Depression is a serious mood disorder that can affect your daily life. It makes you feel sad, lazy, and at times even angry at life. It is a disease that needs treatment. Fortunately, there are treatments that can cure this disease.

While the exact reason is not known, many factors can lead to depression. These risk factors include 

Changes in the brain structure: Some changes in the brain structure and the chemicals in the brain can be a factor.

Hormonal changes: Events like pregnancy, menopause, thyroid problems

Family history: If there is a family member with depression, you are at a higher risk

Traits: such as low self-esteem, pessimism or self-critical

Stressful events: like the death of a loved one, bad relationships, financial issues, etc.

Substance abuse- alcohol, drugs, etc.

Some medicines - used for hypertension, blood pressure, etc. can cause depression.

Some diseases like cancer, heart disease, psoriasis, etc. can lead people into depression.

The main signs include

Mood changes such as anger, anxiety, getting irritated soon, crying, etc.

A feeling of emptiness, being sad for no real reason

Loss of sexual interest and drive

Not able to concentrate

Not able to complete tasks

Sleep issues like not sleeping in the night or sleeping for too long

Feeling tired easily

Drinking in excess

Weight gain or Weight loss

Issues with digestion

Headaches, body pains

Feeling hopeless

 

You will have these signs almost every day.

Depression is a serious condition that needs treatment. It can get worse if not treated in time and can lead to other issues. These include

Heart diseases and diabetes due to weight gain

Alcohol or drug abuse

Suicide attempts

Relationship issues

Causing injury to self

Withdrawing from society

Panic attacks

There are many different types of depression. The main ones are

Major depressive disorder - It is a common and severe form of depression. You will feel the signs throughout the day. It does not need a reason to happen, but it needs treatment.

Persistent depressive disorder - In this, the symptoms will not be as severe. It can last for two years or more. 

Bipolar disorder - This type has mood swings, where you will have times when you feel very happy and will be very sad at other times. 

Postnatal depression - It occurs in some women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Hormonal changes, changes in sleeping patterns, lack of support are all causes for this.

Seasonal depression - It usually happens in some seasons, mostly winter. Gloomy weather with less or no sunlight can create issues for many people.

Situational depression- Events like the death of a loved one, separation from a partner, legal troubles, etc. are the normal reasons for this type.

It is better to consult a doctor at the earliest if you feel you have depression. They will ask questions about your signs, feelings, thoughts, and behavior. 

The doctor may also ask for some blood tests to rule out other conditions.

'Mano Avasada' is the name for depression in Ayurveda. There are treatments in Ayurveda for this problem.

Ayurveda is an ancient medical system in India. It has a long history of more than 3000 years. You will find mentions of Ayurveda in the old Vedic texts. 

Ayurveda means the science of life in Sanskrit. It views your body, mind, and soul as a whole. So, the treatments in Ayurveda are holistic. 

As per Ayurveda, everything in this world is a combination of the five natural elements, earth, air, water, fire, and space. These elements combine to form doshas or energy forces.

All of us have three basic energy forces or doshas within us. These are

Vata - air and space elements make up this dosha. It controls all the circulation, movements and air movement in your body.

Pitta - This dosha has fire and water elements. It is the energy behind your digestion. 

Kapha - This dosha, having the elements of earth and water, gives your body the form and structure.

 

When these doshas are in balance (as during birth), you will be healthy and vibrant. Some events or choices that we make in lifestyle, diet, etc. can change the balance of these doshas. When they are not in balance, you will have issues with your health.

There are many factors that can lead to this condition. Some of the main ones as per Ayurveda are

Intake of food items which are not compatible with each other (e.g., Fish and curd)

Consumption of cold and heavy food

Excess sleep

Fear 

Grief

Inactive lifestyle

 

Ayurveda views depression as a Kapha disorder. However, Vata and Pitta imbalances can also be a reason. The signs differ slightly based on the particular dosha.

The signs of depression due to aggravated Kapha are

General lethargy

Heaviness

Dullness

Excessive sleep

A lack of interest

 

If it is due to Vata aggravation, the signs are

Anxiety and fear without reason

Insomnia - Sleepless nights

Forgetting things

Paranoid feeling

Pitta imbalance will show signs such as

Anger

Being irritated easily 

Self-harming behavior

Alcohol or drug abuse

The treatment includes therapies, internal and external application of medicines. Panchakarma methods form the basis of the treatment. The modalities of the Ayurvedic treatment for depression include Ayurvedic “Poorvakarma” therapies such as

Shirodhara - It involves the pouring of specially prepared oil medication over your head. It helps to calm your nerves, improve memory, better sleep quality, and reduce stress.

Abhyanga - Medicated oil massage all over your body

Thalam - A mix of medicated oil and herbal powder is applied and retained on your head for some time. 

Snehapana – A method of attaching to the fat-soluble body toxins by drinking medicated Ghee or oils

And panchakarma therapies such as:

Vamana - It is an induced vomiting method. You will have medicines that will make you throw up the toxins from your body. It helps in removing toxic waste in your body from the respiratory and intestine tract.

Virechana - Or induced purging is another cleansing method to flush out the toxins from your body. 

Nasya - Here, you will be given medicines through the nasal route. It clears any blocks in the nasal channels and helps in relieving stress.

 

You will need to be in the hospital for 18-21 days for the treatment. Your diet will be as per the advice of your doctor. While it is not mandatory, it is better to have a family member or friend during that period. 

You may have to continue medicines at home even after the treatments for some time.

The options include medications and psychotherapy. 

The medicines are mainly anti-depressants. These medicines can have serious side effects. So it is best to take doctor's advice before having them.

As we do not know what causes it, we will not be able to prevent it. Even people with good health, happy families, and decent jobs suffer from depression at times. 

However, there are some steps that you can take to reduce the risk. These are

Ensure you do regular exercises- It helps increase the endorphin hormone production in your body, improving your mood.

Reduce alcohol intake

Stay away from drugs

Make sure that you get enough sleep

Have good and strong relationships with people so that you can discuss your issues with them

Find new habits to engage your mind

Practice Yoga and meditation