One major source of confusion is the difference between having depressions and just feeling depressed. Almost everybody feels down time to time- getting a bad grade, losing a job, having an argument, even a rainy day can bring our feeling of sadness. Sometimes there is no trigger at all. It just pops up. When circumstances changed those sad feelings disappear.

Clinical Depression –

      Clinical depression is different. Its medical disorder and it won’t go away just because you want it to. It lingers for at least 2 consecutive weeks and significantly interferes with once ability to work, play or love. Still there is no clarity what causes Depression? It seems to have complex interaction between genes and environment. But we don’t have a diagnostic tool that can accurately predict where and when it will show up. Because depression symptoms are intangible, it is hard to know who might look fine but actually struggling. It is seen in research that it takes average of 10 yrs to ask for help for a patient of mental illness. Medication and therapy complement each other to balance brain chemicals. Depression can affect anyone at almost any age. The reason why some people grow depressed is not always known. Researchers suspect there are actually many different causes of depression and that it is not always preventable. WHO estimates 5% of men & 9% of women experience depressive disorders in any given year.

Symptoms –

      Depression can have a lot of different symptoms. Feeling – sadness, anger, guilt, hopelessness Behaviour – social withdrawal, lack of energy, low motivation, poor concentration, sleep problems, significant changes in appetite. Thoughts – poor self esteem, thoughts of suicide, loss of interest. If you have 5 of these symptoms, you can be diagnosed for depression. Depression can have physical manifestations inside the brain such as smaller frontal lobe, abnormal transmission of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin, nor epinephrine and dopamine. Circadian rhythm, changes in sleep cycle. Hormonal abnormalities such as high cortisol and deregulation of thyroid hormones.

Causes-

      There are no of different things that can cause depression ranging from biological to environmental. - A family history of depression - Other factors that may play a role include childhood trauma, medications, life stress, poor self-esteem - Women are especially prone to depressive disorders during times when their hormones are in flux, such as around the time of their menses, childbirth and peri-menopause. - Hormone fluctuations caused by childbirth and thyroid conditions can also contribute to depression. Postpartum depression may occur after a woman has given birth, and is believed to result from the rapid hormonal changes that take place immediately after giving birth. In addition, a woman’s depression risk declines after she goes through menopause. - Chronic illness - The mind & body are clearly linked. If you are experiencing a physical health problem you may discover changes in your mental health as well. The stress of having a chronic illness may trigger an episode of major depression. - Poor nutrition- A poor diet can contribute to depression in several ways. A variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are known to cause symptoms of depression. Diet high in sugar has been associated with depression. - Substance abuse – Drugs and alcohol can contribute to depressive disorders. But, even some prescriptions drugs have been linked to depression include anticonvulsants, statins, stimulants, benzodiazepines, corticosteroids and beta-blockers.

Art therapy in Depression –

      It is important to remember that no single cause of depression acts in isolation. The healing power of art has long been recognized by artists around the world, but it is now emerging as evidence based therapeutic modality for depression. By creating new avenues for self expression, art therapy helps in managing behaviours, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety and increase self-esteem.

Homeopathy for Depression –

      Classical Homoeopathic Treatment is seen helpful in cases of depression.