Cadabam's Blog

Depressive disorders come in many different types, but each type has its own unique symptoms and treatments.
Major depression, the most common type of a depressive disorder, is characterized by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime. Mental health professionals use this checklist of specific symptoms to determine whether major depression exists or not. Depression is also rated by your diagnosing physician or mental health professional in terms of its severity — mild, moderate, or severe. Severe depression is the most serious type.
A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
Another type of depressive disorder is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Symptoms of Depression
Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time.
DEPRESSION
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
Symptoms of Mania (for Bipolar Disorder)
MANIA
• Abnormal or excessive elation
• Unusual irritability
• Decreased need for sleep
• Grandiose notions
• Increased talking
• Racing thoughts
• Increased sexual desire
• Markedly increased energy
• Poor judgment
• Inappropriate social behavior

Depression is a very real and serious problem for both children and teens.
Research has shown that childhood depression often persists, recurs and continues into adulthood, especially if it goes untreated. The presence of childhood depression also tends to be a predictor of more severe illnesses in adulthood.
A child with depression may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative and irritable, and feel misunderstood. Because these signs may be viewed as normal mood swings typical of children as they move through developmental stages, it may be difficult to accurately diagnose a young person with depression.
Before puberty, boys and girls are equally likely to develop depressive disorders. By age 15, however, girls are twice as likely as boys to have experienced a major depressive episode.
Depression in adolescence comes at a time of great personal change–when boys and girls are forming an identity distinct from their parents, grappling with gender issues and emerging sexuality, and making decisions for the first time in their lives. Depression in adolescence frequently co–occurs with other disorders such as anxiety, disruptive behavior, eating disorders or substance abuse. It can also lead to increased risk for suicide.
One research study of 439 adolescents with major depression found that a combination of medication and psychotherapy was the most effective treatment option. Researchers are developing and testing ways to prevent suicide in children and adolescents, including early diagnosis and treatment, and a better understanding of suicidal thinking.

Clinical depression goes by many names — depression, “the blues,” biological depression, major depression. But it all refers to the same thing: feeling sad and depressed for weeks or months on end (not just a passing blue mood), accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, and taking little or no pleasure in things that gave you joy in the past.

A person who’s depressed just “can’t get moving” and feels completely unmotivated to do just about anything. Even simple things — like getting dressed in the morning or eating — become large obstacles.

We’ve compiled a library of depression resources for you to explore. We encourage you to take your time with these resources, print out things you’d like to read more carefully, and bring anything you have additional questions about to your family doctor or a mental health professional.

Depression is readily treated nowdays with modern antidepressant medications and short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy. Don’t be put off by the amount of things written about depression — because it’s so common, a lot has been written about it! Read what you need, and leave the rest for another day.

The word ‘holistic’ has been the most commonly used term by healthcare centres in the present day scenario. Have you ever thought about the term Holistic? Considering it is being endorsed by almost all the healthcare facilities such as corporate hospitals, ayurvedic treatment centres, luxurious resorts and spa and finally the integrated healthcare centres. The origin of this word is from Greek word ‘holism’ meaning all, entire and total. The health care providers use this definition to characterize their approach to the treatment of the illness as being treating the person as a whole and not restrictive to the illness.
Generally, there are two meanings for holistic care as it is being used in the society. Firstly, it means that interdependent parts of the body considered as a whole for the treatment. Secondly, it means the use of alternative therapies for treatment. An interesting quote from the American Holistic Health Association is, “… for the part can never be well unless the whole is well”. They have gone further to compliment the ancient healing traditions of India and China dated 5,000 years ago, where the stress was on healthy way of life in harmony with nature. This has been the cause of upspring of ayurvedic treatment, herbal treatment, acupuncture and Chinese traditional treatment today.
Healthcare centres are also cashing in on present generation’s ‘way of life’ that is packed with a bag full of stress, pressure and changing lifestyle through globalisation. These set ups have been mostly of South-East Asian origin considering their rich heritage in medicine and treatment from the ancient years.
Now the question that arises is “Is there a need for Holistic Treatment and promoting holistic well being?” The answer is without doubt ‘YES’. This is with due consideration to the nature of illnesses that needs a comprehensive care plan. Physical health issues such as cardiac problem, hypertension, diabetics, arthritis, asthma, skin problems, backaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine etc require an all-inclusive care even beyond general medicine and thus, a holistic care will help them overcome their symptoms and lead a pain free life. The approach to this treatment beyond medicine could be a combination of alternative medicine along with regular allopathy medication.
Physical health, by and large, gets due attention. Have you ever thought about a need for your holistic mental health? I believe, there is a need for recognition and importance to be given to a person’s mental health. Being a part of the Cadabam’S Group, I have been realised the need and the importance of holistic care in crafting the success stories for those suffering with these illnesses. The holistic mental health model includes concepts based upon educational, psychological, religious and sociological perspectives. The model also includes theoretical knowledge of personality, social, clinical, health and developmental psychology.
I trust that today, there is a need for identification of holistic care itself and furthermore, a higher need to understand the call for a holistic mental health care as well. This will help people to live a life entirely than he/she would have.
Holistic Treatment for Mentally ill

