7 April 2017, WHO is leading a one year global campaign on depression. The goal of the campaign is that more people with depression, everywhere in the world both seek and get help. Depression is a leading cause of ill health and disability world wide.More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005-2015.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.
More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both.
Causes-It's not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved, such as:
Biological differences.People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research indicates that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment.
Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.
Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression.
Symptoms-Although depression may occur only one time during your life, usually people have multiple episodes of depression. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:
· Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
· Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
· Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
· Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
· Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
· Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Other people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.
· In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
· In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can demonstrate irritability without sadness or loss of interest. However, major depression can occur with ADHD.
Depression symptoms in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
· Memory difficulties or personality changes
· Physical aches or pain
· Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, aches or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
· Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
· Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Well selected Homoeopathic remedies are very effective for controlling depression in an holistic approach. The person feel better from Homeopathic medicines without any side effects in the mental and physical plane. Homoeopathy is always with the WHO’s theme of 2017.
ARSENICUM ALBUM 200-Arsenicum album is one of the top remedies for depression. Arsenic patient express sadness, restlessness and fear.Anxious , insecure and perfectionistic people who need this remedy may set high standards for themselves and others and become depressed it their expectations are not met. Depression on account of a hidden feeling or guilt.Worry about material security sometimes borders on despair. When feeling ill , these people can be demanding and dependent, even suspicious of others , fearing their conditions could be serious.Arsenic patients thinks that it is useless to take medicines for his depression.
AURUM METALLICUM 200-Aurum met. is another effective remedy for depression.Aurummetallicumpatients are very serious people, strongly focussed on work and achievement, who become depressed if they feel they have failed in some way. Nervous breakdown.Thinks of committing suicide but fears death greatly.Disgusted of life and thoughts.Profound despondency.Peevish.Rapid and constant questioning without waiting for answers. Oversensitive to noise.Discouragement, self – reproach, humiliation and anger can lead to feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. The person may feel worse at night with nightmares or insomnia.
PHOSPHORUS 200-Phosphorus is best for depression where the person developed depression from the belief that he has an incurable heart disease. Phosphorus persons have great lowness of spirits, fearful and restless. They are easily offended. They have great weary of life, melancholy , disinclined to work and study.They wants the sympathy of others.Generally they are oversensitive to external impressions.
CALCREA CARBONICA 200- A dependable , industrious person who becomes overwhelmed from too much worry, work or physical illness may benefit from this remedy.Anxiety , fatigue, confusion, discouragement, self – pity , and a dread of disaster may develop. A person who needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion.
CONIUM MACULATUM 200-Conium mac.persons are depressed during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Excitement causes mental depression .Timid.Weak memory.Afraid of being alone.
CAUSTICUM 200- A person who feels depressed because of grief and loss either recent or over time, may benefit from this remedy. Frequent crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness with anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc. are other indications.They are often deeply sympathetic towards others and having a strong sense of justice , can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world.
CIMCIFUGA RACEMOSA 200-A person who needs this remedy can be energetic and talkative when feeling well, but upset and gloomy when depressed- with exaggerated fears of insanity, of being attacked, of disaster. Along with this painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck are seen.
HELLEBORUS NIGER 200- Depression in women during puberty. When menses have not started or are suppressed. Sensation of depression.General muscular weakness.Sinking sensation, worse at 4-8 pm. Mania of a melancholic type. Frequent sighing .
HYPERICUM PERF. 1X-Depression. Sadness and mood swings. Feeling of exhaustion.Feeling that everything involves too much trouble.Does not want to get up in the morning.Feels as if an icy cold hand was touching his head.Feels as if lifted high in the air.Anxiety. Brain seems compressed and head feels longer .
IGNATIA MARA 200-Depression in teenages.Depression due to grief and worry. Sensitive people who suffer grief and disappointment and try to keep the hurt inside may benefit from this remedy. Wanting not to cry or appear too vulnerable to others , they may seem guarded, defensive and moody. They may also burst out laughing or in to tears, for no apparent reason. A feeling of a lump in the throat and heaviness in the chest with frequent sighing or yawning are leading indications of this remedy.Insomnia or excessive sleeping , headaches and cramping pains in the abdomen and back are also often seen.Ignatia is also effective for seasonal affective depression.
KALI PHOSPHORICUM 200-Mental and physical depression caused by excitement , overwork, worry and insomnia. If a person feels depression after working too hard, being physically ill , or going through prolonged emotional stress or excitement this remedy can be helpful. Exhausted, nervous and jumpy, they may have difficulty working or concentrating and become discouraged and lose confidence . Headaches from mental effort, easy perspiration , sensitivity to cold , anemia, insomnia and digestion are often seen when this remedy is needed.
LACHESIS 200--Lachesis is an effective remedy for depression occurs during menopause. Lachesis persons are restless , uneasy , does not want to attend business, wants to be off somewhere all the time. To overcome their depressive feelings they always talkative, frequently jumping from one subject to another.
NATRUM CARBONICUM 200- Natrum is another effective remedy where the individuals who need this remedy are usually mild, gentle and selfless-making an effort to be cheerful and avoiding conflict whenever possible.After being hurt or disappointed , they can become depressed , but keep their feelings themselves.Even when feeling lonely , they withdraw to rest or listen to sad music , which can isolate them even more.Nervous and physically sensitive like to sun, to weather changes, and to many foods especially milk, they may get depressed when feeling weak or ill.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 200-Natrum mur is excellent for depression where it occurs with hunger.Natrum mur persons are reserved, responsible, and private- yet have stronger inner feelings like grief, romantic attachment, anger or fear of misfortunes, but that they rarely show. Natrum mur covers the effects of grief, disappointed love , fright and anger.Consolation makes her complaints aggravates. She wants to be alone to cry. Natrum mur persons cannot cry in front of others. Anxiety , brooding about past grievances, migraines, headaches, back pain and insomnia can be experienced when the person is depressed. Another striking symptom of this remedy is a special craving for salt and tiredness from sun exposure.
PULSATILLA NIG. 200- Pulsatilla is one of the best remedies for depression in teenagers due to hormonal changes. Pulsatilla persons are mild, timid, emotional and tearful. They have a changeable mood and weeps easily. When depressed they are sad and tearful , wanting a lot of attention and comforting. They depressed from fear of opposite sex and marriage.Crying , fresh air and gentle exercise usually improve their mood. They are too much depressed in a warm room or being in a stuffy room.
SEPIA 200- Sepia is best for depression during the menopause period. They are nervous , so that she wants to hold on to something or she should scream. She says and does strange things . Wants to commit suicide. Nobody knows what she will do next. Anxious and fear accompanies with depression. She has an aversion to family to those loved best to sympathy to company, yet dreads to be alone. Depression from loss of sex drive and sexual disorders. She has a feeling of dragging or bearing down sensation as if everything would escape through the vagina.
