Depression Treatment
Depression is a mood disorder marked by persistent sadness. Patients lose interest in life, lose sleep, have a poor appetite and suffer from a weak memory. Unlike temporary sadness from stressful events, depressed patients feel low continuously for at least two weeks.
5%
Global population affected by depression (WHO).
1 in 20
Indians Currently lives with depression
60–70%
Patients improve significantly with structured therapy + medication.
50%
reatment Gap Half of Indians with depression do not receive proper care.
Introduction
Depression is a common mental health disorder marked by ongoing sadness and low energy. Patients experience a change in thinking pattern, altered sleep cycle, appetite and even behaviour. The illness gets manifested in several forms but is treatable through therapy, medication and even both. Early medical intervention is crucial for effective recovery and long-term recovery.
Read on to learn more about what depression is, signs of depression, causes of depression and various depression recovery programs at Calida Rehab.
What is Depression?
Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. A patient suffers from persistent feelings of sadness, reduced appetite and poor concentration. Unlike temporary sadness, depressed people are not able to function properly as they suffer from a lack of will to work. A patient is termed as depressed in case these symptoms persist for more than two weeks continuously.
Nevertheless, if diagnosed at the right time, a patient can lead a normal life. Treatments now available are extremely effective enabling a patient to recover completely.
Types of Depression
Clinical Depression
A severe and common kind of depression marked by feeling sad and hopeless. The duration of these emotions must extend, at a minimum, for at least two weeks. Other symptoms that accompany this are loss of appetite, changes in sleeping patterns, and changes in interest, affecting the patient’s routine.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
A mild but long-lasting type of depression that lasts for at least two years. Previously known as Dysthymia, this type of depression is less intense than other major kinds of depression.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
This is a type of childhood condition characterised by persistent irritability. Patients have severe temper outbursts and often face difficulty managing emotions. Symptoms show up before the age of 10 and significantly affect their routine.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
This is a severe form of PMS that causes intense mood swings. Patients often suffer from irritability, anxiety or depression before periods. Symptoms often ease once the cycle is complete. However, patients can experience disruption of routine.
Bipolar Depression
Patients suffering from bipolar depression experience depressive episodes alongside manic or hypomanic periods. Depressive phases involve deep sadness and low energy. Patients lose interest in their routines. They swing between elevated and irritable moods defining bipolar mood fluctuations.
Prenatal or Postpartum Depression
Patients suffer from prenatal or postpartum depression either during or immediately after delivery. It is classified as a major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Symptoms include persistent sadness, anxiety and difficulty bonding with the child. It hampers the emotional well-being of the parents, disrupting the routine.
Atypical Depression
This depression is characterised by temporary mood uplift after a positive event. Key symptoms are increased appetite and excessive sleep. Patients feel heaviness in limbs and sensitivity to string rejections. This type of depression causes severe emotional distress.
Circumstantial Depressive Disorder
Patients suffering from pre-existing medical conditions or challenges can suffer from depression. Patients often feel better once the problem is resolved. Their overall well-being improves and their mood swings reduce with time. Seasonal depression is another sub-category of this depression. Patients often feel better once the daylight increases.
Causes of Depression
Mental health experts at Calida Rehab Centre trace the cause of illness before starting the treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of depression that patients report the most:
Altered Brain Chemistry
Depression can develop when key neurotransmitters become imbalanced. There is a significant imbalance of serotonin and dopamine which causes mood dysregulation. Patients suffer from emotional instability and persistent sadness or loss of interest.
Genetics
Having a parent or sibling who suffers from depression raises an individual’s risk by about threefold. However, a person without any kind of family history can also suffer from cancer.
Stressful Circumstances
Major challenges in life like the death of a loved one, divorce or inadequate emotional support can also lead to depression. A person suffers from poor coping abilities. Depressive symptoms get triggered among vulnerable individuals.
Medical Conditions
Chronic illnesses and long-term painful health concerns can trigger depression among patients. These health issues negatively affect the emotional well-being of a person. Moreover, it also increases the likelihood of developing depression over time.
Substance Abuse
Patients who are addicted to drugs are at a higher risk of suffering from depression. However, certain medicines can also make a person feel low or intensify undiagnosed existing symptoms.
What Are The Signs of Depression?
