Do you know before creating the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling was clinically depressed?

Leading Indian actress Deepika Padukone was once a depression patient.

Anuksha Sharma another leading actress was treated for her depression. She once tweeted.

I have anxiety. And I’m treating my anxiety. I’m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this? Because it’s a completely normal thing. It’s a biological problem. In my family, there have been cases of depression. More and more people should talk openly about it. There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide.

(More than one tweet obviously)

Major depression often goes undiagnosed or untreated because people suffering from it won’t know it or those around them don’t recognize its signs. This is usually an invisible disorder.

According to WHO, Depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. WHO report also indicates;  India is one of the most depressed countries in the world

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru released a mental health survey that said one in every 20 Indians suffered from some form of depression.

There are chances that you are also suffering from depression and you may not know.

Depression causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

One of the most common indicators of depression is social withdrawal. A person may stop responding to phone calls, emails, and texts; keep canceling plans to meet with others, and start staying home all the time.

Other signs of depression to watch out for include:

• Loss of interest in activities the person once enjoyed or did regularly.
• Changes in sleep habits, such as sleeping too much or too little.
• Changes in appetite, whether it’s eating too much or too little.
• Anxiousness, irritability, and fatigue.

Depression is a mental problem and therefore we don’t discuss it openly. Our society has assumed that to be known as a mental patient is equal to being a lunatic/mad or insane person. This is the reason people avoid talking about depression in open and even avoid going to the doctor for the treatment.

Anuksha’s tweet further says;

If you had constant stomach pain, wouldn’t you go to the doctor? It’s that simple. I want to make this my mission, to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this.

Going to the doctor for the treatment is perfectly normal because untreated mental health can lead to physical health decay.

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WHO recommends the following actions when you feel down or depressed;

1. Talk to someone you trust, about your feelings.
2. If you think you are depressed, seek professional help. Your local healthcare worker or doctor is a good place to start.
3. Keep up with activities that you have always enjoyed, or find alternatives if
4. Previous activities are no longer possible.
5. Stay connected. Keep in contact with family and friends.
6. Eat at regular intervals and get enough sleep.
7. Exercise regularly if you can, even if it’s just a short walk.
8. Avoid or restrict alcohol intake and only take medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Exercise can greatly help in the case of depression.  In their article The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed the author Lynette L. Craft, Ph.D. and Frank M. Perna, Ed.D., Ph.D., writes;

”Many studies have examined the efficacy of exercise to reduce symptoms of depression, and the overwhelming majority of these studies have described a positive benefit associated with exercise involvement.”

Research also suggests that the benefits of exercise involvement may be long-lasting. Depressed adults who took part in a fitness program displayed significantly greater improvements in depression, anxiety, and self-respect.

Data regarding the positive mood effects of exercise involvement, independent of fitness gains, suggest that the focus should be on the frequency of exercise rather than duration or intensity until the behaviour has been well established.”

Yoga can play an important role in curing depression. Anxiety, stress or depression all are connected with our mental health. Yoga, i.e. combination of Asana and Pranayama can greatly influence our mental health. Right breathing can cure many mental problems.

This text from Hathapradapika says,

“Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogî gets steadiness of mind.”

The practice of Pranayama can greatly boost the mental steadiness and which in turn helps in curing the mental disorder.

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There are certain asanas, which impact our nervous system.

1. Paschimottanasana ((Seated Forward Bend
   to Plow Pose)

Effects: Brings relief from despondency or anxiety, energizes your whole body, and makes you feel more alive.

2. Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward-Facing Bow Pose),

Effects: Improves circulation, stimulates the nervous system, and generates a feeling of well-being.

3. Balasana (Child’s Pose)

Effects: Releases spinal muscles after backbends and calms your nerves.

4.         Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand)

Effects: Relieves irritability. Balances the
emotions by quieting and nourishing the nervous system. Also, balances the endocrine system.

5.         Halasana (Plow Pose)

Effects: One of the most quieting poses for the nervous system; relieves irritability.

Asana postures are deliberately not given as practicing without proper guidance can be harmful. Consult your Yoga trainer and learn from her.

SUMMARY:

• Depression is an invisible problem, therefore, goes untreated.
• Accept the reality and consult your doctor.
• Famous personalities also suffer from depression and they talk freely about it.
• Depression is not a social taboo.
• Meet people, friends and do regular activities you enjoyed.
• Depression can be treated with counseling and medication.
• Exercise, Yoga, and Pranayama can greatly help in the recovery of the patient.

“How is it that we have over 6 billion people in the world and half of them feel alone?”
― Nikki Rowe

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This is the status of half of the human being on the earth. Depression is very well a possibility. Don’t ignore the signs. Early detection can cure without much of the damage.

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