In a recent interview , actor Hrithik Roshan praised Bollywood star Deepika Padukone for opening up about her battle with depression. She launched a mental health public health campaign called “Dobara Poocho” (Meaning: ask again) at a hotel in Mumbai where she got emotional and teary-eyed while thanking her mother for asking her to seek professional help for her depression.
The Padmavati actress stated,
“Two years back, my family had come to see me. They were about to leave and I was all alone in my bedroom, curled up. My mother walked in and asked if everything was okay, I said yes. She asked again if it was work or something else that was bothering me, I said no. She asked me so many times that I felt myself choking and I broke into tears,” Padukone said through tears.”
Hrithik Roshan is the forerunner of the campaign #EveryDayHeroes which celebrates the people who have overcome their weakness with mental illnesses. Apart from him, director Karan Johar also joins the list of famous celebrities with depression stories.Though Hrithik Roshan stated that he has never suffered from clinical depression, he has seen it from close quarters and it is painful to watch someone suffer in silence.
He went on to say :
“Mental health is important. We all know that, but when it comes down to talking about matters like depression or OCD or anxiety, I feel people find it difficult to seek help even if it is a close friend, because of a wrong presumption that it is weakness or the person’s fault or that it makes them less in some form. This stigma needs to be destroyed.”
What are the signs/Symptoms of depression you should watch out for?
Depression is different from feeling sad or feeling low. Persons who experience depression have the following complaints lasting for several weeks to months. Symptoms of depression can be seen in all age groups. Children and the elderly should be specially monitored for signs of depression such as withdrawal from school activities, change in sleep and behaviour.
- Low mood or irritable mood most of the time
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slow or fast movements
- Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
- Lack of pleasure in activities you usually enjoy, including sex
How to treat depression?
There is no one ‘fixed’ mode of treatment to treat depression. The best way to treat is to find the reason behind this state , get yourself informed and find a suitable mode of treatment.
Tips before beginning treatment for depression :
- Be committed to be free from depression
- Learn to find out more about your depression
- Get social support to acquire help
- Communicate as much as you can
- Don’t rely on medications or self-medicating yourself
Changes in lifestyle that can help fight depression:
Sometimes a slight change in your lifestyle is all you need to lift your depressive state and keep your symptoms away once you start feeling better.
- Exercise: A regular 45-60 minute walk can do wonders for your mood. Not only does it help to relax, exercising helps the release of serotonin, ‘the happy hormone, ’ to remedy your mood.
- Nutrition: A well-balanced diet , eaten in small portions frequently throughout the day can keep depression away. Avoid eating foods with too much sugar, though complex carbohydrates can be consumed.
- Sleep: Mood and sleep have a direct connection. 8 hours of sleep is beneficial to relieve depression.
- Relaxation techniques like yoga , deep meditation also help.
Always take professional help, a psychologist or a psychiatrist for treatment of depression and do not suffer in silence, always communicate what you are feeling with a confidante, friend or mental health expert .
Here is a list of helpline numbers that can help you or someone you know to overcome depression:
- AASRA : 24×7 Helpline number: 022-27546669 .Visit their website Here
- Mental Health Helpline – 1860-266-2345
- Here is a list of helplines for people in other parts of the world
