How to know whether you have 
Depression or not?

Story of Steve: - Case History 1

Steve was a science teacher. He worked in a state school. He's 35 years old. He used to go on trips and do wildlife photography as a hobby when he had free time. He had a lot of friends. He bought a new car after applying for a loan from a bank.

One day he met with an accident while he went on a trip. Luckily he escaped without many injuries, but his car was condemned. He had insured the car on a third-party basis. So he got nothing from the insurance company. He lost his whole wealth due to that accident. He fell into a big economic crisis as he got only a very few amount from his salary as he had to pay for the loan. Most of his friends left him. Day by day he tried to be alone and avoid meeting others. He hated going on trips and doing photography as a hobby as it was not pleasurable as previously. He lost his weight by 8 kg and he ate only about two meals a day. He felt guilty about his behavior and he was not active as previously. He lost his energy and he couldn't even sleep well, because all the problems came to his mind once he tried to sleep. He lived for about a month in this manner.

One day he made a decision.

Can you guess what it is?

He went to a bridge nearby and he thought was to commit suicide by jumping into the river. Luckily one of his friends just passed that place and found him behaving a little bit odd. He realized the situation and went to him immediately. He took him to his house and listened to his story. He thought that he might have some mental disorder. So he took him to a doctor. The doctor diagnosed him with depression and treated him with medication and counsel him. After about a month he recovered from depression and started teaching again. He also started tuition classes. Old friends helped him a lot. His Financial issues were solved one by one. He started to go on Trips again and do photography as in old days. He is a lover now. He is doing well and living happily with his girlfriend now.

What is depression?

Depression is one of the main mood disorders commonly found in people. It causes a persistent feeling of sadness, and loss of interest and can interfere with your day-to-day life. It is a common but serious disorder that can even end in a suicide attempt or suicide.

Everyone can feel sadness at some times. But depression is a chronic feeling of emptiness, sadness, or loss of interest. It is distinct from grief and other emotions a person may feel following difficult life events as they last only a short period.

Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years. For many patients, it is a chronic illness that gets better and then relapses.

Depression is nearly twice as common in females as in males.

Symptoms of depression.

Depression can cause a range of mental and physical symptoms, 

• persistent depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies that were previously pleasurable.
• changes in appetite and body weight
• unusually slow or agitated movements
• Decreased energy, fatigue, or body weakness.
• difficulty in sleeping or oversleeping
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

There is a diagnostic criterion called DSM-5 to diagnose depression, if a patient has the symptoms mentioned there for more than two weeks, a doctor may diagnose them with depression.

DSM 5 diagnostic criteria.

What are the risk factors and possible causes?

• experiencing certain life events, such as bereavement, job-related issues, relationships issues, financial problems, and pregnancy
• Stressful life events.
• Personality traits.
• lack of coping strategies.
• having a close relative with depression
• Using recreational drugs, such as alcohol or amphetamines, substance use disorders.
• Past history of major depressive disorder.
• Chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and dermatological conditions.
• Lacking social support, loneliness.
• Poor sleep, diet, and exercise.
• Genetic predisposition.

Treatment Options

There are various types of effective treatments that help with recovery. If the treatment starts early, the improvement is good. Some people may never experience depression again after a single period of depression. Some may continue to have relapses.

Social Support: This can range from discussing practical solutions and possible causes to educating family members and making groups of people discuss and do some activities to overcome this problem.

Psychotherapy: Discuss the matter with the patient, one-to-one counseling as well as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Drug treatment: Antidepressants may be given by a doctor after diagnosing the patient to have depression.

Food and diet: Some foods help to reduce depression symptoms

Ginger, fruits (Banana), vegetables, fish, olive oil

Exercise and Physical activities that bring happiness.

Reference:-

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry (3rd edition)