Mental Health and Wellbeing

Types of depression Severity can vary from person to person.  Severe depression is when almost all of the nine symptoms mentioned above are present. Symptoms will markedly interfere with your normal functioning. Moderate depression is when more than 5 symptoms mentioned above are present. Normal functioning is impaired between mild to severe.  Mild depression is when 5 or fewer symptoms of those mentioned above are present. Normal functioning is mildly impaired.  Complications of…

While there are no tests for diagnosing depression, doctors may administer a questionnaire to determine if the condition is depression. Doctors may also prescribe lab tests to determine if the depression is caused due to some other underlying illness.  Head trauma Central nervous system tumors Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Stroke Multiple sclerosis Syphilis Some cancers 

Treatment varies based on the severity of Depression Severe or moderate depression Antidepressant medicines: These are commonly used to treat moderate or severe depression. Antidepressants can take 2-4 weeks before the effect builds up fully. The newest and most popular antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The following are examples:  Fluoxetine Sertraline Escitalopram Paroxetine Citalopram Psychological (Talking) Treatments Cognitive behavioural…

Clinical Depression can not be prevented. Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and take time out for fun and relaxation. These will help you prevent a depressed mood. However if the depressed mood continues for more than 2 weeks, do see a doctor.   

Apart from getting the right treatment, you should also follow these suggestions to manage depression:  Food and nutrition There is no specific diet for depression but evidence suggests that good nutrition is essential for our mental health and number of mental health conditions may be influenced by dietary factors. Do eat regularly even if you do not feel like eating. Try to eat a healthy diet that includes the following:  Lots of nutrients to keep the body functioning optimally…

Thomas Insel, the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, announced he would be joining the growing ranks of Google Life Sciences. Insel has served as NIMH's director for 13 years. He wrote in his statement,  "The [Google Life Sciences] mission is about creating technology that can help with earlier detection, better prevention, and more effective management of serious health conditions. I am joining the team to explore how this mission can be applied to mental…

Depression can manifest itself in many different ways. Learn to recognise signs of depression in a friend or a family member.  Counsellor Animitra Ghatak shares the surprising signs of depression and how you can help.   Depression is a mood disorder that may affect any of us at some point in our lives. This can be triggered by setbacks in life, bereavement or a chronic illness. Depression is not just about feeling sad or down. It affects the mind and the body. It…

By family practitioner and paediatrician Dr Gita Mathai. How much sleep we need, the best time to go to bed, effects of sleep deprivation and how to improve your sleep practice.  How much sleep do we really need? We actually sleep away one third of our lifetimes. In infancy, a baby may sleep anywhere from 14-17 hours a day. Their sleep requirements are not controlled by outside forces like light, sound or work. So, babies sleep as much as their body needs. As age increases, the number of…

You can try some of our self help steps listed here http://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/12-tips-help-relieve-anxiety-and-depression. But if that does not help, please consult a specialist listed below Your support team: Who can help General practitioner Psychologists and psychiatrists Mental health nurse practitioners Social workers in mental health Occupational therapists in mental health Counsellors Complementary health practitioners Other specialists as required

Anxiety disorders respond very well to treatment and often in a relatively short amount of time. The specific treatment approach depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its severity. Mild symptoms may be relieved with lifestyle changes (eg regular physical exercise) and self-help (eg online e-therapies). Where symptoms of anxiety are moderate to severe, psychological and/or medical treatments are likely to be required. But in general, most anxiety disorders are treated with behavioural…