15 Important Facts you should know about Depression

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
Community
Mental Health and Wellbeing
SCARF Schizophrenia Exchange
PatientsEngage General Community
Condition
Cancer
Depression
Diabetes
Stress

Stories

  • Image: Stock pic of a bright healthy liver in the hands of a medical professional
    The Liver Is A Very Forgiving Organ, But Has Its Limits
    Dr. KR Vasudevan, Director Liver Transplantation, PSRI Hospital talks about the major risks for a liver disease and how to keep our liver healthy. Also, are herbs and supplements safe for the liver?  #WorldLiverDay Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Liver disease or MASLD (earlier called NAFLD) is the most common cause of Hepatic disease around the world. Why is that? Increasing opulence has brought about changes in life style. Availability of processed food and decreasing physical activity…
  • Image: Stock pic of a man sitting depressed, holding his head, next to a window
    Don't Be Escapist. Don't Be Angry
    Jack (name changed to protect identity) is a 60 year old man in Singapore who struggled with reactive depression and is now on the way to recovery. Background Jack was working and living a fairly uneventful life with his wife and 3 daughters, until an accident and surgery in 2006 left him with a hip problem that required him to stop working and undergo therapy sessions, plus put up with pain and restricted movement. Naturally this affected the family’s financial situation, but as his wife was…
  • Image: A stock pic of a man running on a road in purple shirts, greyish-purplish t-shirt, red shoes
    A Health Check Up Was His Lucky Charm
    A year ago, Anand (name changed to protect identity) might easily have been any of the quiet pleasant young corporate professionals that one meets at work, or one of the family men that one sees with their kids in a mall. Except, behind the normalcy and everydayness of his life, was a constant mental struggle that began in his early years. The Growing Up Years Growing up in a lower middle-class family, Anand felt that his parents’ roles were reversed, confusing him as a child. He saw his mother…
  • Image: Employees working out next to their desks
    The Healthy Break for Desk Bound Employees
    With ‘Sitting is the new smoking’ belief gaining ground globally, offices are beginning to introduce the workout culture to beat the health risks of a 9-5 desk job. Siemens, a European conglomerate and one of the largest industrial manufacturing companies, has started The Healthy Break in all its offices across India. PatientsEngage talks to Mr. S Ramesh Shankar, Head, Human Resources, Siemens. Working out in office is still a new concept in India. Your company, Siemens, is one of the few…
  • Mariyam with her father in a nice outside setting
    It Brought Perspective To My Father’s Illness and Its Impact On My Life
    Talking and writing about health related experiences is still not common in Asia.  This International Women’s Day, we reach out to three dynamic women who share their experience as patient or caregiver to understand their motivations. In the last part of the series, we feature Mariyam Raza Haider.   1)    Why did you choose to blog? My strongest reason for blogging was to bring perspective to my father’s illness and its impact on my life. As I began writing about…
  • A panel with a green ribbon and text saying Are women more at risk of kidney disease
    Women More at Risk for Kidney Diseases than Men
    On World Kidney Day, Dr Jayesh Lele, earlier National Secretary, Indian Medical Association, helps us understand why women are more likely to have an increased risk of kidney diseases than men. The theme for World Kidney Day 2018 is  ‘Kidneys & Women's Health: Include, Value, Empower’. It aptly highlights the importance of women’s kidneys health and the need to create awareness amongst women as well as give them equal access to healthcare all over the country. Researchers have shown…
  • Divya Parashar as she looks today
    It Takes A Lot Of Hard Work To Keep The Kilos Away
    Dr Divya Parashar, Head of Rehabilitation Psychology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, shares about her own battle with weight issues and how her loss of the extra kilos also invited flak. This is me, 12 years ago, when we were packing to return to India, and a few months after I had just turned 30 and started on a journey to regain my health by losing a whole lot of weight. Weight that was playing host to a few medical conditions: PCOD, Metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, pre-…
  • stock pic that says Behcet Syndrome and shows medical supplies
    Each Appearance Of An Oral Ulcer Gives Me A Panic Attack
    MHR, as she prefers to be referred to as, has been battling Behcet’s Syndrome, a rare auto-immune disease for the last 17 years. Having been through various stages of pain, depression and hopelessness, body image issues she has tried ayurveda and yoga, to get some relief. She is keen to spread awareness on auto-immune disorders and wishes that doctors not treat her as guinea pig. First diagnosis I was diagnosed with Behcet’s Syndrome in 2001, after an illness of over 6 months. I was 23 then. I…
  • Graphic image of a stethoscope on a tooth
    Uncontrolled Diabetes Increases the Risk of Dental Diseases
    Dr Paromita Ganguli, Senior Dental Surgeon with Fortis, Calcutta, explains the correlation between diabetes and dental care, and how the former, if not controlled, can affect dental health adversely. What are the most common oral health problems affecting persons with diabetes? The stomatognathic system comprising the oral cavity, the lining mucosa, the dentition, the periodontium supporting bone muscles and nerves are usually all affected with diabetes.  The most common diseases are:…
  • A child with cancer with his parents
    Seeing Our Child Suffer Is Never Easy
    Javed Khan and his wife describe their 14 year old son, Tavish’s journey with cancer - from diagnosis to treatment and the support they received from Accesslife. 5 months ago, Tavish started complaining of knee pain in his left leg. He was an avid hockey player and noticed frequent falls during a game and while riding his bicycle. Initially the pain was dismissed but soon it grew more intense and would be worse at night time. Tavish would often be unable to sleep all night due to the pain and…