Depression is not just a state of mind, it is a common but serious mood disorder resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems. Latest report says 43% of Indian population is suffering from Depression. Not all stage of depression requires treatment but often gets worse if it isn’t treated.
What is Depression?
Depression is not just a state of mind, it is a condition which is bothering huge population. Earlier more than 20% of Indian population was suffering from Depression. The pandemic of 2020 has raised the percentage rate to 43%. Not all stage of Depression requires treatment but please understand, if it is hampering your daily routine, then you should definitely consider.
Depression is more than just feeling sad. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder, characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. If these symptoms persist for a period of more than two weeks, it is considered a depressive episode.
Depression often gets worse if it isn’t treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of the life, some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why. Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood.
Causes as per Western Perspective:
Depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
1. Biological differences. People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain.
2. Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression.
3. 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 and from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.
4. Inherited traits: Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition.
5. Trauma or abuse at an early age, which can cause long-term changes in how the brain deals with fear and stress
6. People with some medical conditions like sleep disturbances, cancer, chronic pain etc., are likely to develop depression.
7. People who experiences anxiety is at high risk for developing depression, and vice versa. Nearly half those who are diagnosed with anxiety are also diagnosed with depression.
Symptoms
1. Sad, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness, guilt, self-blame, worthlessness and such negative feelings.
2. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration
3. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities
4. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
5. Anxiety or restlessness
6. Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
7. Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
8. Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain, headache, random pain in fingers, difficulty in opening mouth etc.
9. Fatigue and lack of energy
Acupuncture Perspective of Depression:
(Note: Non acupuncturist can skip this content but please use Acupressure points to avail health benefits)
Each person is different and DEPRESSION is also different for each individual. Be it chemical, conditional or a combination of factors, Acupuncture has its own holistic protocol for decoding the imbalances and alleviating the symptoms of depression.
Understanding that each individual is unique and so is their experience of depression; we find the pattern that shows up. Symptoms act as the guides to understand what’s going on internally. Within the scope of Acupuncture, we understand that organs have characteristics they express, and symptoms show us which organ is crying out for help, creating imbalance and disturbance within.
There are 2 Types of Depression categorized based on Deficient or Excessive nature. Lack of proper blood flow and blood deficiency can affect proper nutrient supply and the proper waste removal from brain tissues. This is basically a deficient syndrome and sadness is usually involved in such condition.
When we talk about excessive type, anger is the most prevalent emotion involved. This type is usually caused by overwork, causing adrenaline rush. The response of the nervous system and endocrine system puts excessive pressure on the Liver creating a tense environment within the body.
The emotions expressed by the patient help us to understand the organ affected as the internal organs play an important role in controlling human emotions.
Depression due to Liver:
A stressed liver leads to depression with a lack of inspiration and direction, diminished creativity and loss of insight. Patients feel trapped by insurmountable barriers. A liver in excess results in irrational behavior, while a deficient liver, leads to lack of courage and even sleep walking.
Depression due to Lungs:
Weak lungs tend to retreat to withdrawal, to a sense of raw exposure and vulnerability, extreme sensitivity to the emotions, thoughts and presence of others, and a sense of disconnection, isolation and separation from the world and society. Common system of this type of depression shows itself as constant sadness and crying.
Depression due to Spleen:
When the spleen is deficient, difficulty concentrating is a major symptom, quickly losing interest and not staying focused on the simplest of tasks. Also, there is a tendency to overeat or comfort eat, and obsess over food.
Depression due to Kidneys:
With the kidneys, there isn’t an excessive issue but there is a hot/cold issue. If the body is running hot, then there’s a lack of grounding; if it’s cold, this causes the type of depression dealing with more despair and fear. Chances of inherited depression is more in such condition.
Acupressure Points:
(Give 5-8 mins of pressure to the shown points for 3 times a day)
Home Remedies:
1. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat needed for normal brain function. Our bodies cannot make omega-3 fatty acids so they must be obtained through diet. Walnuts, flax seeds, sea fish, poppy seeds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid and good for people suffering from depression.
2. Most of the vitamin deficiencies can be fulfilled by green leafy vegetables, fruit, beans etc. Consume them in good quantity.
3. Getting enough sunlight may be effective for seasonal mood changes.
4. Food cooked with coconut oil helps in stress relief and improves body’s immunity.
5. Crush half tea spoon of poppy seeds, mix with warm milk and drink along with your dinner. This helps in brain relaxation and induces good sleep.
Also Watch our video: How to tackle COVID 19 depression and anxiety?
Life Style changes recommended
Here are few tips that may help in managing depression:
1. Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative.
2. Try not to isolate yourself.
3. Meditate regularly which helps to balance our emotions.
4. Try to be active as much as possible to divert yourself from unwanted thoughts
5. Doing regular exercise releases Endorphins which helps in pain management & Insomnia caused due to depression.
6. Set realistic goals for yourself and try to achieve them, this release Dopamine a happy hormone which works as anti-depressant.
7. Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately.
8. Get enough sleep.
9. During Depression use bright color cloths to energize yourself and stick to white during anxiety. Avoid black on either conditions.
10. See a therapist or psychiatrist and express how you feel. This reduces the burden on your brain and body.
Also Read: Depression and anxiety are the leading causes of IVF failure
Disclaimer:
This article is an awareness initiative taken in public interest. Readers are advised not to use any information included herein to treat any health problems without knowing the actual health condition. This article is the combination of theoretical knowledge, patient’s feedback, self-experience and opinion. We recommend consulting a Doctor when in doubt or otherwise. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the contents of this article.
Dr. Gowri B.N.
Rishi Acupuncture Clinic
Mathikere, Bengaluru
Mob:98442 65625/99860 73931
