Summer, a time associated with fun-filled days in the sun, going to amusement parks and jolly vacations is not always as it looks. Research has proven that several people tend to face SAD or Seasonal affective Disorder during the summers. Although SAD is usually seen in the colder months of winter, a small fraction of people may also experience depressive episodes during the months of summer. The cause may be rooted in biological factors or body issues, disruptive routines, the heat, financial worries or any other personal issue. Depression is a condition that needs evaluation and treatment by a psychiatrist and symptoms should not be ignored at any cost. In addition to your doctor’s advice, here are some ways you can revitalise yourself this summer, beat the blues and overcome the horrid Summer Depression!
The summer season can be strenuous. The overwhelming need to complete all your pending tasks while making plans with your friends can leave you with no time for yourself. Use these easy tips to fight the summer depression.
Never hesitate to seek professional help if you experience symptoms like low mood, sadness, irritability, weakness, hopelessness, disturbed sleep and diet patterns for 2 weeks or more. We hope this summer season you can work on breaking through the summer depression and make memories that you love and cherish through these wonderful tips!
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Depression is a mental health disorder that induces a lasting feeling of sadness and loss of pleasure or interest in activities once enjoyed. It is a common yet debilitating condition, which can affect a person’s physical and emotional well being, and interfere with one’s daily functioning.
How prevalent is depression? A report on depression published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing claimed that an estimated one out of every 20 adults suffers from depression1
Does depression affect a specific age group? Depression can set in anytime and affect anyone regardless of age and gender. However, on average, it appears first during the late teens or mid-20s. Moreover, the specific mood disorder is more prevalent in women than in men.
Depression is an ongoing problem rather than a passing phase. Depressive episodes may last for about two weeks or more. Sometimes, the condition may persist for several months, weeks, even years.
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person. Different people – men, women, and children – may experience them differently. Nevertheless, the most common symptoms of depression include the following –
The above symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on the person’s condition and its causes.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment most commonly used in patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments, depression with suicidal tendencies or psychotic symptoms are found to benefit from such treatments.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Even though the exact cause of depression is not clearly understood, medical experts suggest that a combination of biological, environmental, psychological, and emotional factors may lead to depressive symptoms. The probable risk factors/causes of depression may include –
Depression often runs in families. If you have someone in your family – a parent, sibling, or a close relative – who has been diagnosed with depression or some other mood disorder, then chances are that you will develop the condition at some point in your life. For instance – if one of the identical twins has depression2, the other one has an increased 70% chance of having the same illness.
Changes in certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) may trigger signs of depression in a person.
A person with a history of alcohol or drug misuse is at a greater risk of developing symptoms of depression. This may happen when the person gives up on the use of these substances, thereby triggering withdrawal symptoms and most definitely causing depression.
Some specific and chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and others may be linked with higher chances of having mood disorders, like depression. Sometimes, certain medications can also trigger symptoms of the condition.
Continuous exposure to neglect, abuse, poverty, or violence can put some people at risk of depression.
People, who have low self-esteem, are typically pessimistic, or are easily overwhelmed by stress, are more susceptible to mood disorders, like depression.
Also Read: Navigating Bipolar Disorder: How a Person With Bipolar Thinks
Fortunately, depression is among the most treatable of mental illnesses. An estimated 80-90% of people with clinical depression respond well to treatment while almost all patients can manage their symptoms.
The following approaches/methods are used to treat depression –
Antidepressants are the most commonly used medications when it comes to treating mood disorders. These medications can alleviate the symptoms of depression and prevent its recurrence. Antidepressants work by modifying one’s brain chemistry. A person taking antidepressants may notice some improvement within a week or two of its use. However, it may take up to three months for the condition to recover. The most common types of antidepressant medications include SNRIs, SSRIs, MAOIs, and TCAs. Doctors usually recommend taking the medications for at least six months after the symptoms have improved, as it reduces the risk of future episodes for people at high risk.
It is important to let your doctor know if the medication does not work. These medicines should only be taken if you have an established disorder, under medical supervision. However, in case you experience some side effects, be sure to inform your healthcare provider of the same.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can be used alone for treating mild depression, or can be given along with antidepressants to treat moderate to severe depression. The therapy includes various methods like Interpersonal therapy and Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on altering the thought process and behavioural pattern of the individual through close, face-to-face interaction.
Psychotherapy may involve either the individual or many others. Based on the severity of the depression, treatment may take a few weeks or more. Significant improvement may be observed following 10-15 therapy sessions.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a conventional procedure that is commonly used to treat people, who have bipolar disorder or major depression. This line of treatment is followed when the patient does not respond to medications or psychotherapy. The procedure involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anaesthesia. ECT is given to patients 2-3 times a week for a total of 6-12 treatments.
