Depression – Overview

No one is exempt from depression, the ‘common cold’ of psychiatric illness. We all go through it at some time or the other — each in our own way. Besides, we all react to life’s innumerable problems differently. Depression affects more than 200 million people around the world. In the worst scenario, it can lead to suicide. Over the world, a million people take this extreme step, every year.

Facts

• Depression is a major public health concern. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds; women are twice as likely to suffer from it as compared to men.
• Depression does not affect the individual alone; it has repercussions on one’s family, friends, as well as work.
• There are costs involved in terms of lost productivity and absenteeism from work, due to depression and depressive states.
• Depression is one of the principle causes of disability all over the world.
• People with a family history of anxiety, despondency, or bipolar disorder, or having alcohol or drug abuse problems, are more likely to develop the problem.
• The condition also has a propensity to worsen as time progresses. It can substantially affect the individual’s life at home and in social circles.

The good part is that depression is treatable and the results are superior if treatment is sought early. Homeopathy can provide significant relief to patients with depression and can play a vital role in improving their quality of life.

What is depression?

In simplified words, depression can be defined as sadness or grief that persists for an excessively long duration as compared to normal and significantly impairs the normal functioning of an individual.

On account of millions of people being affected by depression worldwide, it is a huge public health problem. It is especially important to diagnose it and treat it in time, because it affects not only the patient but his entire family as well as his work. The major problem with this condition is that it often has sub-clinical symptoms, leading it to be under-diagnosed and hence under-treated.

Types of Depression

There are many different types of depression. Events in your life cause some, genetics, biological and hormonal changes in your body cause others. To know more about types of depression, Read more.

Symptoms of Depression

Persistent feelings of sadness, isolation, and frequent spells of crying are common symptoms of depression. To know more about symptoms, Read more.

Diagnosis

Our homeopaths will perform physical exam and ask questions about your health. You will be asked about your symptoms, feelings, thoughts, and behavior patterns. If needed, they may suggest you to fill out a questionnaire and recommend blood test for female patients to check for any hormonal disorders. To know more about diagnosis, Read more.

Treatment approach at Dr Batra’sTM:

Step 1: First Consultation – Our homeopaths will spend 30-45 minutes with you to understand the exact cause of depression. We will take into account your medical history, genetics, lifestyle, work and home environment. Depending on all these factors, our homeopaths suggest customized homeopathic treatment for depression that will help you cope with it.

Step 2: Medical Diagnosis – Our homeopaths will consult you for common signs and symptoms of depression. They may use a special questionnaire for evaluation. You will be asked about your symptoms, thoughts, feeling and behavior patterns. The homeopaths will also ask about any drug or alcohol abuse, or physical illnesses that may have led to depression

*you can take our Depression Evaluation Test Online to access the current state of your problem and how homeopathy can help you treat depression

Step 3: Personalized Treatment Natural homeopathic medicines are suggested based on the diagnosis made and extent of the condition.

Step 4: Advice on lifestyle – Making small lifestyle changes can help you fight depression effectively. Our homeopaths will guide you on to how you can change your lifestyle to ensure a healthy mind and body. Read more.