Skip to main content
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 4 April 2017

The theme of the World Health Day 2017 is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’. Encourage people with depression to talk about their feelings. Depression can easily be treated with psychological therapies and medicines. Learn about these and some other basic information on depression issued in public interest by SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation).

The wounds of depression are unseen, but they hurt more than the ones that bleed. Seek professional help and get better.

Facts about Depression

  1. Depression is the commonest disorder of the mind and affects people of all age groups.
  2. It is caused by imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
  3. Stress plays a major role in this disorder.
  4. Feelings of sadness for over 2 weeks without a clear reason, with changes in sleep, appetite, energy and interests, and difficulty in performance at work/school are signs of depression.
  5. It is very different from usual mood swings that occur in everyday life.
  6. Unexplained physical symptoms like persisting aches and pains in one or more parts of the body (eg: headache, backache), palpitations, chest pain and gastric symptoms can be signs of depression.
  7. Women of all age groups are more prone for depression and exhibit more physical symptoms.
  8. Depression is very common in people with chronic physical problems like cancer, diabetes, cardiac ailments, thyroid problems, etc.
  9. Persons with depression can feel hopeless and worthless and may wish to end their lives.
  10. A large number of suicides are the result of underlying depression
  11. Alcohol abuse/dependence can cause depression and also be an effect of depression.
  12. It can be easily treated with medicines, psychological therapies, cognitive behavior therapy and life style modifications
  13. Talking to someone who cares will help. Do not hesitate to seek professional help if needed.
  14. If it is not treated, depression affects quality of life adversely.
  15. Healthy food habits, adequate sleep, regular physical exercise, hobbies, good socialization, and avoiding smoking and drinking can reduce the risk of depression significantly and also help recover from it.

Issued in public interest by SCARF [SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION(I)]

