English
नेपालीWhat is depression?
Depression is defined as the negative thoughts you have about yourself and your surroundings and others in your daily life.
These include negative thoughts, sadness, frustration, lack of enthusiasm, feeling weak, and serious physical problems.
Who suffers from depression?
It can affect people of any age or gender. At any given time, one in ten people may have some symptoms of the disease.
The following conditions are more likely to occur depression:-
- If at any time someone in the family has contracted the disease
- Consuming wrong food
- If you have a deep mental injury in childhood
- If you are older (old age)
- In case of chronic disease
- If there is mental stress
Causes of Depression:-
- The brain contains certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that work to maintain mental balance.
- Depression is caused by a lack of these chemicals in the brain.
Do I suffer from depression?
See a doctor right away if you notice five or more of these symptoms (the symptoms in point number 4 and point number 9 must be present) for 2 weeks or longer.
1) Sleep less or sleep more
2) Being restless when seen by others
3) Not being able to make decisions or concentrate
4) Staying sad all day long *
5) Feeling sorry for yourself and feeling useless
6) Feeling tired or lack of energy and not feeling hungry
7) Special changes in weight or taste of food
8) Repeatedly thinking about death
9) Stop Loving Your Favorite Things
* Note: * = These symptoms must occur.
If left untreated, these symptoms can last for weeks, months or even years.
How to treat the symptoms of depression?
1) Drug treatment: Antidepressant:
Antidepressants (antidepressants) increase the activity of brain chemicals that affect our thinking.
These medications should be taken for a minimum of 6 months * or even longer depending on the severity of the disease or age.
* = After 3 months of recovery, the symptoms of depression are more likely to flare up again.
2) Treatment without the use of drugs:
- Cognitive Behavior (CBT):
It is a process of personally evaluating your thinking style through various questionnaires and exercises. It helps to develop the skill of looking at the situation differently and resolving it. - Interpersonal Therapy (IPT):
It is a treatment method that focuses on the relationship and the problems that are difficult to communicate and internal issues. - Counseling:
Through counseling, new solutions are found to solve problems and cope with difficult situations. - Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT):
ECT is used as a last resort. In the event of an emergency that could lead to a serious illness, an electric shock is given to the brain through an electrode.
Some information about the medicine used to treat depression:
- You should not get addicted to drugs (medicine) for depression.
- These are not medicines to increase happiness or reduce pain.
- It starts working only when taken regularly every day.
- It may take some time for your medicine to take effect.
- Some people find the first week to be the most difficult because they have mild side effects and the medication may not seem to work.
- Even if you do not seem to be recovering immediately, do not stop taking the medicine regularly.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking alcohol or other drugs.
- Take the medicine as prescribed by the doctor.
- The side effects disappear in a few days and the medicine starts showing effects.
Most people start to feel better in 3-4 weeks.
Note: Always consult your physician before discontinuing the medication. Don't stop suddenly.
How to take care of yourself in depression:
1) Be physically active:
- Do exercise
- Play games
- Take a walk
- Do swimming
2) Make time for fun activities:
- Watch movies
- Listen to music
- Do your hobby/interested work
3) Spend time with your friends:
- Hugging each other
- Talking to friends
4) Practice relaxation to stay stress-free:
- Take a shower if you feel stressed
- Do meditation
5) Set common goals and take small steps to accomplish them:
- Set realistic goals that you can accomplish
- Celebrate your success
- Don't try to solve a big problem all at once, divide it into smaller steps and try
6) Eat balanced nutritious food:
- Eat less junk food
- Stay away from alcohol and smoking
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables