What is Depression? And How is it Treated?

What is Depression?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, anxiousness, or emptiness.

Simply put, depression is a condition of the mind where someone feels consistently gloomy and sad, and loses interest in the things they once found exciting. But depression is sly, and it can manifest in other ways, too — causing individuals to cry, or become irritable and angry for no apparent reason.

The condition is more common than one can imagine. In the United States, 8% of the adult population experiences depression every year. In comparison, as per the National Mental Health Survey of India, 5% Indians experience depression annually.

So universally prevalent is the condition that the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks depression as the single largest contributor to global disability.

Treatment Options

There are a variety of ways to treat depression, but it must start with the individual accepting they are depressed and need help — which can be the biggest challenge of all.

And even after they do overcome that first major hurdle and try to talk to someone about it, the reactions they receive usually aren’t very helpful. Common responses might sound something like: ‘Everyone feels down sometimes. You’ll get over it. Just try to stay positive.’ OR ‘Are you sure it’s depression? Maybe you’re just stressed out. Have you tried exercising more?’

But depression is not a choice or a state of mind. It is a genuine illness.

Trying to cure depression with your mind alone would be like trying to build muscle using just your mind. It’s literally impossible. And just like physical health where you need to workout regularly to maintain your fitness, depression also requires regular attention and care in order to successfully manage the condition.

Moreover, since depressive symptoms tend to worsen over time, the quicker you seek help, the higher your chances of making a recovery. Once you seek help, you might find you are able to successfully manage your depression with any one form of treatment or a combination of treatments. They include:

Psychotherapy

Therapy entails working with an expert who doesn’t just care about you, but is clinically trained to help you get better. In therapy, you will process your thoughts, feelings, and actions related to your depression. It’s a safe place to share without worrying about being judged, and it can help you feel more confident about handling tough situations.

A lot of our behavioural and thought patterns are formed and solidified during our early years, and we continue to operate from those even later on in life, which is not always very helpful. In therapy, a professional will work with you to help you develop insights about your patterns, and help you overcome the negative ones. 

You can think of therapy as trying to figure out why your car isn’t running smoothly by focusing on fixing the engine, instead of just filling up the gas tank. With the right therapist or psychiatrist, you’ll get personalised support to help you identify the root cause of why you feel the way you feel. You’ll learn coping skills, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop healthier ways of managing emotions.

Medication

There are some common myths around antidepressants. They are addictive; they are ‘happy pills’; they change your personality; they are only for severe depression; and they are the only way to treat depression. These are all untrue.

Think of antidepressants the same way you think of antibiotics. You would normally take an antibiotic only if you have a bacterial infection. Similarly, you would only be prescribed antidepressants if your depression symptoms are causing an imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain. The antidepressants are what will help restore those neurotransmitter imbalances – particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. And even when antidepressants are prescribed, it is usually in conjunction with other forms of treatment, like therapy and exercise.

So then why is psychiatric medication stigmatised whereas normal medication isn’t? The reason for that is the overarching stigma surrounding mental health in general. Nobody judges you if you’re taking meds for high blood pressure or diabetes. But if you start taking psychiatric pills for your mind, that’s when eyebrows start to go up. And this is what needs to change.

Note: It can take 4 to 8 weeks for antidepressants to be fully effective. Problem is, many people quit before that because of side effects, delayed responses, myths, misunderstandings, or a perceived lack of need. If an individual does want to stop antidepressants, they should always consult their doctor first and taper off the meds the right way. Never quit them all at once.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive procedure where magnetic pulses are used to stimulate specific areas of the brain. This form of therapy is commonly used to treat various mental health conditions, including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

During a typical TMS session, a special device is placed against the scalp, and gentle magnetic pulses are delivered to specific brain areas that are connected to the associated symptoms. The magnetic pulses help modulate brain activity, leading to potential improvements in mood and reduction of symptoms.

It’s important to note that TMS is typically administered over multiple sessions, and its effectiveness can vary depending on the individual and the specific condition being treated.

Natural Remedies

Everyone knows that people who are prescribed medication for chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension are also advised by their doctors to make lifestyle changes like eat less sugar, take less stress, and exercise more.

Depression is no different. Along with regular treatment, making positive changes to your eating and sleeping habits, becoming more physically active, and practising meditation or yoga can significantly help to lower depression symptoms.

Like this 2022 study from Spain shows, depression patients who made lifestyle changes like sleeping better, indulging in regular physical activity, following a healthier diet, and psychoeducation (learning about depression) showed greater symptom recovery compared to patients who only followed regular treatment (which includes psychotherapy and medication).

Alternate Therapies

There are a host of alternate therapies that can prove very useful when used in conjunction with the therapies listed above. They include:

• Hypnotherapy: Uses relaxation techniques to access the subconscious mind and promote positive change.
• Light Therapy: Involves exposure to bright light to regulate mood and energy levels.
• Art Therapy: Uses creative activities to express emotions and reduce stress.
• Music Therapy: Utilises music to improve mood, communication, and relaxation.
• Dance Therapy: Incorporates movement to promote emotional healing and self-awareness.
• Pet Therapy: Involves interactions with animals to provide comfort and reduce anxiety.
• Massage Therapy: Manipulates muscles to relax, reduce tension, and alleviate pain.