Gossips, agony aunty issues, missing maid crisis, handling the significant other, predicting what’s happening next in the daily soap are some of the most favorite and widely discussed topics over coffee, tea and dinner. But we live in a nation, where discussing mental ailments on a coffee or dinner table is still a taboo. When the Bollywood Diva, Deepika Padukone came out in public about her problem and spoke about the unspoken, it surely did send shock waves.
As CS Lewis says – “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also harder to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden; it is easier to say “My tooth is aching’ than to say “My heart is broken”. The dangerous D i.e. Depression has been gripping the nation too hard lately, but as of now a very few people are ready to talk about it.
Aasra is a suicide helpline which works round the clock and is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This helpline on an average receives about 50 calls daily from people who are almost on the verge of suicide and are seeking out help. The counselors hold conversations ranging from 2-3 minutes to hours at length with the caller.
According to a study done by WHO (World Health Organization), one in every 13 Indians runs at the risk of developing symptoms of depression. In another study conducted in the year, 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability in the world. Another set of statistics revealed that by 2030 this mental ailment will be the leading contributor to world disease burden.
In the Indian society, fighting with this mental ailment becomes an even tougher task because of the social stigma that is attached to it. People who suffer from dark thoughts, mood swings, loneliness and other symptoms of depression feel a hitch in sharing it with their family, friends or even doctors.
According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry,
Depression is a disorder of major public health importance, in terms of its prevalence and the suffering, dysfunction, morbidity, and economic burden. Depression is more common in women than in men.
Depression is most often diagnosed during the prime phase of a person’s life, i.e. from ages 24 to 44. According to studies conducted, one in four women and one in 10 men will confront depression at some point in their lives.
In the opinion of many doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, early identification of symptoms and proper treatment procedures can help patients come out of depression in a shorter span of time. Here are some symptoms of depression, which can ring the alarm bells for many:
- Sad mood
- Constant lethargy
- Lack of interest
- Easy irritability
- Disturbed sleep
- Irregular appetite,
- Negative thoughts that includes -low self-confidence, ideas of worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness
A long and prolonged suffering may also give birth to suicidal tendencies in an individual. Surprisingly, in India, the statistics for suicide every year is reflecting an upward rise, which in no way is a good sign. Mental health in the Indian subcontinent has always been ignored and paid least heed; therefore, many individuals suffer from serious mental ailment but never manage to get proper treatment.
“The issue of mental health in India is a serious one. People suffering from mental illnesses like depression do not feel comfortable talking about their condition. Going to a psychiatrist or a counselor is also not an option as that is socially frowned upon as a sign of weakness or instability. The whole outlook towards mental illness needs to be reconsidered and people with such disabilities should be encouraged to seek professional help. Telling a person to have a positive outlook is as good a cure for depression as for stomach ache or cancer. The disease is real and the consequences for the sufferer are severe” stated Shivangi Jain, PhD student, cognition and brain science program, Georgia Institute of Technology.
Most people in India attach mental ailments to superstitions which worsens the scenario to a great extent. Patients are often tied to chains, put in an unhealthy environment and often go without food for days. Even in the urban society, people would not mind visiting the doctor for a common flu or cold, but when it comes to visiting psychologists, hesitation grips them hard.
But isn’t it worth thinking of the reasons which have led to a sudden increase in the no. of cases of depression reported each year in India. One of the major reasons has been the ever increasing stress levels in the subcontinent. From getting the highest marks in school to a hefty salary package to buying your own house/car, marrying the right guy/girl, the society has burdened each one of us with responsibilities that never come to an end. Excessive expectations to excel in every field of life, societal pressures and being unsatisfied with what you have are the factors that contribute mainly to depression.
“Depression being both a psychological as well as a physical phenomenon is caused by sudden drops and lifts of certain hormones. It can be done away with small make believe exercises that involve human to convince your brain. Firstly, one must constantly remind oneself “that dying is way more painful than life, so you must live!” Another good way of keeping the negative thoughts away is to start rejoicing in small things like your favourite team winning the game. Feel the happiness of that win as if it was your very own” comments Nishtha Mishra, a research scholar, University of Allahabad.