Depression has several forms or categories, depending on the causes and severity of the symptoms. The most common types of depression are described below –
Major depressive disorder, also known as unipolar or clinical depression, refers to the condition where an individual experiences a constant feeling of hopelessness, sadness or despair, and loses interest in various activities that once seemed enjoyable and pleasurable. How long do major depressive episodes last? Episodes of major depression typically continue for about two weeks or more.
As the name suggests, dysthymia or persistent depression is a chronic form of depression, which generally last for several years, thereby interfering with one’s routine tasks and personal relationships. People, who have this condition, often find it hard to be happy even on cheerful occasions. These people may be perceived by others as pessimistic and gloomy when in reality they are coping with a chronic mental illness. How is persistent depression different from clinical depression? The moods experienced in the case of persistent depression are not as severe as those in the case of clinical depression are. However, they may still evoke feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and loss of interest.
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood fluctuations and changes in one’s behaviour, thoughts, and sleep pattern. With this type of depression, one not just feels ‘low’ but may even have recurrent or frequent thoughts about self-harm, death, or suicide. These excessive mood swings may happen sporadically – perhaps twice a year – or more frequently, like every week.
Bouts of crying, emotional breakdown, and feeling upset are commonly attributed to dramatic hormonal fluctuations, referred to as ‘baby blues’, which most women experience following childbirth. These feelings are very common and these tend to reduce within one or two weeks after childbirth. However, postpartum depression is a more severe form of ‘baby blues’, which can last for months after the child is born. This type of depression is more likely to affect women, who are already struggling to deal with anxiety, sadness, or other symptoms of mental illness. Does postpartum depression begin immediately after giving birth? Postpartum depression does not necessarily start immediately following childbirth. The symptoms may be observed in the initial few weeks after the birth of the child, or sometimes, they may show up months after, perhaps during the baby’s first year.
This particular form of depression is related to seasonal changes. People suffering from seasonal depression notice symptoms starting and ceasing at about the same time, every year. For many people, the signs show up in the fall and last throughout the winters. Nevertheless, symptoms of seasonal depression may occur in summer or spring.
Psychotic depression is characterized by false beliefs and disorganized behaviour or thinking (delusions) and false sounds or sights (hallucinations). As per The National Institute of Mental Health, an individual with this condition is out of touch with reality. They may imagine things and believe them to be true or hear voices. For example – they may think that others are trying to harm them, or that they are wanted for having committed a crime that they did not commit.
This form of depression is considered a disabling and severe subtype of premenstrual syndrome. This involves behavioural and physical symptoms that generally resolve with the beginning of menstruation. The premenstrual dysphoric disorder leads to drastic mood swings that damage relationships and disrupt work.
Atypical depression is a subtype of clinical depression, which describes a pattern of depressive symptoms, such as irritability, overeating, oversleeping, and sensitivity to rejection. Nevertheless, one key characteristic of this type of depression is that individuals experience a lift in their mood when encountering enjoyable, pleasurable activities. How serious can atypical depression be? Just as with any other form of depression, atypical depression is a critical mental health problem. It is linked with a higher risk of anxiety disorders and suicide. Most often this form of depression begins in the teenage years and has long-lasting effects on the person.
Situational depression is a stress-related, short-term form of depression. It may occur after an individual goes through a series of stressful events or experiences trauma, for instance – the loss of someone near and dear, a financial crisis, a failed marriage, or a terminal illness. Most people suffering from situational depression start noticing the symptoms within three months after the triggering event.
This is a fairly recent diagnosis. It appeared for the first time in 2013 in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DMDD is classified as a depressive disorder, wherein children struggle to control their emotions and moods in an age-appropriate manner. Due to this, they exhibit periodic temper outbursts, either behaviourally or verbally, in response to frustration.
Having an in-depth knowledge of the various forms of depression can help you identify the symptoms better and seek treatment accordingly.
Depression is a serious but manageable condition. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression can overcome it. If you are encountering signs of depression, the first step should be to see your psychiatrist or family physician. Discuss your concerns and request a thorough evaluation – this is a start to addressing mental health needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Depression can make you feel as if there is a dark cloud always hovering over your head. It is a prevalent mental health disorder where you may always feel sad and lose interest in daily activities. Common symptoms include sleep problems, loss of appetite, feelings of guilt, low self-image and suicidal thoughts.
But the good news is that even the most severe forms of depression are treatable. So, if depression is preventing you from living the life you want, ask for help immediately. But there is no ”one size fits all” for depression treatment. What works for you may not work for someone else.
You need to be well informed about the treatments. This article will help you figure out the depression treatment that will help you live a happier and fulfilling life.
This is the most common way of treating depression. Here, you talk about the issues that are affecting your mental health with a specialized doctor. It is also known as talk therapy. Psychotherapy aims to identify the issues of depression, what triggers it and other related aspects. This approach helps you reframe your negative thinking and combat depression.