Each age group like children , adolescents,adult,middle age and old age has specific psychological problems , which have to be dealt with effectively to maintain our health and efficiency. The specific psychological problems, which after the age of 50 years are as follows;
(1)Depression (2) Adjustment disorders including anxiety and somatoform disorders (3) dementia
1.Depression: it is the most common mental disorder seen in this age group. It is estimated that 15 to 20% of people may suffer and at the age of 75 and above ,50% of people may suffer from this order.common symptoms of depression are as follows;
1. medically unexplained bodily symptoms like headache, backache,pain in any part of the body, fatigue , weakness , giddiness,numbness etc. all the investigations done reveal no physical abnormality . no defect or damage see in the body parts.
2. Sleep disturbances : difficulty to fall asleep,getting up early in the morning , disturbed sleep with more recall of bad dreams.
3. poor apetite , not able to enjoy the food,indigestion , constipation.
4. decreased sexual desire,inability to do and enjoy the sexual act.
5. most part of the day, the person feels bored, sad , gloomy, may move into tears very easily.
6. inability to enjoy the activities which were enjoyable earlier.
7. ideas of hopelessness,helplessness and worthlessness all the time.onemay get negative thoughts.
8. ideas of guild and sin. One may recall past mistakes and repent.
9. poor concentration and memory.difficulty to learn new things.
10. death wish,suicidal ideas and even attempts.
11. restlessness , suspicion and illusions.
It is learnt that depression disorder is due to low dopamine and serotonine(these are neurotransmitters) levels in the brain cells. genetic factors certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism,psychosocial stress factors drive the person to develop depression.
Treatment : antidepressant drugs like imipramine,fluoxetine,citalopam etc. ,councelling , emotional support from family members , healthy relaxation and recreational activities will control depression.
2. adjustment disorders : the changes in the family,loss by death or separation ,financial condition,job(retirement) and living conditions and life style may lead to adjustment disorders in the persons. The person may perceive these changes in a negative manner and as a threat to his status, well being and safety. Hemay not be able to make the required modifications and changes in his thinking , actions and reactions and its style. He may suffer from following symptoms :
i) fear and anxiety: increased heartbeats, hurried respirations , seating tremors of the hands or whole body,increased frequency of passing urine. Feelings of apprehension and anticipation of bad feeling to happen.
ii) fatigue, weakness, aches and paines, giddiness, numbness etc. in any part of the body.
iii) emotional reactions of sadness,, anger, frustratrions.
iv) sleep and appetite, sexual disturbances.
v) poor concentration,memory,inability to think , analyses and take decisions
vi) misintrepet the responses from others and environmental changes
vii) severe pre-occupation with ill health and diseases.may believe that he/she is having serious disease like heart attack , cancer
treatment : anxiolytics ( like Lorazepam, clonazepam,propranolol) antidepressant drugs,councelling,relaxation , support from family, friends or voluntary organizations.
3) dementia : as part of ageing or irreversible damage to the brain cells the person may develop the following symptoms.
i) progressive decline in memory and intellectual functions of the individual.
ii) inability to recall the names of known people , losing ones way in the known sorroundings.
iii) changes in the personality for example- a person who was very strict with money,becoming a spend thrift, a person who was very calm and serene becoming very irritable and aggressive.
iv) taking decisions without bothering about the consequences.
v) not able to take care of his needs and receiving help and guidance in day-to-day activities. At the end , becomes totally dependent on others.
vi)develops neurological deficits like fits, paralysis,tremors,in-coordinated movements of the body andlimbs.
Causes:
1. Decreased blood supply to the brain
2. Repeated bleeding inside the brain in cases of untreated or badly controlled diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure.
3. Repeated lowering of blood sugar level(below 60 mg/ 100ml) in diabetic mellitus.
4. Tumors in the brain