Niutoli Tuccu
Rehabilitation Psychologist (RCI)
“MAY” being the MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, I would like to take this privilege to write what mental health and depression is, like the word “QUARANTINE” which became trend at one go, so these days I see many people misunderstanding and misusing the word “DEPRESSION”, which is why today I would like to give a gist about what mental health and depression is.
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Mental health problem is a leading cause of disability worldwide, more disabling than conditions such as heart disease, stroke or diabetes. When an individual suffers from mild flu, cold, headache, stomach ache, cancer, strokes, AIDS and accidents etc., we take medicines or they are taken for immediate treatment but when it comes to mental illness, we fail to understand the Invisible wound.
Worldwide statistics of mental illness 2023:
• Any mental health disorder: 79 crore of people
• Depression: 201 crore of people
• Anxiety disorders: 305 crore of people
• Studies shows that mental health problem kills 8,00,000 lakh people every year worldwide
WHAT IS DEPRESSION: A mental condition marked by ongoing feelings of sadness, despair, loss of energy, interest and difficulty dealing with normal daily life. It negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work or at home
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION: SIGECAPS is a well-known mnemonic listing the symptoms of Depression, and that people has to have the following 5 symptoms for at least 2weeks, according to the DSM-5 and ICD-10, SIGECAPS stands for:
• Sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia Nearly every day
• Interest: Reduced, with loss of pleasure markedly diminished interest in all (or almost all) activities most of the day, nearly every day; may be subjective or observed by others
• Guilt: Often unrealistic, Nearly every day; guilt may be delusional; not merely self reproach or guilt about being sick
• Energy: Mental and physical Chronic fatigue
• Concentration: Distractibility, memory disturbance, indecisiveness, may be subjective or observed by others
• Appetite: Decreased or increased, Significant weight loss or weight gain (without dieting)
• Psychomotor: Retardation(slow movements) oragitation (fast movements), Nearly every day and observable by others
• Suicide: Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without specific plan, or suicide attempt, or a specific plan for suicide
Types of Depression: The DSM-5 and ICD 10 classifies depressive disorders as the following:
1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you have felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least 2 weeks while having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities or change in appetite. This is the most severe form of depression and one of the most common forms.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Persistent depressive disorder is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least 2 years. The symptoms are less severe than major depressive disorder. Healthcare providers used to call PDD dysthymia.
3. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): DMDD causes chronic, intense irritability and frequent anger outbursts in children. Temper outburst occurs on average of 3 or moretimes in a week. Symptoms usually begin by the age of 10.
4. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): With PMDD, you have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms along with mood symptoms, such as extreme irritability, anxiety or depression. These symptoms improve within a few days after your period starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.
5. Depressive Disorder due to another Medical Condition: Many medical conditions can create changes in your body that cause depression. It include hypothyroidism, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. If you are able to treat the underlying condition, the depression usually improves as well.
6. Seasonal Affective Disorder: This is a form of major depressive disorder that typically arises during the fall and winter and goes away during the spring and summer.
7. Prenatal and Postpartum Depression: Prenatal depression is depression that happens during pregnancy. Postpartum depression is depression that develops within four weeks of delivering a baby. The DSM refers to these as “major depressive disorder (MDD) with peripartum onset.”
8. Situational Depression: It is a short-term, stress-related type of depression. It can develop after you experience a traumatic event or series of events. Death of a loved ones, unemployment or stressful situations
Causes of depression:
1. Brain Chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.
2. Genetics: If you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with depression, you are about three times as likely to develop the condition as the general population. However, you can have depression without a family history of it.
3. Stressful Life Events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, isolation and lack of support, can trigger depression.
4. Medical Conditions: Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Chronic pain and chronic conditions like diabetes can lead to depression.
5. Substance use: Including Alcohol, Sunflower, Cannabis, Marijuana, Painkillers etc can also cause depression or make it worse.
Treatment plans:
1. Self help (DIY): Exercises, Enough sleep, balanced diet, enough water intake
2. Counseling and psychotherapy
3. Socialising
4. Psycho pharmacotherapy in case of severe depression or Psychosis
5. Prayer and meditation
6. Journaling
7. Relaxation therapy, Guided imagery therapy, Projective muscles relaxation therapy, Aromatherapy
The writer is General Secretary of All Nagaland Counselor Association (ANCA). The writer also runs a home based Counseling Service, and can be found on IG/FB as, NT_ Revivify Counseling Service @ Thahekhu village.
