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Depression

Depression is a psychological disorder where the problem resides in the thoughts, behavior, and emotions of the sufferer.  During the onset of a disease like depression, structural changes in the brain of the patient can be seen where the hippocampus shrinks in size, the amygdala becomes hyperactive and the frontal cortex undergoes functional decline. 

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

For the diagnosis of Depression to be formulated, the below-given symptoms should persist for at least two weeks. 

Three major symptoms:

  1. Sad/Depressed/Low mood throughout the day for almost every day.
  2. Decreased energy and feeling fatigued. For instance, it feels like a task to get out of bed in the morning.
  3. Anhedonia, meaning that activities that were once enjoyed, do not yield any pleasurable effects now.

Some other important symptoms are;

  • Changes in sleeping pattern, meaning, either sleeping too much or too less. 
  • Dietary changes, meaning that there is a lack of balance in your eating habits.
  • Inability to concentrate on tasks at hand or even conversations. 
  • Lack of confidence and low self-esteem.
  • Pessimistic thinking, feeling that everything will turn out to be negative only. 
  • Increased guilt and remorse.
  • Feelings of worthlessness.
  • Thinking about self-harm or suicide ideation.

*Mild Depression= 4 Symptoms, Moderate Depression= 5-6 Symptoms, and Severe Depression= 7-8 Symptoms.

Types of Depression

It is a multifactorial disease that has many types. Our trained team of mental health experts aids in the appropriate diagnosis of this disease by ruling out any physiological ailments and by using advanced psychological tests. 

Some of these types are;

  • Agitated Depression
  • Psychotic Depression
  • Depressive Stupor
  • Melancholic Depression
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
depression

Why is Depression caused?

This is a biological as well as reactive illness meaning that it is not only the organic changes in the brain causing this disease but also environmental cues playing a crucial role in its instigation. 

Some of these causes are;

  1. Genetical Factors: Studies have shown that there are 37% heritability chances of depression, meaning that if one of the parents is a victim of depression, the chances for the child to acquire the same disease increases by 37%. 
  2. Chemical changes in the brain: Various investigations and tests show that people with an insufficient supply of serotonin and thyroxin and an oversupply of the stress hormone, cortisol are more prone to depression. 
  3. Personality type: Some patients have vulnerable personality types making the prone to depression.
  4. Early life difficulties: When children face difficulties in the early stages of life such as., separation of parents, physical/sexual abuse, and more, they develop higher chances of depression. 
  5. Current problems in life: Problems are a part of life but sometimes they become a little too much to handle. For instance, the inability to find a job, financial crisis, marital conflict, etc. may lead to increased risk. 

Treatment of Depression at The Hermitage Rehab

Patients with this disorder are sadly mistreated and are made to feel that undergoing this disease is a sign of weakness, which is not true. As discussed, It is a disease that needs intensive treatment according to its diagnosis. 

Dr. JPS Bhatia for the last three decades has been helping patients and families alike in dealing with this deadly disease and under his wing, his trained and professional staff provides various services and treatment plans customized to the needs of each patient. Psychotherapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, advanced brain stimulation therapies like rTMS, medication and residential treatment for severe cases are some of the remedial amenities provided.