Highlighting Depression on World Mental Health Day

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Dr. Sameer Malhotra from Max Healthcare throws light on Depression in the Indian Context on World Mental Health Day which lies on 10th.October. As a very common illness, depression can be as debilitating as a heart disease or HIV/AIDS. Many people in the world (estimated 350 million) suffer from depression but unfortunately due to lack of awareness and understanding of the criticality of the illness, many of them are forced to live in denial and more often than not, many sufferers and their family members are unaware of their medical condition.

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, National Human Rights Commission organized a conference to discuss the most pertinent mental health issue - Depression. The conference was titled "Depression: A Global Crisis" and Dr. Sameer Malhotra from Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket was invited as a guest speaker to speak on depression in the Indian context. Depression can affect anyone and it is one of the most widespread illnesses, often co-existing with and even causing other serious illnesses.

World Mental Health Day aims to encourage governments and civil society around the world to address depression as a widespread illness that affects individuals, their families and their peers, to recognize that it is a treatable medical condition. People should be alert to the early signs of depressive disorder-it can affect anyone, from young people to seniors.

It has become so common that it is being called the common cold of mental illness. The average age of the onset of depression seems to have dropped over the years, now even school going children are presenting with different types of depression. Depression affects all age groups. Young children are facing depression in the backdrop of increasing pressure of studies, less time available from parents for quality interaction, child neglect, parental discord, substance/alcohol use in the family. Late teens and young adults' battle with broken relationships, substance misuse, disturbed family environment, career restrictions, lack of opportunities, forced decisions, and examination stress- all contribute to condition which creates depression. Older people report job stress, odd working hours, marital discord, adjustment issues and problems related to raising or bearing children as pertinent causes for the same. Hormonal changes and family discord also results in problems which may lead to depression. Women are particularly vulnerable with biological changes associated with pregnancy and child birth. The elderly have to cope with illness, loneliness or with loss of a partner, children settling abroad, apart from lifestyle changes after retirement which may lead to them becoming depressed. Changing lifestyles, growing materialism with increasing wants/desires at one end and unmet needs at the other, increasing demands on an individual, shrinking social support networks, meeting deadlines and pressures and trying to catch with growing pace of life; less time for relaxation/recreation/enjoying constructive hobbies and healthy interaction; substance and alcohol misuse, disturbed sleep-wake cycle can all contribute to the rise in depression.

Clinical Depression is due to neuro chemical imbalance in the brain, and various treatment and therapies are used in conjunction with lifestyle changes to tackle the same. In his address, Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Head of the Psychiatry Department at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket mentioned that there are various factors which contribute to the growing depression amongst people at large today. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe, with or without psychotic symptoms, Unipolar and Bipolar. However, depression is treatable, but people rarely discuss this problem. There is a need for social awakening, and sensitisation towards people with such symptoms. Timely intervention is absolutely critical in terms of dealing with patients with symptoms of depression.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.