Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. It is defined as depressed person as experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness.

In traditional terms, feeling “depressed” is often synonymous with feeling “sad”, but both clinical depression and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling.

Though there are many psychological theories ,important theories of depression are as follows:

1. the psychodynamic view

2. the behavioral view

3. the cognitive view

4. learned helplessness

Causes:

It is estimated that about 1 out of 6 adults suffer from depression.

Depression does not have a single cause, many things contribute to the feeling of depression, such as family history, pessimistic personality, trauma and stress, physical conditions, and other psychological disorders.

Men are more prone to depression and may experience depression in different ways.

Risk factors:

1. Having a family member or relative with depression.
2. Having a family member who has committed suicide.
3. Stressful events like losing a job, death of a loved one, financial difficulties.
4. Having depression as a child or teenager.
5. Chronic illness like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, or cancer.
6. Having a personality where one has low self-esteem, no confidence, being dependent on others or being criticized all the time.
7. Postpartum depression.
8. Having little or no money and being of a low socioeconomic status. Cultural considerations are relevant to mixed episodes as well

Symptoms:

There are many symptoms that signify depression. The frequency, duration, and severity of these symptoms will vary depending on the individual. Some signs and symptoms that can occur include

– Anger and/or irritability.
– Persistent sadness, the feeling of being “empty”, and anxious.
– Changes in sleep patterns i.e., insomnia, in particular during the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping which is also known as hypersomnia.
– Loss of interest in everyday activities.
– Appetite or weight changes a significant weight gain or loss, by more than 5% of body weight.
– Irritability or restlessness.
– Loss of energy.
– Concentration problems.
– Fear of failure.
– Repetition in speech.
– Unexplained aches and pains.
– Frequent thoughts of suicide or death.
– Compulsive-obsessive disorders (such as chewing fingernails).
– Inability to control spending or eating.
– Feeling worthless or ignored.

Complications:
When depression is neglected or severe, it can lead to:
1. Suicide.
2. Substance abuse.
3. Alcoholism.
4. Anxiety.
5. Heart problems.
6. Weight problems.
7. Work-related problems.
8. Family conflicts.
9. Interpersonal difficulties.
10. Social isolation and loneliness.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

1. AURUM METALLICUM:

Complaints after fright, anger, contradictions ,mortification ,vexation
Tempermentally,serious,conscientious,selfrespecting,delicate,scrupulous,trustworthy
Rash ,excessive anger when contradicted
Smiling when talking
Any disappointment leads to disproportiontely high depression
Self condemnation ,desire to live is lost, constantly dwelling on suicide
Profound melancholy, hateful ,quarrelsome

2.IGNATIA:

Long concentrated grief, from bad news, shame, reserved displeasure
Nursing and nurturing her sorrows
Broods in solitude over imaginary troubles
Secretive dignified, wants to be alone
Angers herself when found fault or contradicted
Ventilates her suffering as sighing

3.NATRUM MUR:

Persistently talking of same thing
Awkward ,hasty, drop things
Absent minded
Laughs and weeps without any reason
Extremes of moods
Anger when consoled

Other remedies of frequent use are lachesis, acid phos, lycopodium ,platina, prescription cialis generic argentum.nitricum etc.

Author Bio: Dr Guptha faculty for the medical billing training

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: medical, coding, billing, training,