Depression symptoms vary by type and intensity. However, some of the most common symptoms of depression include:
- Low level of energy during the day.
- Feeling sad and hopeless consistently.
- Continuous irritability despite favourable circumstances.
- Drastic changes in appetite or weight.
- Excessive sleep or drastic alteration of sleeping patterns.
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks or making decisions.
- Patients at later stages also suffer from headaches or stomach aches.
Diagnosing Depression
Here is a foolproof depression diagnosis routine followed by mental health experts at Calida Rehab:
Patient Counselling and Interview
Diagnosis of depression involves a detailed analysis of symptoms by experts at Calida Rehab Centre. Doctors begin by understanding the frequency of mood swings, if any. Patients who are slow or feel low generally are interviewed thoroughly.
Doctors seek a detailed report of their daily functioning, sleep cycle and appetite. Since depression is not the same for every person, psychiatrists determine the type once the individual sessions are over.
Doctors may opt for screening tools like questionnaires and interviews for standardised assessments. The aim is to achieve an accurate diagnosis to understand the severity of the illness.
Detailed Physical Examination
Physical examination is done to rule out any ailment that could be causing depressive symptoms. Although no lab test can determine if a person has depression, blood tests help evaluate the person’s overall health.
Mental health experts with medical practitioners determine if conditions like high blood pressure, thyroid and high toxicology levels could be causing behavioural issues. CT and MRI further clarify if there is any abnormal brain activity that could be causing behavioural changes.
Depression Recovery Programs at Calida Rehab
Calida Rehab Centre offers a variety of treatments to treat patients suffering from depression. Once the patients are counselled properly, mental health experts select the most suitable type of treatment and start the process.
1. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, treats depression by discussing emotions. The mental health expert aims to discuss challenges openly to trace the cause.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy help a patient identify negative thoughts and improve interpersonal relationships. Patients manage stress and also change behaviours that worsen these symptoms.
The aim of the therapy is to build healthier coping mechanisms and foster emotional control. Psychotherapy helps regain confidence and supports setting achievable goals.
2. Medication
Depression is commonly treated with medication and psychotherapy. Primary care doctors and psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants. Therapists further provide additional therapeutic support.
Treatment options further include SSRIs and SNRIs. Atypical antidepressants, tricyclics and MAOIs are also prescribed because they offer certain benefits.
Certain doctors combine medication with mood stabilisers. Antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs and stimulants are also prescribed to patients for better behavioural results and effective management of symptoms.
3. Brain Stimulation Therapy
Many patients generally respond well to psychotherapy and medication. However, severe depression and accompanying symptoms may worsen with time. In such cases, experts at Calida Rehab recommend brain stimulation therapy.
4. Lifestyle And Home Remedies
While depression is not usually managed at home, professional help is necessary. However, self-care supports recovery. Experts encourage patients to follow their treatment plan consistently and not allow them to skip sessions.
Patients must learn about their condition and involve their family for better support. Doctors watch for early warning signs to prevent relapse. Alcohol and drugs must be avoided as they worsen symptoms.
They are encouraged to prioritise healthier habits like opting for a balanced diet and indulging in regular physical activity. They must get good sleep and follow an enjoyable routine. The ultimate aim of experts at Calida Rehab is to strengthen their physical as well as mental health.
Call our 24-hour free confidential helpline.
Treatments
Treatment Pathway
Stage | What Happens |
Assessment | A detailed mental health evaluation is done. Therapists assess the frequency of mood swings, quality of thoughts and general appetite of a patient. The medical history of a patient is assessed and a treatment plan is framed accordingly. |
Stabilisation | Medication and psychotherapy begins at this stage. The aim of the mental health health professional is to reduce the intensity of symptoms. However, safety and comfort of patients are ensured. |
Active Phase | Regular therapy sessions and medication adjustment continues. Patients learn new coping skills and manage negative thoughts accordingly. The aim is to help them go back to their original routine by training them to manage their condition somewhat independently. |
Review | Progress is carefully monitored. The treatment is adjusted based on improvement of symptoms and assessing the side-effects of medication, if any. Emotional well-being is also ensured for a sustainable and steady recovery. |
Maintenance | Consistent support through therapy is recovered. At this stage, lifestyle guidance is provided by offering emotional balance. Long-term mental well-being is the priority of patients. |
Treatment Duration
- Initial improvement: Symptoms start dissipating in the first few weeks. Change is noticeable in the first 2–8 weeks of the treatment.
