In today’s fast-paced life, everyone remains stressed about something or the other. Many things related to personal life and work can cause stress. Most people manage that situation in a short time. But some people think too much about their problems. These are common. But if you think too much about everything and remain under stress for a long time, it can affect the health and mental health of the person. In today’s time, many people are struggling with problems like anxiety and depression. Some people consider the symptoms related to depression as a person’s weakness or drama. Many people are afraid to accept it because they think what will people think about them if they find out. This is the reason why many people do not seek help on time and the problem increases.
Where social media connects each other. At the same time, it also gives rise to comparison of oneself with others, self-doubt and loneliness. People start feeling low on themselves after seeing the “happy lives” of others, which increases the chances of problems like depression and anxiety. In such a situation, it is very important to know about depression and make people aware about it. Because this problem is not common. This has a bad effect on the mental health of the person.
world mental health day
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October all over the world. The objective of this day is to increase awareness among people about mental health and eliminate stigma regarding mental illnesses. Mental health is as important as physical health, but it is often ignored in society. This year this day is being celebrated on Mental health in humanitarian emergencies. This theme emphasizes how important the attention and services of mental health and sport physiologist are in emergency situations such as natural disasters, conflict, epidemics.
How common is depression today?
Dr. Prashant Goyal, Senior Consultant, Psychology Doctor, at Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, said that in today’s time, depression has become a serious problem related to mental health. national mental Health survey According to 2015-16, about 15% of adults in India need treatment or help for some mental problem. 1 in every 20 people in India depression suffering from guess According to this, in the year 2012, more than 2,58,000 people committed suicide in India, mostly people in the age group of 15 to 49 years. People living in cities, youth, students, office workers and elderly people are its biggest victims. Fast-paced life, work pressure, staying away from people, inability to talk, financial stress and increasing dependence on technology are considered to be the main reasons for its increase.
The problem of depression often remains hidden because people consider it to be just sadness and do not seek help on time, due to which the situation can become serious. Therefore, in today’s time, it is very important to identify its symptoms and consult an expert about it at the right time. Timely therapy, counseling and, if necessary, medical treatment can completely cure the condition. By increasing awareness of mental health and accepting it as a common disease in the society, people will not hesitate to seek help, this will make the path to recovery from depression easier.
How is depression different from anxiety?
Anxiety and depression are both mental health problems, but their symptoms and effects are different. In anxiety or stress, a person feels constant tension, fear and restlessness, often without any reason. During this time, people think more about the future, have trouble sleeping, heart beat increases, hands and feet become cold or shiver and feel nervous over small things. Anxiety usually increases or decreases due to some situation or event.
Whereas depression includes being sad for a long time, feeling tired and depressed, changes in sleep and appetite. In serious cases, thoughts of harming oneself may also arise. Depression affects a person’s daily life and ability to function normally. Sometimes anxiety and depression occur together, so correct identification and timely treatment is very important. Both conditions can be controlled through therapy, counseling and, if necessary, medicines.
What are the behavioral changes in depression?
The expert said that depression affects not only the mind but also the body and behaviour. When a person is struggling with this, he starts experiencing problems like constant fatigue, headache, lack of sleep or oversleeping, loss of appetite or sometimes overeating. If this situation persists for a long time, the risk of problems like heart problems, blood pressure and diabetes may also increase. Talking about behaviour, a person suffering from depression may become irritable, sad and silent, self-confidence decreases and changes may be seen such as not feeling like doing the things in which earlier he used to get pleasure. Along with this, many times he starts distancing himself from his family and friends and starts getting cut off from the society. Don’t feel like talking to anyone. In serious situations, thoughts like harming oneself come to mind.
If someone has depression, what should be the environment around him?
The surrounding environment is very important for a person suffering from depression. Such patients first need understanding and support. Family and friends should listen to the person carefully without judging and make him feel that he is not alone. The environment of the home should be calm and positive, away from stress and conflicts so that the patient feels safe. Small things like involving him in activities of his choice, encouraging him to take a daily walk and having light conversations can help him gradually return to a normal life. A depressed patient needs support and patience rather than criticism or compulsion, because this process takes time. Increase the courage of the person in front, so that his confidence increases. Also, it is very important to cooperate in regularly continuing the medicines and therapy given by the doctor. If the patient ever has thoughts of harming himself or feels extremely depressed, he should immediately contact a specialist.
Can food habits also cause depression?
Proper eating habits are very important in depression or mental health related problems. Often people think of depression as just a mental problem, but wrong diet can increase or reduce its risk. Too much oily, junk food, processed snacks and sugary liquids affect the chemical balance of the brain, which can worsen the mood. At the same time, deficiency of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids in the body can also increase feeling of sadness and fatigue. Therefore, patients are advised to avoid consuming oily foods, packaged snacks, soda and excessive caffeine or alcohol.
Instead, include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oatmeal, oats, brown rice, nuts, dry fruits and omega-3 rich items like flaxseed, chia seeds and fish in your diet. It is also very important to drink the right amount of water and consume protein. By eating right, the level of happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine in the brain remains balanced, mood improves and strength is given to fight depression. Therefore, to maintain mental health, not only medicine or therapy, but also a balanced diet is very important.
What should be done to overcome loneliness?
The right environment is very important for people struggling with loneliness and sadness. To overcome loneliness, it is very important to keep yourself busy first. Because in free time a person starts overthinking about many things. Adopt an activity of your choice like reading, writing, painting, listening to music or singing, spending time in yoga or light exercise is very helpful for mental health. Being physically active daily increases the level of happy hormones i.e. serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which improves mood. Chat with family and friends, make phone or video calls, or just chat with new people. Becoming a part of a group can also help in reducing loneliness and increasing confidence. Many techniques like meditation and deep breathing can help in reducing mental stress. Along with this, take 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
How is depression treated?
Depression is a serious problem, so it is very important to get it treated on time. When a person is constantly feeling sad and tired. Along with this, if symptoms like negative thoughts, lack of interest in any work, changes in sleep and appetite persist for a long time and the person is not able to manage them himself, then he may need therapy or medicines. In initial and mild cases, counseling or talk therapy is effective for the person, in which the patient talks openly about his problems and feelings. But if the symptoms worsen and due to this, daily activities start getting affected or thoughts of harming oneself or others start coming in the mind, then antidepressant medicines are given. The method of treatment is decided according to the condition of each patient, sometimes only therapy is beneficial, and sometimes both medicine and therapy are needed. Support of family and friends also plays an important role in the betterment of the patient. The most important thing is that depression is not a weakness but a problem which needs to be treated on time by talking to an expert.
Why is it important to know about depression?
It is important to know about depression because it is not just mental stress but it is a serious mental health problem, which can have a deep impact on anyone’s life. Often people do not understand the difference between feeling sad and depression and are not able to get timely treatment, due to which the situation worsens. In such a situation, it is important to recognize the symptoms of depression mentioned above and start treatment at the right time. This information is important not only for the patient but also for his family and friends, so that they can support him at the right time and help the person. With increasing awareness about depression, people will consider it not a weakness but a treatable disease and will not hesitate in seeking help. From our point of view, it is also important to understand that depression can be completely cured with timely identification and treatment, but if it is delayed, it can become a serious problem. Therefore, it is important for people to be aware about depression and other problems related to mental health and to understand and help the person in front of them.