The different ways in which psychotherapy can help you cure depression are:
Different modes of therapy are available. These include cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, social skills therapy, problem-solving therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Doctors often use a combination of these depression treatment techniques to cure you.
In depression, negative thought patterns such as self-doubt and feelings of guilt often make the problem worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to break these patterns bit by bit, so that people feel better about themselves so i recommend these for worst cases.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
This identifies your relationships as the root cause of your depression. The approach helps you enhance your communication and conflict resolution skills. This form of therapy is focused on 4 areas:
The therapeutic process takes around 20 weeks. The doctor will conduct your interview. Based on the results, he or she will form a treatment outline. The doctor will focus on your depression at present and how it is affecting you. It focuses on how some of your immediate difficulties are causing the symptoms of depression.
After analyzing you, the doctor will help you equip yourself with strategies to tackle stressful emotions positively.
This kind of treatment allows you to understand your feelings can influence your behaviours. Here, the doctor will help you to focus on and solve a specific issue. It can help you to cure anxiety, depression, phobias and addiction.
In this process, the doctor will try to identify the negative thoughts that are troubling you. After identification, the doctor will try to figure out the actual behaviours that are causing mental problems. You will be taught skills and strategies that can be applied to tackle these emotions in the real world. The entire process takes time, but the doctor will play a very active role throughout the session.
In this therapy, the goal of the doctor is to help you heal emotional wounds from your past. This will help you make your present more happy and productive.
Therapy generally makes you think that about a one on one session with the doctor. But it is not always the case. In group or family therapy, the doctor may talk to multiple members of your family who may be suffering from depression. This therapeutic approach focuses on improving interpersonal relationships. This approach also treats couples.
In a group therapy session, you listen to your partner or a family member. Listening to their problems will help you realize that you are not the only one who is being affected by depression. In this form of therapy, the doctor will analyze whether the family member has any role to play in your depression.
Group members may share their experiences and mental issues. They might also share the ways they have overcome their mental issues. This will allow you to look at your own problems from a different perspective. This depression treatment procedure also helps you to build a stronger bond with the other members of the group. It also helps you enhance your communication skills.
Also Read: How to Stop Dissociating: A Comprehensive Guide to Grounding Techniques
Medication is another extremely common way to cure depression. It may help you relieve some of the symptoms, such as sleep disorders and appetite problems. But it is not always successful in treating the underlying conditions of depression. Moreover, some anti-depressants may have side effects.
Medication may be prescribed to you, along with therapy or counselling sessions. Some of the popular medicine that works as depression remedies are-
There may be a case when a person might be suicidal and can potentially harm others. You might be confused about how to treat depression in such cases. At this point, hospitalization is the best way to prevent any unfortunate incidents. Psychiatric treatment at a hospital may help the patient calm down and stay safe.
Hospitalization might include individual therapy sessions and group therapy. The patient may be prescribed medication if necessary. When the doctor declares the concerned person safe to be discharged, an outpatient program may also be recommended. Also known as partial hospitalization, these programs will take place each day for a few hours. These are counselling sessions that help in recovering from depression quickly.
Also Read: Foods to Avoid While Taking Cymbalta: A Comprehensive Guide
Other depression remedies include ways to address the condition without medication. To be mentally healthy, you can practice these techniques for relaxation:
Yoga helps you reduce anxiety and depression. There are different yoga poses that will help you. For example, the Balasana pose will help you to relax your body to tackle depression better. Halasana enhances the strain on your back, improves your posture and reduces insomnia. All this helps you to reduce stress.
Tai chi is a martial art that is practised for self-defence and meditation. Learning the basic Tai Chi movements has helped many patients to stay calm, focused and reduce the symptoms of depression.
This is a form of traditional Chinese medicine where needles are inserted in specific points of your body. This helps to cure imbalances and negative emotions in your body that can cause depression.
Mindfulness meditation helps you to focus on the present and avoid overthinking about past or future events. This can help you relax and reduce anxiety.
During a massage therapy session, a therapist will massage your muscles and soft tissues. This will help you relieve fatigue, joint pain, back pain and sluggishness. The blood circulation in your body increases and you feel relaxed. It can help you sleep better.
In a music therapy session, the combination of harmony, melody and rhythm relaxes the mind. It stimulates your senses. Combined with talk therapy, it can boost your levels of dopamine – making you feel happier.
The kind of music used in these sessions is usually tailored for those particular patients.
Another one of the most crucial depression remedies is exercise. Exercising regularly, such as running and jogging, will increase the release of feel-good chemicals in your body. Exercise also enhances your blood circulation and help your nerve cells to grow and make more connections. Together, all these factors help you in treating depression.
These are some other measures that you can take to fight depression:
The best way to fight depression is to believe in yourself. Try to take it easy on yourself and treat this condition as any other health ailment. Always talk to your doctor openly about anything that might be bothering you.
Also Read: Boosting Your Brain: How to Increase Dopamine Levels Naturally
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
