HOW TO PREVENT DEPRESSION

Medical condition which affects the mood and ability to function normally of affected person. It is normal to feel sad or anger as a reaction to life challenges or loss but when individual feel intense sadness, helplessness, worthless or anger which last for days to weeks and interfere with daily life it is Depression.

Stressful living in today’s  world has major impact on individuals mental health along with it, sudden outbreak of corona virus has impacted the day to day life of many individuals putting many people’s at risk of developing Depression. It is important to talk about mental health and make people aware about it, in the today’s time.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION ?

Various factors contribute in development of depression.

• Genetics : Having history of depression in family may put person at risk for depression.
• Hormone levels : Hormonal changes in female body during different periods like Postpartum period, menstrual cycle, menopause etc can raise risk of depression.
• Brain chemistry : Abnormal levels of brain chemicals may lead to depression.
• Early childhood trauma : Experiencing traumatic events early in life put person at risk.
• Substance use : Alcohol or drug abuse can affect the persons mental health and put individual at risk.
• Medical conditions : Some conditions like chronic illness, Stroke, Heart attack, Parkinson’s disease etc may put person at risk of depression.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF DEPRESSION ?

• Socio-economic status : Having financial problems and low socioeconomic status can increase the risk of depression in individuals
• Gender : Females are at more risk of developing depression than males
• Vitamin-D deficiency : Vitamin-D is helpful in production of serotonin in body which helps to improve the mood but Vitamin-D deficiency impacts serotonin secretion which may increase risk of depression

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION ?

Some of the common symptoms are :

• Fatigue
• Feeling anxious, sad or empty
• Crying a lot or without any reason
• Difficulty in concentration
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Loss of appetite
• Fluctuation in weight
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Feeling frustrated or irritated
• Change in sleep cycle
• Suicidal thoughts
• Self-harm
• Experiencing physical pain like headache, body aches, pain , digestive problems etc without any cause.

LIFE-STYLE TIPS FOR PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION :

• EXERCISE :Performing regular physical activities at least for 20-30 minutes helps to maintain body healthy. It stimulates the brain to produce endorphins that helps to relieve stress and fatigue improving mental health of individuals.
• DEVELOPING A HOBBY: Performing academic, creative or athletic activities that a individual loves can helps to reduce stress , Improve social connections and also enhance the mental health of individual. Doing something a individual love has positive impact on brain  and also improve production of Happy hormones in body.
• HEALTHY EATING HABITS : Consuming health diet rich in nutrients and minerals helps to achieve over all wellness. Eating food omega-3 fatty acid and B-12 rich foods helps to stabilize mood. Consumption of low fat complex carbohydrates helps to improve the level of serotonin hormone in body which contributes to feeling of calm , happiness and well-being.
• QUALITY SLEEP : Getting a sound sleep of 7-8 hours helps to relieve fatigue and stress along with improving the mood. So develop a consistent sleep schedule avoiding heavy meals, screen time near the bed time.
• MEDITATION : Meditation helps to assemble jumbled thoughts that crowd the mind and cause stress, negative thought , fear etc thus helps to relax the mind . It also helps to focus and concentrate giving new perspective to life.
• AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS : Alcohol and drugs have depressing affect on mind that can alter mood and cause stress . So avoid these substances and indulge in health drinks like green tea, Juices etc.
• MANAGE STRESS WITH ALTERNATE THERAPIES : Indulge in yoga, acupuncture , massages etc to relax mind and relieve fatigue and stress.

AYRVEDIC APPROACH :

In ayurveda depression comes under mano avasada. Nidan sevan like intake of unwholesome food, Tamasik food, Sedentary life , fear etc cause vititaion of kapha and tamas in the body which leads to decrease in pitta and vata activities thus causing depression.

PANCHKARMA TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

• Shiro dhara : The warm medicated oils used for shirodhara helps to soothen hypothalamus and also regulates the activites of pitutary glands thus regulating levels of stress hormones to effectively manage stressa nd mind fatigue
• Shiro Vasti : It has healing and soothing effects on head and structure within. It improves the blood circulation in head providing relieve from fatigue, anxiety and stress and calms the mind.
• Virechana : It helps to remove the accumulated toxins in the body and rejuvenates the body and mind thus relieving symptoms of depression
• Abhyanga : Deep tissue massage with medicated herbal oils improve blood circulation in body. It also relieves stress and relax the mind. Medicated oils also helps to balance the vitiated doshas.

HERBS TO PREVENT DEPRESSION :

• Brahmi : It is potent anti-oxidant and is traditional being used for fatigue, anxiety , memory loss, depression and insomnia. It have neuro regenerative capacity
• Jatamansi : : It is a great anti-stress and anti- fatigue herb in ayurveda. It helps to remove blocakge of brain and protect brain cells from harmful radicals. It is a great anti-epileptic herb.
• Turmeric: Curcumine the active ingredient in turmeric has ability to cross blood-brain barrier and help clear the plaque. Also improve neuron functions and encourage neuron growth.
• Ashwagandha : : It is a known adaptogen which helps to regulate production of cortisol and manages stress. It is an excellent ayurvedic herd used for centuries to strengthen mental faculties and improve sleep.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDIC CENTER MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION :

1. Brodley Syrup:

This syrup maintains the overall activity of the brain. As the herbs used for the preparation of this syrup are Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), etc. These all acts as a mind relaxant. The use of this syrup provides good results to the dementia patient. This syrup has the best memory boosting power and helps in increasing the blood flow to the brain. It is used as an antioxidant that increases retention power
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

2. Mann Mitra tablet:

Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha. CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well. It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi, Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

3. Rasayan Vati:

Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral Ayurvedic formulation which contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi, Abhrak Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, , Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Brahmi, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immune-modulator properties. These tablets provides good results in General debility, Psychological disorders, and improves immunity.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

4. Calm Sleep tablet:

calm sleep tablet is an amazing combination of natural herbs like bhang, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stressful conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to calm minds and make your body relax and light. In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. vata, pitta and Kapha, it leads to disease. Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind. calm sleep tablets is effective in depression, anxiety, insomnia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and hypertension.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a daily.

5. Brain relaxant churna:

This churna is a pure Ayurvedic preparation which contains Amla (Emlica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha gandhak, Lauha bhasma, etc. It is mainly used for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, speech problems, to improve the intelligence and also beneficial in sleep disturbances, panic attacks, phobia, and relieves stress.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablespoonful twice daily.

6. Stress care tablet:

Stress care tablets are pure herbal formulation prepared from ingredients like Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentine), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostacys jatamansi).The herbs used for formulation of these tablets show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-depressant, & immune-modulator properties. These herbal tablets gives good result in Stress, Depression, Anxiety, All neurological disorders, Increases intelligence, and Improves memory.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.