Depression Specialists in Chandigarh

What is Depression?

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, lasting for at least two weeks and significantly impairing daily functioning. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and handles everyday activities such as sleeping, eating, and working, and can range from mild and manageable to severe and disabling. Depression arises from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors rather than simple sadness or a personal weakness. It is highly treatable, though it often goes undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma and lack of awareness.

Causes of Depression

Results from a complex combination of genetic predisposition, chemical imbalances in brain neurotransmitters, and environmental factors such as trauma, chronic stress, or significant life changes. Other contributing factors include chronic medical illness, substance use, certain medications, and a family history of depression or other mental health conditions.

Symptoms of Depression

Persistent sad or empty mood, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue and low energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, restlessness or slowed movements, thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment & Types of Depression in Chandigarh

Treatment typically combines psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, with antidepressant medications that help regulate brain chemistry, particularly for moderate to severe cases. Lifestyle measures including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and social support play a supportive role, and severe treatment-resistant cases may benefit from newer interventions like electroconvulsive therapy.

Depression includes several recognised subtypes, including major depressive disorder, characterized by discrete episodes of low mood; persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), a milder but longer-lasting form lasting two years or more; seasonal affective disorder, linked to reduced light exposure in certain seasons; and postpartum depression, occurring after childbirth. Severity is also classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on symptom number and degree of functional impairment, which guides treatment intensity.

Psychiatry Specialists in Chandigarh (0)

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