Symptoms

Depressive disorders are characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that people normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. In addition, people with depressive disorders usually have several of the following:

• A loss of energy.
• A change in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.
• Sleeping more or less than usual.
• Restlessness or irritability.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

What we call depression is more than just a feeling of sadness from time to time. You can't hush it away or wish it away, and it's not an indication of personal weakness. Getting well is not as simple as "pulling oneself together" for someone who has a mental condition. Symptoms can linger for weeks, months, or even years if not treated. Depression, on the other hand, maybe alleviated with the right therapy.

Assessment and Diagnosis of Depression

In the absence of a particular test for depression, our doctors at Viveka will evaluate you and may perform certain urine or blood tests to rule out other laboratory investigations to rule out any organic disorders that present with symptoms comparable to mimicking depression, such as a stroke or a brain tumor, or an underactive thyroid. Depression thyroid illness may be diagnosed by asking a lot of questions detailed history about your overall health and asking if your feelings are harming you mentally and physically.
It is critical to communicate openly and honestly with your doctor. He or she will be able to tell whether you have depression and how severe it is if you describe your symptoms and how they impact you. As part of the examination, your doctor will explore any family history of bipolar disorder or other mental diseases with you. Your symptoms and family medical history will be thoroughly investigated by the doctor.
The presence of depression is frequently accompanied by the presence of other medical conditions as well. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, and generalized anxiety syndrome. Depression and other major medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, can co-exist with alcohol and other substance addiction or dependency.

Planning Intervention

There are a variety of treatment options available once you've been diagnosed with any depressive disorder. Depression Treatment Medication and psychotherapy are the most prevalent forms of treatment.
Antidepressants, for example, largely affect brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which are linked to mood regulation. There are a variety of treatment options available, and your doctor will recommend the one that is best for you. The majority of antidepressants must be taken for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks before they have a significant impact. Even if you feel better, you should continue taking the prescription to prevent the depression from returning. If medication is stopped without a doctor's supervision, withdrawal symptoms may occur or the depression may return. Antidepressants may be used with stimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, or other medications, especially if you have a psychiatric disease.
Depression can also be effectively treated with psychotherapy. If you're suffering from depression, there are a variety of psychotherapy options at Viveka Hospital that might assist. Treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are quite popular. Depression sufferers benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) because it teaches them how to reframe their negative thoughts and how to communicate more effectively with others. Individual psychotherapy (IPT) aims to help people understand and work through the connections that may be causing or worsening their depression.

Acute Care

Viveka Hospital offers acute care that can help patients who are at risk of self-harm or harm to others or suffering from serious physical health problems due to their depression. This can include inpatient unit treatment in a hospital setting.

The treatment approach includes:

• Medication management.
• Therapy sessions with a psychiatrist and psychologist.
• Group therapy sessions with people who have similar experiences of depression to you.
• Family therapy sessions with your family members and other loved ones.
• Family counseling
• Education about depression and the treatments available for it.

Maintenance Treatment

At the Viveka Hospital, we take the treatment of depressive disorders very seriously. We understand that depression is more than just a passing mood. It can be a medical condition that requires treatment and therapy.
That’s why we offer a full range of services for patients living with depression. This includes inpatient treatment and medication management in addition to outpatient counseling, education, and support groups.
The major aim of maintenance treatment for depression patients is to prevent the recurrence of depressive episodes after recovery from depression. Relapse prevention strategies are often needed in patients with more than one episode of depression or with risk factors associated with recurrence.

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