Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Sept 22: “If you or your loved ones are suffering from depression, don’t panic or feel shy to consult health professionals. Depression is not a social stigma. It is like any other illness and anyone can be depressed. Recovery is certain provided there is timely intervention,” assured Dr Deepak Kumar Giri, the eminent and highly respected psychiatrist whose busy schedule has been multiplied with more cases of depression in its varied stages being reported since the COVID-19 pandemic times and the ensuing lockdown periods that have seen to loss of jobs and financial crunch.
In a tete-a-tete with The Avenue Mail on this issue, Dr Giri observed, “Economic reasons are one of the causative factors of depression. Economically or financially vulnerable persons can be affected by this mental turmoil. In fact, this is one of the prime causes for increased number of cases these days. I would rather say that in these times of financial and job crunch, hope is not to be lost and ways of knocking on the doors of opportunities should always be resorted to.”
The eminent psychiatrist stated that depression was the most common mental disorder confronted in the world today. About 50 percent cases went undetected or unrecognized. “Depression is a major public health concern in India and affects a large number of children, adolescents, middle aged and elderly persons, men and women included. The cases predominate urban, rural and slum areas of India,” observed Dr Deepak Kumar Giri.
He attributed multiple factors that resulted from complex mechanisms. Pointing to biological factors, Dr Giri said that 1/3 rd of the cases of depression were linked to genetic conditions. However, he said that evidence of the role of specific genes had not yet been established.
Addressing the psychological factors, he said that parental influences during early childhood gave rise to negative feelings. In the realms of social factors, he mentioned that familial, marital and parental relationships were associated with the onset of depression. “Economic factors too, as we discussed, play an intrinsic part in one’s mental vulnerability. People who experience acute or chronic economic adversities are more prone to developing depression,” Dr Giri stressed.
Dr Deepak Kumar Giri underlined 12 major symptom zones of people besotted with depression. He explained, “They are generally depressed. Their interest and pleasure in everything diminish. They feel fatigued or suffer energy loss. Their activities are reduced and they experience insomnia. They have a loss of appetite. Another disconcerting factor is their self esteem or self confidence takes a beating. They cannot think or concentrate. They suffer from feelings of guilt and their worthlessness. Concepts of helplessness and hopelessness shroud their feelings. They develop suicidal tendencies and they attempt to commit suicide.”
Symptomatic cases should be referred in conditions of severe depression marked by suicidal ideations. He said that failure after administering two or more antidepressants was another symptom including bipolar affective disorder and multiple co-morbid conditions that were SOS signs to seek and get professional help.
He suggested two lines of treatment were to be followed comprising administering antidepressant drugs that took two to three weeks to start serving their purpose and psychological process. “The psychological treatment process revolves on cognitive behaviour therapy, inter-personal therapy, group therapy, family therapy and marital therapy,” he explained.
The length of treatment period varied according to patients’ response to medicines. Dr Giri opined, “Antidepressant treatment should be maintained for at least six months after emerging from the acute phase. In case of relapse, medication may have to be continued indefinitely.”
A major poser by people is if a person undergoing treatment for correction of depression fit for continuing routine activities like studying or working. Dr Giri stated, “Yes, once the acute phase is over, the patient can pursue routine activities. Nowadays, medication is very safe and the chances of side effects are minimal. Even, during medication, there is no problem in working or studying.”
All hope is not lost as yet. Human life has encountered severe catastrophes through time and emerged victorious. One such major challenge is depression but fortunately, there is help to emerge out of the mental hollow. Once symptoms are identified, timely professional help and guidance will show that there is always a light at the end of the dark tunnel of despair. Eminent psychiatrist Dr Deepak Kumar Giri has been a Messiah to many and he makes the hope quotient soar.
