By Dr S P Pradhan on 2nd October, 2025
Severe depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. Women suffer more than men. Globally 5.7% adults suffer from depression.
The signs of depression
The core symptoms are
- Depressed mood
- Lack of interest or energy
Other symptoms are
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Sleep disturbance or Insomnia
- Decreased appetite or weight loss
- Inability to think or concentrate
- Hopelessness or feeling of guilty
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
ICD-11 or International Classification of Diseases-11 Criteria of Depression
For diagnosis of depression:
- The mood disturbance must lead to functional impairment
- At least five criteria including at least one core symptom must be present
- Duration should be for at least two weeks
Difference between ICD-11 and DSM Classification of Depression
The major difference between the two classification is inclusion of ‘ in ICD-11 which outweighs some other symptoms.
Underlying Causes of Depression
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Imbalance of brain Neurotransmitters:
An imbalance in neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain like serotonin and dopamine, can contribute to the development of depression. Decresed levels of serotonin found in depression.
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Family History:
A family history of depression can pose as a risk factor. Depression can also occur without a family history.
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Traumatic experiences:
Abuse, the death of a loved one, rape or significant financial problems, can lead to depressive episodes.
Stress can lead to imbalance of neurotransmitters leading to aggravation of symptoms of depression.
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Medical Conditions:
Chronic underlying health problems, including diabetes, cancer, chronic liver disease, heart disease, and chronic pain, are linked to an increased risk of depression.
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Substance Abuse:The abuse of alcohol, recreational drugs or substance abuse, sometimes antipsychotic medications can cause or worsen depression.
What is a Bipolar Disorder?
Sometimes depression is not only a single entity. It may be associated with a bipolar disorder. One spectrum may be a depressive low to another spectrum is manic highs. Bipolar disorder do coexist in a single person.
How to Control Depression
- Consult to a therapist of Psychiatrist: Consultant therapist can help in the rehabilitation patients with depressed mood.
- Exercise: Exercises help in relieving body and mind. regular exercise can help in secretion of ”serotonin”; which is known as happy hormone.
- Yoga: It has a great role to play in mind relaxation, activating our inner conscience, controlling power over our mind.
- Healthy Diet: Healthy diet has an effect in our Gut-brain axis. It positively influences the axis. Also some healthy foods can help in secretion of serotonin; thus helping in alleviating the mood. Including fruits and vegetables in daily diet keeps your gut healthy and also rich in antioxidants to fight diseases.
- Sleep Hygiene: Sleep disturbances are the major cause of psychomotor agitation or depression. Again depression leads to sleep disturbance. This is like a vicious cycle that goes on and on leading only to aggravation of symptoms.
- Social Connection with Near and Dear: Social connection with our own parents, siblings, relatives help to solve our problems, find a way out to tackle the unthinkable situation, mental support so stand tall and fight.
- Avoidance of alcohol and addiction to drugs: Addiction to alcohol and substance abuse deteriorate the situation, makes our mind blunt, incapacitates our reasoning capability. This can only aggravates stress and depression
Treatment for Depression
The treatment for depression depends on its severity. It involves psychological counselling with medical treatments with some medications. Psychotherapy often being the first line for mild cases.
Effective forms of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) . The common antidepressants are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Medication should be given under prescription of psychiatrist specialists and al side effects should be monitored.
Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, Yoga and a healthy diet can also help.
Some other management options are light therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be used for severe form of depression.
