good and happy life. Dr.H.S.Dhavale M.D.,D.P.M. Professor and Head Department of psychiatry T.N. Medical College and B.Y.L.Nair Hospital Mumbai-400008. What is depression? Depression is a kind of illness. Feeling 'low' or 'down' lasts for sometime is common but when such a feeling for a very long period, then a person is most likely suffering from depression. Depressive illness is fairly widespread. Almost one in five people are affected by it, the world over. Depressive illness is known to exist for centuries. Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln also suffered from Depressive illness. In the Mahabharata Arjun too was afflicted by Depressive illness. But the incidence of depression is on the rise due to increasing stress and strain in life, and lack of social support. Depression is like the common cold of emotions.(80% to 90% of depressed people recover fully with the right medicines as prescribed by the doctor) Counselling and understanding depression by the person affected and their close friends and family members is the first step in winning over depression. What causes depression? There is no single cause for depression. It is caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Acute illnesses such as strokes or chronic physical illnesses can also precipitate depression. Some medicines used for treating blood pressure or long term use of steroids can also cause depression. In fact there is a chemical imbalance in the brain which results in depression. The 3 major factors known to play a significant role in its causation are hereditary, psychological and social. While the first two factors make a person vulnerable, the last triggers depressive illness. Hereditary If someone in the family is known to be suffering from depressive illness then their children are more prone to suffer from the same. An identical twin is at an even greater risk. Psychological Some of the common psychological causes of depressive illness are :
Financial losses or the loss or death of a significant person and also constant quarrels with family members or children not coming upto expectations can lead to depression. Is this also depression? Depressions by itself difficult to cope without proper medicines and counselling. Myths keep people away from seeking professional help. Pretending to feel fine does not drive away depression. If at all, gets worse. HAS BECOME LAZY When a depressed person exhibits such a symptom. The people around him respond by saying-give him more work and he will be OK. REALITY Loss of desire to work and suddenly becoming lazy is a symptom of Depressive illness. BAD OMEN AT WORK Possessed by a 'devil' or an 'evil spirit' hence a doctor cannot be of much help. REALITY There is no scientific proof of such occurrences. |
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