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WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Many people use the word 'depression' to describe feelings of sadness and loss. These feelings often pass within a few hours or a few days. During this time, people are able to carry on much as usual. The illness that your doctor calls depression is different from this. You feel sad much more instensely and for longer. It is common to lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. Depression commonly interferes with your work, social and family life.
- Disturbed sleep
- Changes to appetite
- Physical aches and pain
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Irritability and intolerance
- Feeling of guilt
- Loss of concentration
Q. HOW CAN DEPRESSION BE TREATED?
Anyone can develop depression. But, treatment is effective in about 80% of identified cases, when treatment is provided.
PSYCHOTHERAPY and MEDICATION are the two primary treatment approaches. Antidepressant medications can make psychotherapy more effective, for some people. Someone who is too depressed to talk, for instance, can't get much benefit from psychotherapy or counseling; but often, the right medication will improve symptoms so that the person can respond better.
The word 'anxiety' is used to describe the mental and physical response to feared and threatening situations. Anxiety is a normal response experienced by everyone at times. Nearly being hit by a car, sitting for an exam or giving a public talk are all examples of situations in which most people would experience some anxiety.
You are likely to be suffering from an anxiety disorder if you experience any of the following:
- The anxiety reaction occurs frequently.
- Your fears are out of proportion to the situation.
- You start to avoid places or situations where you experience anxiety.
- It interferes with your working, social or family life.
Common symptoms of anxiety include the following:
Psychological symptoms - Fear of dying, fear of going crazy, feeling of unreality.
Physical symptoms - Light-headedness, tightness or pain in the chest, sweating, shortness of breath, hot and cold flushes, choking sensation, nausea, pounding heart, trembling, numbness/tingling sensation in fingers and feet, dizziness and light-headedness
Q. CAN KIDS ALSO GET PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS?
Yes, Mental retardation, learning disorders, communication skills disorders and some development disorders (such as autistic disorder) appear to have biological components. Elimination disorders like Enuresis (passing of urine in clothes, whether in the daytime or night), and Encopresis (passing of faeces at inappropriate places and in clothes) are encountered in general psychological practice, but are typically seen as an expression of other psychological problems.
Q. HOW DO I GET HELP ?
The department of Psychiatry at the Apollo Clinic, East of Kailash, provides comprehensive treatment and counseling services for all the aforementioned psychiatric/psychological problems. Help is just a ring away.
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