Changed
04/Apr/2017

Stories

  • Tips to manage diabetes - an interview with Dr Piya Ballani Thakkar
    Webinar: How To Manage Diabetes Effectively During Covid-19 Pandemic
    A webinar with Dr. Piya Ballani Thakkar, consultant endocrinologist and diabetelogist was held on 3rd April 2020 for all patients who are living with Diabetes. It address several questions on what people with this condition can and should do during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown period. Click on the video link below to listen to the entire webinar. How is COVID different from other viruses? We know that this is a respiratory virus which has a high transmission rate i.e. it travels faster…
  • How to manage cancer and chemotherapy during covid 19
    Managing Cancer During Covid19 Lockdown - A webinar
    On 27th March, 2020 PatientsEngage spoke with Dr. Vinay Deshmane,  Consultant in Surgical Oncology & Breast Diseases and Medical Director and Jnt. Hon secretary of the Indian Cancer Society on the challenges faced by cancer patients during the lockdown period.   Here are the key points from the webinar. Click here to listen to the entire webinar.       Cancer treatment should be continued in consultation with your Oncologist because cessation of…
  • Building Emotional Resilience For Persons With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities
    Emotional Resilience for Persons with Disabilities and persons with chronic conditions with Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychologist Divya Parashar. This was in the context of the COVID pandemic but there are lessons in there for all times. We talked about What is emotional resilience Anxieties faced by people with disabilities What is psychological resilience What makes people resilient How to build psychological resilience Effects of suspension of therapy due to covid How to overcome…
  • Managing Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment
    Cancer therapies such as Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery to the head and neck area as well as Bone Marrow Transplantation can cause various oral complications and dental issues like caries, fungal or bacterial infections, bleeding gums, loss of teeth, dry mouth, oral ulcers, etc. To minimize these complications, a thorough oral assessment before, during and after the completion of treatment is imperative. Dr. Meghana Maruthi guides us through these care pathways that all cancer patients…
  • Are Sleep Disturbances Indicative of Mental Illness?
    Sleep disorders may make a person more vulnerable to psychiatric illnesses, intensify the severity of the symptoms points out Dr Nileena N.K.M, Specialist in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, and stresses the importance of better sleep for better life. Plus Tips For Good Sleep. What is the correlation between mental health and sleep? Sleep and mental health go very much hand in hand in our day to day life. Many of the psychiatric illnesses are seen to be associated with sleep complaints and…
  • 9 Tips For Pregnant Women To Ensure Good Sugar Control During Covid-19 Lockdown
    Dr. Uma Ram, Director and OBGYN Seethapathy clinic and Hospital, Chennai shares tips for pregnant women to follow to ensure good sugar control, especially in times of Covid-19 lockdown which has restricted movement and is stressful. One in five pregnant women we see have gestational diabetes or high sugars in pregnancy. A lock down can cause problems for them because they may not be able to exercise, get enough veggies or access blood tests. Here are a few tips to ensure good sugar control…
  • A young woman Shweta Chawre in a black sweater and jeans looking back at the camera as she walks away
    बचपन में हुए कैंसर से निपटने की ताकत मुझे प्यार, साहस और कार्टून बनाने से मिली!
    एनिमेटर और ग्राफिक डिजाइनर श्वेता चावड़े को किशोरावस्था में ओस्टियोसारकोमा कैंसर स्टेज 2 का निदान मिला। यह एक ख़तरनाक आक्रामक किस्म का हड्डी का कैंसर है। श्वेता अपने जीवन के उस दौर को याद करते हुए दस साल से कैंसर मुक्त होने का कृतज्ञता और आशावादी भाव से जश्न मना रहीं हैं। सन् 2008 की गर्मियों के दिनों की बात है। मैं 15 साल की थी और मैंने अभी-अभी एसएससी बोर्ड की परीक्षाएं पूरी की थीं। एक दिन मेरे घुटने में मामूली सा दर्द होने लगा -- ऐसा कुछ नहीं था जिससे मुझे लगे कि यह किसी भी तरह की बड़ी बीमारी…
  • Dealing With The Emotional Aspect Of Diabetes Is The Most Difficult
    Vedashree, a 23 year old from India was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the age of 15. It changed her life completely and it took her time and effort to deal with the emotional aspects, the guilt and self pity. Read her journey of acceptance and moving forward. How would you like to introduce yourself? I am a 23 early jobber living with my parents and my grandmother with dreams and aspirations to study far away from home! Please tell us a bit about your condition - when were you diagnosed,…
  • कार्डियाक रिहैब से मुझे फिर से अपना जीवन जीने में मदद मिली
    ह्रदय की गति का रुक जाना, वॉल्व का रिप्लेसमेंट या हृदय की सर्जरी के बाद हृद्य को सुदृढ़ करने के लिए कार्डियाक रिहैबिलीटेशन अत्यंत लाभकारी और जीवन को बदल देने वाली प्रकिया है। 71 वर्षीय श्रीकांत शाह अपने कार्डियाक रिहैबिलीटेशन कार्यक्रम के अनुभव को याद करते हैं कि कैसे वे अब सीढ़ियां चढ़ जाते हैं और उनकी सांस भी नहीं फूलती है। मैं कई सालों से हृदय रोगी हूं और मेरे परिवार में हृदयरोग पहले से चलता आ रहा है। हाल ही में दिल का दौरा पड़ने के बाद मेरी बाईपास सर्जरी हुई और एऑर्टिक वॉल्व बदलना पड़ा।…
  • A poster that says Congenital Heart Disease
    My Baby Had A 11 Hour Surgery For Congenital Heart Disease
    A diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease can be earth-shattering for a new mom. A mother shares the series of corrective surgeries her young baby has to go through, the effect this diagnosis had on her and the family and how she has dealt with it. Initial Symptoms 2 days after my son was born, I turned to my husband and said “ I have never been happier in my life!” Little did I know my joy was going to hit a major speed bump less than 24 hours later. The paediatrician who was part of my labour…