- Active treatment: This stage includes the first 3–6 months. Patients start therapies and a regular treatment starts which also includes medication.
- Maintenance: Therapists ensure that the symptoms do not worsen over a period of 6–24+ months. Patients are encouraged to manage their symptoms independently. However, therapists keep patients under supervision.
- Rehab: Lasts 30–180 days after a patient reports not feeling better. Therapists could start the therapy again and even prescribe medication depending on the severity of the problem. However, it is a small window and patients recover faster.
When Is Rehab Recommended?
Rehab is highly recommended to patients if the following symptoms persist despite counselling and regular therapy.
- Low level of energy during the day despite proper rest.
- Feeling sad and hopeless consistently despite performing well at work.
- Continuous irritability despite favourable circumstances.
- Excessive sleep or drastic alteration of sleeping patterns following any traumatic event in life.
- Difficulty concentrating on routine tasks or making simple decisions.
- Patients at later stages also suffer from headaches or stomach aches. Other symptoms like body aches can also show up as the nervous system is under constant stress.
Treatment Cost Guide
Service | Expected Range |
Psychiatrist Consultation | Rs 500 – Rs 3000 |
Medication | Rs 1,500 – Rs 15,000/month |
Therapy Session | Rs 1,000 – Rs 5,000/session |
Residential / Rehab Program | Rs 25,000 – Rs 2,50,000/month |
Cost varies based on the duration of the treatment, category of medication, therapist expertise, and the level of care needed by a patient.
Most Suitable Treatment Option Based on Case Type
Case Type | Suitable Treatment Approach |
Mild | Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy and stress management techniques are introduced. Medication is not generally recommended at this stage. |
Moderate | At this stage, patients are administered psychotherapy and prescribed minor antidepressants. Regular follow-ups are suggested to prevent worsening of condition and for better emotional stability. |
Severe/Chronic | Intensive treatment is needed at this stage. Patients are prescribed strong medication but under professional supervision and care. Brain stimulation therapy may be considered at this stage if the symptoms of the patient do not subside. |
Dual Diagnosis | In case a patient is suffering from multiple mental health disorders, patients have to go through an integrated treatment. Treatment for these co-existing conditions include medication and dedicated therapeutic care. |
The final treatment is decided by the therapists after consulting a psychiatrist and a physician. The decision depends on the health of the patient, any co-existing disorders and on the condition of the mental health of a patient.
Start Treatment
Begin your treatment plan with a confidential consultation with the best therapist. Feel free to call us, message us on WhatsApp or book an appointment online. You can even request for a treatment plan via mail.
However, treatment plans depend on the condition of the patient. Medication and therapy are always provided under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our treatment programs, admission process, and what to expect during your recovery journey
Can treatment work without medication?
Mild cases may respond to therapy alone. However, therapists prescribe medication alongside psychotherapy in severe cases. An individualised treatment plan by a therapist is the best way to achieve a sustainable recovery outcome.
How long before improvement is noticeable?
Most patients feel better within 4–8 weeks depending on consistency and severity. However, the progress depends on response to medication, regularity of follow-ups and willingness to participate.
What is the duration of the treatment for depression?
The duration of treatment for depression depends on the severity of the disorder and the discipline of the patient. While mild cases may take a few months to recover from, severe cases can take longer extending up to several years to prevent relapse.
Is there any treatment plan available for full-time employees who cannot leave their jobs?
Online therapy sessions are the best bet for such patients. However, an offline appointment is essential for symptom analysis and medication management. Offline evening sessions can also be arranged to ensure consistency and proper medication management.
Experts Who Will Guide Your Recovery
Dr. Prashant Dasud
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 14+
Illnesses:
Depression & Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders, OCD, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Sleep Disorders
Geriatric Mental Health Issues
Dr. Santosh Pawar
Designation: M.D. (Radiodiagnosis)
Experience: 12+
Illnesses:
CT / MRI, Dementia & Memory Disorder, Neuro-radiological Evaluation, pine & Nerve Imaging,Head Injury & Neurological, Diagnostic Support for Mental Health
Dr. Neha Shetty
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 11+
Illnesses:
Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychosis, OCD, Drug Addiction,Mental Health Issues
