What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

Anything that poses a threat or a challenge to our well-being can be termed as stress. Additionally, the manner in which you respond to a threat or challenge can also be termed as stress. Generally, when there is a threat, the immediate response of the nervous system is to release a flood of stress hormones. This includes adrenaline as well as cortisol, which prepare and instigate the body for immediate action. This gives rise to a number of physical changes like elevated heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, tightening of muscles, etc.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is generally described as a feeling of nervousness, worry or unease about something with an uncertain or unpredictable outcome.

Some of the common symptoms of stress and anxiety include:

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  • Stomach ache and muscle tension.
  • Panic attacks, particularly in social surroundings.
  • Rapid heartbeat accompanied by fast breathing.
  • Fatigue as well as trouble sleeping.
  • Restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Outbursts of anger without any reason.
  • Homoeopathy for Stress and Anxiety:

Homeopathy is effective because it is a holistic medical practice that treats the person as a whole and thus addresses the underlying issues that lead to stress. Homoeopathy recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and treats him/her accordingly.

Factors such as the mental/emotional state of a person, the location of the symptom, the behaviour of the person towards the symptom, susceptibility, family history, and more are addressed and analyzed by the practitioner, allowing her to recognize underlying causes of stress or anxiety experienced by the individual, and to administer a fitting remedy.

Thus, homeopathy can be used to address problems related to stress and anxiety very effectively.

Some homoeopathic remedies for stress and anxiety are discussed below:

    1. Medications like Argentum Nitricum as well as Tarantula are very effective in controlling hasty behavior in people who have marked issues with anxiety.
    2. Chamomile tea contains chemicals like apigenin and luteolin which help in calming your anxious state. Regular consumption considerably decreases the symptoms of anxiety.
    3. Ignatia and Natrum Muriaticum can be used in situations where long-term grief is the cause of stress.
    4. Kalium phosphoricum is recommended for people with elevated stress caused due to being regularly overworked beyond their physical and mental capabilities.
    5. Stress that results in impatience and anger can be addressed by medications such as Nux Vomica and Staphysagria.
    6. A person who in general is anxious and nervous can be administered with Arsenicum Album. It also works for people stressed due to the fear of contracting serious diseases.
    7. These are just a few of the commonly used Homeopathic remedies and are mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness of Homeopathic medicines in Menstrual Irregularity. It is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease

    Resulting in panic attacks or making them sleep with their hand over their heart. Anxious thoughts can increase at night making them avoid going to bed. They can even imagine that they see dead people. Frequently feel chilly. Cannot settle upon what he wants to do. Wakens up in the morning very fretful they can be prone to feeling cold and vulnerable to panic attacks.

    1. Kali phosphoric – A remedy for those with anxiety from feeling overwhelmed. Easily, stressed, startled and frightened. Oversensitive and delicate. Easily exhausted and irritable from exhaustion or anxiety. Physical ailments from worry, overwork, and overexcitement. They can fear having a nervous breakdown or fear something bad will happen. This is touted for those who are vulnerable to stress or becoming overwhelmed. Their anxiety stems from having too much to do or daunting ambitions. Their anxiety tends to take a physical toll on them as well.
    2. Lycopodium Clavatum – Lycopodium Clavatum is an excellent remedy for Anxiety Disorder when the patient has to appear in public for making a speech or otherwise with the fear that he or she will make mistakes, or will forget. However, such a person completes the task very efficiently once he or she gets started. The anxiety appears only at the beginning of a task and vanishes as the task proceeds.
    3. Phosphorus -Homeopathic phosphorus is thought to be good for social people with anxiety. When anxious or vexed, their thoughts get scattered and they have a difficult time focusing or getting things done. Their anxiety may be tied to a need for approval in social circles or from romantic partners.
    4. Pulsatilla -This is for people with childlike anxiety. They may need lots of reassurance and support from others to feel better.
    5. Silica – silica is indicated remedy for anxiety disorder. It’s for people who fear experiencing new things, talking in front of people, and getting a lot of attention. They tend to become workaholics to soothe their fears.
    6. Sepia – Sepia Officinalis is Homeopathic medicine of great help for attacks of anxiety accompanied by flushes of heat on the face and head. The other symptoms that guide the use of this Homeopathic remedy in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are irritability, anxiety in the evening time and faintness during anxiety.
    7. Stramonium – Stramonium is indicated remedy for anxiety disorder. This is for anxiety which also includes night terrors, nightmares, or dark thoughts while awake. People with this type of anxiety are often scared of the dark or being alone and are especially scared by thoughts of monsters or mysterious figures. Their imaginations tend to worsen their anxiety. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

     

    More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling, or both.

    Causes-It’s not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved, such as:

    Biological differences. People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may eventually help pinpoint causes.

    Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research indicates that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neuro circuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment.

    Hormones. Changes in the body’s balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause, or several other conditions.

    Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression.

    Symptoms-Although depression may occur only one time during your life, usually, people have multiple episodes of depression. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day, and may include:

    • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
    • Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration, even over small matters
    • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
    • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
    • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
    • Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people
    • Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
    • Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
    • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren’t your responsibility
    • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
    • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
    • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

    For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Other people may feel generally miserable without really knowing why.

Depression symptoms in children and teens

    1. Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.

       

      In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.

      In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.

      Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can demonstrate irritability without sadness or loss of interest. However, major depression can occur with ADHD.

      Depression symptoms in older adults

      Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:

      • Memory difficulties or personality changes
      • Physical aches or pain
      • Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, aches or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
      • Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
      • Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

      1. ARSENICUM ALBUM 200-Arsenicum album is one of the top remedies for depression. Arsenic patients express sadness, restlessness, and fear. Anxious, insecure, and perfectionistic people who need this remedy may set high standards for themselves and others and become depressed if their expectations are not met. Depression on account of a hidden feeling or guilt. Worrying about material security sometimes borders on despair. When feeling ill, these people can be demanding and dependent, even suspicious of others, fearing their conditions could be serious. Arsenic patients think that it is useless to take medicines for their depression.
      2. AURUM METALLICUM 200- Aurum met. Is another effective remedy for depression. Aurum metallicum patients are very serious people, strongly focused on work and achievement, who become depressed if they feel they have failed in some way. Nervous breakdown. Thinks of committing suicide but fears death greatly. Disgusted of life and thoughts. Profound despondency. Peevish. Rapid and constant questioning without waiting for answers. Oversensitive to noise. Discouragement, self–reproach, humiliation, and anger can lead to feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. The person may feel worse at night with nightmares or insomnia.
      3. CALCREA CARBONICA 200- A dependable, industrious person who becomes overwhelmed by too much worry, work, or physical illness may benefit from this remedy. Anxiety, fatigue, confusion, discouragement, self–pity, and a dread of disaster may develop. A person who needs this remedy often feels chilly and sluggish and easily tires on exertion.
      4. CONIUM MACULATUM 200-Conium mac. Persons are depressed during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Excitement causes mental depression. Timid. Weak memory. Afraid of being alone.

       

      1. CAUSTICUM 200- A person who feels depressed because of grief and loss either recent or over time, may benefit from this remedy. Frequent crying or a feeling of mental dullness and forgetfulness with anxious checking to see if the door is locked, if the stove is off, etc. are other indications. They are often deeply sympathetic towards others and having a strong sense of justice, can be deeply discouraged or angry about the world.
      2. CIMCIFUGA RACEMOSA 200-A person who needs this remedy can be energetic and talkative when feeling well, but upset and gloomy when depressed- with exaggerated fears of insanity, of being attacked, of disaster. Along with this painful menstrual periods and headaches that involve the neck are seen.