What is bad mood ? How can you tackle it ?

Where it comes from -Depression 

In recent times due to prevailing covid 19 situations, business and economy have taken the brunt. People have lost jobs, businesses shut down, and salary cuts, which have lead to financial instability in the economy. There have been lockdown and restrictions; all are confined to four walls of a home, leading to many physical and mental issues.

We all feel low moods from time to time, but some people, due to stress and isolation, experience these feelings intensely for a long period of time, leading to mental issues such as helplessness, sadness, irritability, and withdrawal from the soceity. So how do we reconise depression and how can we deal with such conditions.

Types of Depression

(a) Clinical depression:- It deal with individuals ability to function by emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states. It affects individuals in everyday life, work, or school.

(b) Bipolar disorder:- its deals with abnormalities of mood; it's most dangerous if not corrected.

Symptoms of depression

A person may feel sad, unhappy, lack confidence, unable to concentrate, withdraw from society, think he is a failure, have an irregular sleep, lose appetite, fatigue, etc.

How can we deal with the situation? 

First and foremost is to recognize symptoms of such conditions. It is also essential to assist a GP doctor, who would assess the conditions and prescribe medications or anti-depressants. There are multiple treatments and options available. The course of treatment is decided on the severity of the illness, physiological and social factors. Alternatively, a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed as a mode of treatment.

Few examples of the type of therapy 

(a) Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT works on the fact that a change in the person's behavior can improve thoughts and mood.

(b) Interpersonal therapy: This therapy focuses on helping the person improve their interpersonal relationships. It is a time-limited treatment with an initial, middle and final stage.

(c) Dialectical behavior therapy: DBT is a conversation-based approach that focuses on building skills such as distress, tolerance, emotional regulations. It also helps to create long-term goals and work towards them.

Above are a few therapies used by GP doctors.

Alternative therapies:- Very effective, natural therapy.

(a) Yoga therapy: Expressive art therapy, including music, movement, and drama therapy. These are less about a person's skill level and more about them using a particular medium as a way to make sense of their problems.

(b) Psychoeductions: it involves teaching a person about their illness, how it can be treated, and recognizing signs of relapse to get the treatment they need before a new onset of the illness. Family psychoeducation help reduces their distress, confusion, and anxiety.

(c) self-help groups and support groups: These groups give people a space to share their experiences and feelings and get information about treatment and therapy.

I feel a person should go into natural surroundings, drink lots of water, and enjoy the sunlight. Involve themself into society and keep mood postive.

How Can society play important role :

Many people with such conditions may not be willing to open up as they are going through or seek treatment. This is due to the overwhelming levels of stigma around the illness. As a person caring for someone with depression, as society or care giver you can educate about illness; signs; how they are recognized; options of treatment available.

We as society and family should be more understanding, supportive and caring. Speak and listen in empathetic and non judgemental manner. Encorage open comminucations between yourself and your loved one with depression.

Please encourage them to indulge in yoga, physical activity, and group activity; It is better to rely more on natural therapy to build back confidence and a good mood. May God bless all with a healthy and happy family.