Depression – SP Medifort Hospital

Depression Treatment

Depression Treatment in Trivandrum

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious mental health condition that affects thinking, mood, behavior, and physical health. It goes beyond normal sadness or temporary low mood and can interfere with daily life, work, relationships, and physical well‑being. Symptoms usually last most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of depression?

Symptoms of eczema include:

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping).
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
Low energy and fatigue.
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Being easily irritated or frustrated.
Having a difficult time concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.

Different types of depression

The symptoms of depression can vary widely from person to person. To better understand the type of depression someone has, doctors may identify specific features, called “specifiers.” These help describe how
depression shows up in each individual:

Anxious distress: Feeling unusually restless or worried, often about potential events or losing control.
Mixed features: Experiencing symptoms of both depression and mania at the same time, such as high energy, talking rapidly, or inflated self-esteem.
Melancholic features: Severe depression where things that used to bring pleasure no longer do. Often accompanied by early-morning awakening, worse mood in the morning, changes in appetite, guilt, agitation, or slowed movements.
Atypical features: Some moments of temporary cheerfulness in response to positive events, increased appetite, oversleeping, sensitivity to rejection, or a heavy feeling in the arms or legs.
Psychotic features: Depression accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, often involving feelings of personal inadequacy or negative thoughts.
Catatonia: Marked by unusual movement patterns, either uncontrollable and purposeless activity or a fixed, rigid posture.
Peripartum onset: Depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks or months after giving birth (postpartum).
Seasonal pattern: Depression that arises or worsens during certain seasons, often linked to reduced sunlight expos

What causes depression?

The exact cause of depression isn’t fully understood, but it’s likely a combination of several factors:

Biological differences: People with depression often show subtle physical changes in their brains. While the exact significance isn’t clear, studying these changes may eventually help explain why depression develops.
Brain chemistry: Naturally occurring brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, play a key role in regulating mood. Changes in how these chemicals function and interact with brain circuits may contribute to depression and influence how treatments work.
Hormones: Shifts in hormone levels can trigger or worsen depression. This can happen during pregnancy, after childbirth (postpartum), menopause, thyroid problems, or other medical conditions.
Inherited traits: Depression tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Researchers are still working to identify the specific genes that may be involved.

Diagnosis of Depression

Your doctor or mental health professional may diagnose depression using a combination of approaches:

Physical exam: Your doctor may check your overall health and ask about any medical conditions, since sometimes depression can be linked to physical health issues.
Lab tests: Blood tests, such as checking your thyroid or a complete blood count, may be done to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Psychiatric evaluation: A mental health professional will talk with you about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You may also fill out questionnaires to help describe your experiences.
DSM-5 criteria: Clinicians often use guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine if your symptoms match the patterns of depression.

Depression risk factors

Depression often arises from a combination of personal, biological, and environmental factors:

Personal/Psychological: Low self-esteem, perfectionism, a history of mental health issues, or exposure to trauma and stress.
Biological/Health: Family history of depression, chronic illnesses, certain medications, or substance use.
Hormonal/Life Stage: Pregnancy, postpartum period, menopause, or other hormonal changes; more common in women.
Social/Environmental: Social isolation, loneliness, unemployment, financial stress, or difficult living conditions.

Treatment options available for depression

Common Treatments Include:

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy): Talking with a mental health professional can help you understand and manage difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most common type, but therapy can be short-term or continue for months or even years, depending on your needs.

Medication: Antidepressants can help balance brain chemicals that affect mood. Finding the right medication may take time, and some medicines have side effects, which often improve over time. If side effects persist, your doctor can help adjust your treatment.

Complementary Approaches: These are additional therapies used alongside standard treatment to improve well-being. Examples include acupuncture, massage, meditation, or biofeedback, which may help with mild or ongoing symptoms.

Brain Stimulation Therapy: For severe or treatment-resistant depression, brain stimulation therapies can be helpful. These include Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).