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Depression


Depression is a psychological low feeling accompanied by sadness and loss of interest in regular social responsibilities and atmosphere. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a sudden change of lifestyle, mental and emotional stress, medication, hormonal changes or by after-effects of infections like flu and typhoid.

Symptoms
Depression entails a wide array of symptoms, such as persistent sadness and hopelessness; a feeling of worthlessness and helplessness; tremendous amount of guilt feeling; anxiety, irritability, and agitation; poor memory and concentration skills. It also flames in the patient persistent thoughts of suicide or death as also a desire to cry often. It can lead to a loss of interest in daily activities as also a change in sleep pattern. Depression can disrupt one’s appetite as well as weight, leading to sudden increases/decreases, and thereby cause a general lack of energy and easy fatigue.

Do’s and Don’ts
When you are dealing with a complex problem like depression, it is always safe to seek help and advice from a qualified physician. You should never start taking antidepressants on your own, without adequate medical advice and supervision. Many relaxation techniques, including regular exercises like aerobics and yoga as also the practice of meditation, helps relax both mind and body. To perform meditation, begin by sitting in a comfortable position, with your back straight and your eyes closed. Choose a word such as "Om" and repeat it silently to yourself. Keeping yourself and your mind busy and occupied helps but you should also take care to not follow a tiring routine that makes you feel overworked and exhausted. Identifying the cause of depression is the first step in overcoming it. You should confront the causes and treat each problem separately. When you start doing this, they will begin to appear less overwhelming. While it may be tough to admit that you are unable to handle the problem alone, involving another person or a support group will always be more helpful. It is good to talk and discuss your grievances rather than bottling them up and keeping them to yourself. As for what to eat, a diet of whole grains, lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, which contains a generous amount Vitamin B complex, Selenium and carbohydrates are helpful.


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