What Is Depression, And How It Affects Your Mental & Physical Well-Being?

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of people into depression and anxiety. While its negative impact on mental health has been widely talked about, little is done towards actually tackling it.

According to a survey by International Labour Organisation - a United Nations agency, half the world's youth population are subject to anxiety or depression-causing circumstances and more than a third are uncertain of their future career prospects due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ILO's 'Youth and COVID-19: Impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being' survey found that if urgent action is not taken, youths are at the risk of suffering severe and long-lasting adverse impacts from the pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Even before the onset of the crisis, the social and economic integration of young people was an ongoing challenge. Now, unless urgent action is taken, young people are likely to suffer severe and long-lasting impacts from the pandemic," the report said.

What is depression?

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person¡¯s everyday activities.

Getty Images

Depression is experienced in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

What causes depression?

There are several causes of depression - ranging from biological to circumstantial.

Family history. You¡¯re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.

Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.

Medical conditions such as chronic illnesses, insomnia, or ADHD may also put you at a higher risk of developing depression.

A history drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.

Symptoms of depression?

According to Healthline, "Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling ¡°blue.¡±"

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood, and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing, or come and go.

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.

Getty images

Mood swings, irritability, erratic sleep patterns, loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, thoughts of suicide, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, increased cramps, etc., are some symptoms of depression experienced in variations.

Treatment of depression

Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Seeking psychiatric help could be beneficial.

Rise In Cases Of Depression

Not being able to mourn with family members or face grief alone due to COVID constraints has led to an increase in cases of depression, anxiety, insomnia and other mental health disorders among people in Delhi who have been affected directly or indirectly by the pandemic.

Many hospitals and clinics in the national capital are showing a rise in the number of patients complaining of symptoms related to psychological ailments triggered by PTSD.

Medical experts in Delhi concurred that the family members were unable to grieve together after losing their dear ones to Covid due to safety constraints and social distancing norms. The second wave, in many cases, saw the whole family testing positive for coronavirus, and even after death, they couldn¡¯t conduct last rites, leading to sedimentation of grief inside that triggers mental health disorders, they said.

In several cases, even though there were no fatalities in the families, many people lost their friends, acquaintances or someone they knew closely, or they survived with great difficulty, adding to their mental stress.

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

People with pre-existing mental health issues are also more vulnerable to substance and impulsive behaviours during a pandemic. Restriction in lifestyles and fear of COVID-19, both have started taking a toll on their mental health.

Doctors at Delhi¡¯s Dr Kalyan Banerjee¡¯s Clinic, which sees rush even on regular days, are witnessing a significant rise in patients reporting with psychological and mental health conditions. The clinic has seen a 40 per cent spike in the number of patients complaining of symptoms related to mental health. About 2,500 prescriptions every month, as opposed to 1,750 prescriptions per month in the pre-pandemic era, are being given to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, and other related symptoms, doctors said.

If you know anyone battling with depression or other mental health issues, please reach out to someone who can help. AASRA Foundation: 022 2754 6669 Samaritans Mumbai: +91 84229 84528 / +91 84229 84529 / +91 84229 84530 Sanjivini Society for Mental Health: +911124311918