Depression a Silent Killer

Increase in depression fits hand in glove with COVID-19 Pandemic.

How to identify a person suffering from depression

A person who complains of

1. Hopelessness (There is no hope in the life)
2. Worthlessness (Life is not worth living)
3. Negativistic Thoughts
   1. Easy irritability
   2. Easy Fatigability
   3. Memory problems
4. Inability to initiate and maintain sleep
5. Pain at multiple joints
6. Recurrent Gastro-Intestinal Problems
7. Sudden/ unexplained loss or gain in weight
8. Sudden increase or decrease in appetite
9. Suicidal thoughts
10. Irregularities in menses
11. Childhood depression may present as sudden change in personality trait of a child( e.g. an introvert child suddenly becoming talkative), self-harming behaviour, bedwetting, angry outburst, abusiveness, assaultiveness, recurrent conflict with parents, academic failure, running away from home, watching pornographic movies, taking drugs etc.
12. Depression may lead to developing illnesses like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, eczema etc.

Do’s and Don’ts in treating depression

DO’S

1. Allow a depressed person to vent out his/ her feelings.
2. As a trustworthy relative / friend be empathetic to patient.
3. Refer him/ her to a nearby trustworthy Psychiatrist.

DON’TS

1. Do not make fun of feelings of depressed patient or say him/ her that depression will get
automatically cured.
2. Do not utter at all “ All is well”
3. Watching a “Motivational Video” will not cure depression.

You can save a life of depressed patient and prevent him/ her from committing suicide by timely intervention.

Please remember the theme of world Mental Health this Year, “Kindness Matters”.

-Dr. Milind Joshi
Consultant Psychiatrist
+91 98193 61229