Depression Treatment
Depression is a mood disorder marked by persistent sadness. Patients lose interest in life, lose sleep, have a poor appetite and suffer from a weak memory. Unlike temporary sadness from stressful events, depressed patients feel low continuously for at least two weeks.
5%
Global population affected by depression (WHO).
1 in 20
Indians Currently lives with depression
60–70%
Patients improve significantly with structured therapy + medication.
50%
reatment Gap Half of Indians with depression do not receive proper care.
Introduction
Depression is a common mental health disorder marked by ongoing sadness and low energy. Patients experience a change in thinking pattern, altered sleep cycle, appetite and even behaviour. The illness gets manifested in several forms but is treatable through therapy, medication and even both. Early medical intervention is crucial for effective recovery and long-term recovery.
Read on to learn more about what depression is, signs of depression, causes of depression and various depression recovery programs at Calida Rehab.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder marked by persistent sadness. Patients lose interest in life, lose sleep, have a poor appetite and suffer from a weak memory. Unlike temporary sadness from stressful events, depressed patients feel low continuously for at least two weeks. Without timely diagnosis and proper treatment, symptoms can worsen quickly leading to self-harm.
Types of Depression
Clinical Depression
A severe and common kind of depression marked by feeling sad and hopeless. The duration of these emotions must extend, at a minimum, for at least two weeks. Other symptoms that accompany this are loss of appetite, changes in sleeping patterns, and changes in interest, affecting the patient’s routine.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
A mild but long-lasting type of depression that lasts for at least two years. Previously known as Dysthymia, this type of depression is less intense than other major kinds of depression.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
This is a type of childhood condition characterised by persistent irritability. Patients have severe temper outbursts and often face difficulty managing emotions. Symptoms show up before the age of 10 and significantly affect their routine.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
This is a severe form of PMS that causes intense mood swings. Patients often suffer from irritability, anxiety or depression before periods. Symptoms often ease once the cycle is complete. However, patients can experience disruption of routine.
Bipolar Depression
Patients suffering from bipolar depression experience depressive episodes alongside manic or hypomanic periods. Depressive phases involve deep sadness and low energy. Patients lose interest in their routines. They swing between elevated and irritable moods defining bipolar mood fluctuations.
Prenatal or Postpartum Depression
Patients suffer from prenatal or postpartum depression either during or immediately after delivery. It is classified as a major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Symptoms include persistent sadness, anxiety and difficulty bonding with the child. It hampers the emotional well-being of the parents, disrupting the routine.
Atypical Depression
This depression is characterised by temporary mood uplift after a positive event. Key symptoms are increased appetite and excessive sleep. Patients feel heaviness in limbs and sensitivity to string rejections. This type of depression causes severe emotional distress.
Circumstantial Depressive Disorder
Patients suffering from pre-existing medical conditions or challenges can suffer from depression. Patients often feel better once the problem is resolved. Their overall well-being improves and their mood swings reduce with time. Seasonal depression is another sub-category of this depression. Patients often feel better once the daylight increases.
Causes of Depression
Mental health experts at Calida Rehab Centre trace the cause of illness before starting the treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of depression that patients report the most:
Altered Brain Chemistry
Depression can develop when key neurotransmitters become imbalanced. There is a significant imbalance of serotonin and dopamine which causes mood dysregulation. Patients suffer from emotional instability and persistent sadness or loss of interest.
Genetics
Having a parent or sibling who suffers from depression raises an individual’s risk by about threefold. However, a person without any kind of family history can also suffer from cancer.
Stressful Circumstances
Major challenges in life like the death of a loved one, divorce or inadequate emotional support can also lead to depression. A person suffers from poor coping abilities. Depressive symptoms get triggered among vulnerable individuals.
Medical Conditions
Chronic illnesses and long-term painful health concerns can trigger depression among patients. These health issues negatively affect the emotional well-being of a person. Moreover, it also increases the likelihood of developing depression over time.
Substance Abuse
Patients who are addicted to drugs are at a higher risk of suffering from depression. However, certain medicines can also make a person feel low or intensify undiagnosed existing symptoms.
What Are The Signs of Depression?
Depression symptoms vary by type and intensity. However, some of the most common symptoms of depression include:
- Low level of energy during the day.
