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Depression :- Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Home Care and Home Remedies of Depression

The blues and the blahs - everybody gets them sometimes. It can range from a feeling of no energy all the way to such an over whelming sense of unhappiness and defeat that ending it all seems the only way out. Depression may seem to be simple fatigue or a general feeling of ill health. You Just don't feel good, and you may not know the reason it why. The future may seem to hold no promise. There is a sense of loss-a feeling of defeat or of having lost something or someone important.

In medical terms, most de­pression is "reactive," mean­ing that, it is a reaction to an unhappy event it is natu­ral to have some

depression after a loss such as a death of a friend or relative, or af­ter a substantial disappoint­ment at home or work.

Time and activity take care of most depression. After all, life has its ups as well as it downs; happiness is also inevitable. But if the depression is so great as to disturb your work or family life for a substantial period of time, put a time limit on it by making an appointment with your doctor.

Anyone can experience some form of depression at some point in their lives. Depression can range from a minor problem to a major life ­threatening illness. Fortunately, effective treatments are available for most people who suffer from depression.

Symptoms of Depression

If you have experienced 4 or more of the following symptoms nearly every day for more than 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness.

Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities or pastimes.

Increase or decrease in appetite or unexplained gain or loss of weight.

Frequent backaches, headaches, stomach problems, or other aches that don't respond to treatment.

Insomnia or excessive sleepiness.

Low energy, fatigue.

Feeling restless or irritable.

Feeling worthless or guilty.

Inability to concentrate, remem­ber, or make decisions.

Frequent thoughts of suicide or death.

Causes of Depression

Depression is probably caused by a combination of factors, including the genetic traits that a person inherits from his or her parents. Most major depressions involve problems with the chemical messenger (neurotransmitters) in the brain. The amount of stress in a person's life and the way a person copes with stress also contribute to depression. Ongoing depression affects a per­son's body, mind, and social behavior.

Many things can trigger depression, including:

Drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.

Having a major illness or injury.

Grieving the death of a loved one.

Going through major life changes (loss of a job, divorce, children leaving home, retirement).

Being under long-term stress/such as having a family member with a chronic illness.

Taking certain medications or having certain health conditions.

Having reduced daylight during the winter seems to cause a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder in some people.

Having recently had a baby (post­partum depression).

Diagnosis of Depression

The doctor will explore the issues and events associated with depression. Listening and responding are the most important things: the doctor will make some suggestions about exercise and activities. The use of drugs will be avoided if possible: hospitalization is the best if suicide is a possibility. If drugs that could cause depression are being used, these will be changed.

Home Treatment of Depression

For many people, self-care alone can improve symptoms of mild depres­sion. For more serious depression, self-care can add to the benefits of professional treatment.

Consider what might be causing or adding to your depression:

Pace yourself according to your energy level. Choose what is most important to get done and do those things first.

Do not make major life decisions when you are depressed. If you must make a major decision, ask someone you trust to help you.

Do not drink alcohol or use medications that have not been prescribed by your health professional.

Spend time with other people. Do things you usually enjoy, even if, you don't feel like doing them.

Get enough sleep. If you are having difficulty sleeping.

What is (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes called the winter blues, is a mental health problem_, that usually occurs in the. Months when there is less sunlight. There is no known cure, but it can be controlled, and it improves in the spring when there are more hours of daylight. The main symptoms include depressed mood, decreased energy, and food cravings. If you notice such a pattern developing during the winter, consider trying the following:

Go out into the sun as often as possible. Protect your skin-it's your eyes' exposure to the sun that will help.

Take a vacation to a sunny place.

Get regular exercise, either out­ doors or indoors near a window that lets in sunlight.

Light therapy (photo therapy) is sometimes successful in treating SAD. It involves sitting, working, or reading in front of high ­intensity lights for up to several hours a day.

Medication can also be helpful, either alone or in combination with light therapy.

When to call a doctor

If there are any serious thoughts of suicide, or hurting yourself, or other people.

If you're experiencing crying spells

If you are feeling down and drinking more than usual

If you feel depressed or anxious much of the time for more than a week or so.

For attacks of panickly feeling or severe anxiety.

Problem in concentration, remembering or making decisions

Lack of relationships in making relationships.

If the sleep is disturbed either too little or too much sleep for more than a week or so.

Home Remedies in Depression

•  A combination of memory booster herbs like BRAHMI, ASHWAGANDHA, VACHA, MULATHI which guards against stress, depression and improves learning ability in a natural way. MEMOCARE Capsules improves mental attitude and channalises the memory to increase mental alertness.

•  Ashwagandha , Brahmi give relief to the brain. Make a tea from equal proportions of ashvagandha and brahmi (about 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon each), steep in a cup of water for about 10 minutes, and drink 2 or 3 times a day.

•  Apple is one of the most valuable remedies for mental depression. The various chemical substances present in this fruit such as vitamin B, phosphorus, and potassium help the synthesis of glutamic acid, which controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. The fruit should be taken with milk and honey. This remedy will act as a very effective nerve tonic and recharge the nerves with new energy and life.

•  The use of cardamom has proved valuable in depression. Powdered seeds should be boiled in water and tea prepared in the usual way. A very pleasing aroma is added to the tea, which can be used as a medicine in the treatment of this condition.

•  An infusion of rose petals should be prepared by mixing 15 gm of rose petals in 250 ml of boiling water. If drunk occasionally, instead of the usual tea and coffee, it is beneficial for treating this condition.