YOUR HEALTH with Dr . Thakkar
YOUR HEALTH with Dr . Thakkar
IS IT REALLY JUST THE WINTER BLUES ?
Depression is sadly all too common a condition which can have disastrous consequences for both the individual and their family . Unfortunately a significant number of people fail to recognise they are depressed , or indeed they don ’ t seek help despite knowing they are depressed .
The features of depression could probably be split into physical symptoms often referred to as biological symptoms , and symptoms of the mind sometimes known as cognitive features . The biological features include waking early in the morning , or oversleeping , poor concentration and memory , low libido and over or under eating .
The cognitive features include not enjoying life for several weeks or more , anxiety , or lack of motivation , poor outlook for the future and low self-esteem .
Depression can become so severe that patients may stop functioning day to day despite having responsibilities , or they may think there is no way out except to end their own life . Severe depression may merge into psychosis where the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred . In those situations patients may , for example , absolutely believe they are being watched or followed , that they are truly rotten inside , or they themselves are dead . They may hear voices which sound real telling them that they are useless and rubbish . The voices may tell patients to harm themselves or others .
There are several causes of depression and these may include alcohol misuse , a reaction to a major life event , chronic illness , post natal depression , part of bipolar disorder , season affective disorder ( SAD ) and some biological causes such as thyroid disease or high calcium . For many patients there is no identifiable cause .
The hardest step when suffering from mental health is to admit there is something wrong and to get advice early . A huge amount of help is available and this includes self help books and websites , support from your general practitioner , charities , counsellors , psychologists and psychiatrists . Strategies include helping patients develop coping strategies , dealing with people and situations more effectively , seeing the glass half full rather than half empty , and resolving past psychological traumas .
Modern antidepressants are very effective and are not addictive . These can be offered independently or in conjunction with psychological therapies .
The key message here is that depression is common and dangerous . Admitting there is a problem and seeking advice early is essential .
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Dr . Thakkar is a GP at Pound House Surgery
Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group