New Delhi: Depression is world`s leading illness and is one of the major reasons for suicides globally, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
The story in India is no different.Everyone gets depressed at some point or other in life.
On this note, there is a difference between feeling low for a short period and clinical depression. The good news is, clinical depression can be treated.
Hence, according to Smita Sundararaman, the founder and managing director of NatureHealz, it`s time to talk it out, instead of brushing it under the carpet.
Sundararaman further explained that the stages of depression are not scientifically agreed upon. However, it is true that there are stages a depressed person goes through.
This is the pattern they generally follow:-
- Depression is first characterized by denial followed by anger. People do not accept that they suffer from depression; they brush it off as just a low point in their life. Then they feel angry at the world and its injustices. They question why are they the ones picked to go through this suffering?
- This stage is followed by personifying the depression and confronting it. This can include trying to strike bargains with it to make it leave or negotiating with it to leave you alone.
- After this comes the lowest of the low - feeling so depressed that getting out of bed is a chore, getting dressed and going to work is impossible. You may keep thinking of death and how welcome it may be. At this stage, family members are genuinely worried and push you to take psychiatric treatment.
- Acceptance is the last stage when you truly acknowledge that you have an illness and need to be treated. A life spent in this condition seems to be agony, and you know you need help. Mental illness is no longer a taboo word, but something to absorb, accept and treat.
Various signs to look out for include:
Most treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or prescription drugs treat the symptoms of depression, not the cause. Relief is short-lived, and patients often relapse after some period.
The only way to cure depression is `naturally,` says Smita Sundararaman.Depression can be treated from the root by bringing about some lifestyle changes. Psychiatrists and therapists act as enablers in this process by helping you talk through the problems you face.
Here is what you can do:-
It`s all about finding the calm in the chaos!