- Feeling sad and hopeless consistently.
- Continuous irritability despite favourable circumstances.
- Drastic changes in appetite or weight.
- Excessive sleep or drastic alteration of sleeping patterns.
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks or making decisions.
- Patients at later stages also suffer from headaches or stomach aches.
Diagnosing Depression
Here is a foolproof depression diagnosis routine followed by mental health experts at Calida Rehab:
Patient Counselling and Interview
Diagnosis of depression involves a detailed analysis of symptoms by experts at Calida Rehab Centre. Doctors begin by understanding the frequency of mood swings, if any. Patients who are slow or feel low generally are interviewed thoroughly.
Doctors seek a detailed report of their daily functioning, sleep cycle and appetite. Since depression is not the same for every person, psychiatrists determine the type once the individual sessions are over.
Doctors may opt for screening tools like questionnaires and interviews for standardised assessments. The aim is to achieve an accurate diagnosis to understand the severity of the illness.
Detailed Physical Examination
Physical examination is done to rule out any ailment that could be causing depressive symptoms. Although no lab test can determine if a person has depression, blood tests help evaluate the person’s overall health.
Mental health experts with medical practitioners determine if conditions like high blood pressure, thyroid and high toxicology levels could be causing behavioural issues. CT and MRI further clarify if there is any abnormal brain activity that could be causing behavioural changes.
Depression Recovery Programs at Calida Rehab
Calida Rehab Centre offers a variety of treatments to treat patients suffering from depression. Once the patients are counselled properly, mental health experts select the most suitable type of treatment and start the process.
1. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, treats depression by discussing emotions. The mental health expert aims to discuss challenges openly to trace the cause.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy help a patient identify negative thoughts and improve interpersonal relationships. Patients manage stress and also change behaviours that worsen these symptoms.
The aim of the therapy is to build healthier coping mechanisms and foster emotional control. Psychotherapy helps regain confidence and supports setting achievable goals.
2. Medication
Depression is commonly treated with medication and psychotherapy. Primary care doctors and psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants. Therapists further provide additional therapeutic support.
Treatment options further include SSRIs and SNRIs. Atypical antidepressants, tricyclics and MAOIs are also prescribed because they offer certain benefits.
Certain doctors combine medication with mood stabilisers. Antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs and stimulants are also prescribed to patients for better behavioural results and effective management of symptoms.
3. Brain Stimulation Therapy
Many patients generally respond well to psychotherapy and medication. However, severe depression and accompanying symptoms may worsen with time. In such cases, experts at Calida Rehab recommend brain stimulation therapy.
4. Lifestyle And Home Remedies
While depression is not usually managed at home, professional help is necessary. However, self-care supports recovery. Experts encourage patients to follow their treatment plan consistently and not allow them to skip sessions.
Patients must learn about their condition and involve their family for better support. Doctors watch for early warning signs to prevent relapse. Alcohol and drugs must be avoided as they worsen symptoms.
They are encouraged to prioritise healthier habits like opting for a balanced diet and indulging in regular physical activity. They must get good sleep and follow an enjoyable routine. The ultimate aim of experts at Calida Rehab is to strengthen their physical as well as mental health.
Call our 24-hour free confidential helpline.
Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our treatment programs, admission process, and what to expect during your recovery journey
What makes Calida Rehab Centre the best place for recovering from depression?
What are the 3 C’s of depression?
What are the 4 R’s of depression?
What is the duration of treatment for depression at Calida Rehab Centre?
The duration of treatment for depression depends on the severity of the problem. The patients and their families are apprised of the situation. Once the initial counselling is complete, the duration of the treatment is classified which could range from 3 weeks to 6 months.
How much does staying at Calida rehab cost?
Experts Who Will Guide Your Recovery
Dr. Prashant Dasud
Designation: Consultant Psychiatrist
Experience: 15+
Illnesses:
SLD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Drug Addiction
Dr. Santosh Pawar
Designation: Consultant Psychiatrist
Experience: 15+
Illnesses:
SLD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Drug Addiction
Dr. Neha Shetty
Designation: Psychiatrist
Experience: 7+
Illnesses:
SLD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Drug Addiction
