How to Handle Depression- Slideshow

About depression

It is ok to be moody once in a while but if you feel moody for a longer period of time then it could be depression.

It is a medical condition that is treatable.

A depressed person feels intense sadness that could disrupt daily activities
Primary symptoms
- Sadness/moodiness
- Lack of interest in life activities
- Loss of weight / gain in weight
- Loss of appetite /Comfort eating
- Sense of worthlessness / hopelessness
- Loss of sleep
- Suicidal thoughts
Affects Daily Life

The physical and emotional problems in depressed people can upset their day-to - day activities, careers, interests and personal relationships.

They are also highly prone to suicidal tendencies and often talk of death or taking their own lives.
Who is at risk?
- Depression is universal but in serious cases genetics and family history play a role.
- Studies have shown that women are more prone to depression than men.
- Depression and suicidal tendencies is also known to occur in children
- People who have been through catastrophic events such as earthquakes or those who have experienced personal tragedies are prone to suffer from depression
Depression Causes

Depression is believed to be caused by an alteration in the brain structure and an imbalance in the brain chemical called neurotransmitter
Depression - Causes
- Post partum depression "baby blues" are experienced by many women soon after delivery. In some the condition is serious and they tend to neglect the new born
- Seasonal changes lead to seasonal affective disorder(SAD) in some particulary in winter
- Substance abuse, increased alcohol intake and medications are also known to cause depression
Diagnosing depression

Diagnosing depression is usually done by discussing with the doctor the following -
- The medical history of the condition
- The severity of its symptoms
- Nature of daily activities , with the doctor
- Talk therapies for mild to moderate depression
- Anti depressants for severe cases. These medications do have side effects
- Electro convulsive therapy using electrical impulses for severe patients
- Light therapy for SAD patients. During this treatment they are exposed to light of the required intensity for a period of time
Vagus - Nerve Stimulation

Pace maker for treatment - resistant depression.

This device sends electrical impulses to the brain and stimulates the vagus nerve. This produces the feel-good chemical and eases the patient's depression .
Other methods

Exercising is a Time-tested method to beat stress. While exercising endorphins are produced which is a good antidote for depression. Exercising enhances self esteem. Even moderate activity is known to lower stress and produce sleep.
Keeping pets are also a considered a good way to counter loneliness and depression.
Be Social

Depressed people are always not lonely but lonely people tend to be depressed. Make sure you network with people and stay in touch with friends and family. Join any class of your interest or join a support group

Alcohol	Alcohol - Benefits and Harms	Anti-ageing Foods	ASTHMA
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder	Bad Foods that May Still Be Good for Weight Loss	Beauty Tips for Winter	Benefits of Laughter
Best Foods That Aid Digestion	Bioterrorism	Cancer Prevention thro' Lifestyle Changes	Caring for Alzheimers disease patients
Celiac Disease	Control Blood Sugar in 7 Ways	Daily Hygiene Tips	Dealing with Menopause
Detanning Skin with Home Remedies	Diet and Nutrition for Stress Management	Diet for Obstructive Lung Disease	Easy Ways to Beat Anxiety and Stress
Fast Foods	Food to Boost Sports Performance	Foods for Better Eye Health	Foods Inducing Sound Sleep
Foods That Boost Men's Health	Foods that Can Lower Your High Blood Pressure	Foods that Can Save Your Heart	Foods that Fight Cancer
Foods That Fight Pain	Foods that Help You Succeed	Foods that Improve Anemia	Foods That Stain your Teeth
Foods to Avoid in Gout	Foods to Avoid in Kidney Failure	Foods to Lower Cholesterol and Heart Disease	Health Insurance
Home Remedies for Food Poisoning	How to Handle Depression	How to Handle Insect Bites?	How to Handle Snake Bite
How to look tall	How to Lose Weight?	How to Prevent Hair Fall	How to Quit Smoking
How to Take Temperature	Insulin Injections for Diabetes	Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome	Leukemia / Blood Cancer
Nine Wonder Foods to Beat Diabetes	ORGAN DONATION	Pregnancy Diabetes Mellitus	Sleeping Disorders
Stress Busters	Super Foods for Women	Superfoods In Your Diet	Ten Super Foods to Boost your Brain Power
Tips to Control Obesity in Children	Tips For Pregnant Women	Tips to Live With an Overactive Bladder (OAB)	Top Anti Aging Tips
Top Foods for Strong Bones	Top Ten Foods for Healthy Hair	Top Ten Foods to Boost Your Mood	Top Ten Ways to Cure Hangover
Top Vegetables and Fruits for Healthy Diet	Type 2 Diabetes	Types of Alcohol	Urinary Stone Prevention - Dos & Don'ts
Ways To Boost Your Immune System	Weight Gain Shockers	Why smoking can kill you	Worst Foods in Your Fridge
Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005 - 2009	Nobel Prize in Medicine 2000 - 2004

Phenylbutazone (bute)	Robot Suit	Blood Vessels harvested from Ostriches	SARS: Deadly Virus
Living with HIV	Ovarian Cancer	Maternal Mortality	Freezing Stem Cells for the Future
Antibiotic Drug Abuse	Breast Implants under Scrutiny	E.coli - Infection	Caesarean Births in Asia

Be the first to comment!
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters
	I agree to the terms and conditions
Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished. Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Become a member

Health Encyclopedia A-Z

Health Topics A-Z

Health News A-Z

Health Calculators A-Z

Drugs A-Z

Health Animations A-Z

Baby Names A-Z

Search Doctors by City/State A-Z

How to Handle Depression - Slideshow

Latest Animations

Bladder

Consumers

Medical Professionals

Medical Students

Directories