Depressive Disorders
Sadness touches all of our lives at different times, but depression can have enormous depths and devastating consequences. Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, or just empty and numb are classic signs of depression. You may find it difficult to concentrate, make decisions or enjoy things that used to bring you pleasure. You may notice that you are sleeping or eating either too much or too little, you may have fatigue, headaches or aches and pains that do not seem to have an obvious cause. You are not alone. Approximately one in six adults worldwide suffers from depression at some point in life.
Treatment for Depression
Depression is not an illness that can be wished away. A person suffering from depression cannot solve his or her problems by simply shaking off the “blues” or showing a little more “backbone”. Too many people suffer in silence from depression worldwide and do not seek help or counselling.
Depression is very treatable like any other medical illness. Medications are the mainstay of treatment and therapy can help. One study showed that for those who took treatment depression lifted completely in seven out of ten people. For the rest, treatment relieved many though not all symptoms. Effective treatment can lighten up your mood, strengthen your relationship with loved ones, allow you to enjoy interests and hobbies again and makes you feel more like yourself again.
To find the right treatment, you may need patience and perseverance. Some people immediately hit upon a medication or therapy that works for them. For others, the treatment path takes a few trials of medication, changes in dosage of medication, or even a different doctor.
Today's advances in neuroscience are paving the way for better treatment for depression. Genetic discoveries and brain imaging techniques are helping doctors better understand the biology of depression
What is Depression?
Most People with depression go undiagnosed resulting in needless suffering most of their life time. Depression is a terrible disease and is also associated with suicide. To understand depression think of the worst day you ever felt in your life and imagine feeling like that every day, day after day and not knowing why”. Think about what it is like to not being able to sleep, not being to able to eat and not being able to enjoy pleasure of any kind.
According to a famous study called “Global burden of disease” published by Harvard School of Public Health, World Health Organisation and World Bank, depression is the second major cause of disability worldwide in 2020 and will be the first major cause of disability by 2030.
Lot of research is under way at the world’s premier medical and research centres to make more targeted and personalized treatment possible for depression. In the meantime, we hope that this report will encourage you to seek help immediately if you or your loved ones suffer from depression. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with our expert psychiatrist Dr Kranthi Kiran, M.D to find a treatment that restores your sense of well-being and make more room for joy in your life
Core Symptoms of Depression
- Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried
- Not enjoying things that used to give you joy
- Being easily irritated or frustrated
- Eating too much or too little
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Lack of energy
- Lack of Motivation
- Lack of desire for Sex
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Difficulty Remembering Things
How can we help ?
The first step to get help is to visit our psychiatrist Dr Kranthi Kiran, M.D, who will complete a full evaluation and prescribe appropriate treatment if deemed necessary.
FAQ
American Center for Neuropsychiatry offers world-class treatment for depression based upon treatment guidelines from the American Psychiatrist Association. Our psychiatrist Dr. Kranthi Kiran trained at The Chicago Medical School and University of Hawaii. He practiced in the United States for more than two decades before relocating to India a few years ago he continues to provide treatment for patients all over the world.
It is important to continue taking your medication for depression even after you feel better to prevent a relapse. Most psychiatrists in America will recommend that you stay on your medication for about a year after the first episode of depression in accordance with guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association. If you have had several episodes of depression, your doctor will probably recommend treatment for several years.
Antidepressants are not addictive or habit forming contrary to popular belief a few years ago.
Side effects from antidepressants are possible in some patients. It is frustrating but true that side effects may appear before the benefits of a medication are obvious. Not every patient taking antidepressants has side effects. Most side effects are mild and resolve in a few days which may include nausea, diarrhea and sedation. Even if side effects happen your doctor can help you manage them by making adjustments in doses or switching medication.
Although few people report a positive change as soon as one or two weeks after beginning medication more often it takes about four to eight weeks for antidepressants to help depression. The time it takes for medication to work reflects the time it take for medication to affect the chemical processes and structures in the brain.
Medications are almost always the first line of treatment especially if you're experiencing severe depression or suicidal thoughts Almost 65% to 85% of people with severe depression get some relief from antidepressants. It may take a trial of few different medications to find the one that works best for you with as few side-effects as possible. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a combination of antidepressants.
Depression is a ideally treated by a psychiatrist. Unique differences in biology, temperament and life experiences make treatment of depression a complex matter. No single approach works for everyone. However many people benefit from medication and therapy. Other treatment modalities include Electro-convulsive therapy, Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation , Vagus nerve stimulation, Vagal nerve stimulation and Ketamine infusion therapy for treatment-resistance depression.
Depression is diagnosed by a physician who specializes in psychiatry based upon a thorough psychiatric diagnostic evaluation which involves taking a detailed medical history, physical examination and mental status examination. It may also involve obtaining blood tests and relevant brain imaging if necessary.
The major factors thought to play a role in depression include genes, stressful life events, medical problems, changes in brain function and alcohol and drug abuse.
Depression is a brain disease where the person suffers from sad mood, loss of pleasure, trouble sleeping, change in appetite, low energy ,poor concentration, slowed thinking, guilt feelings, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts about death or suicide.