Do you feel a lot of weight on your heart? Let's talk about depression.

There are days when you don't even want to get out of bed, you have no interest in doing anything? You feel empty, sad, and heavy. Everything seems to be boring. It may be normal for this to last for a day or two. But if this feeling weighs on your mind for weeks or months, and affects your daily activities, it may be something more than we think, namely depression. This is not weakness or pretense, but a real illness that requires treatment.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression is much more than just feeling sad. It affects your mind as well as your body. These symptoms may not be the same for everyone. But let's look at some of the common symptoms.

How can the doctor help?

There are effective treatments for depression, so never be afraid to ask for help. Your doctor can help you in several ways.

1. Talk Therapy

Sometimes talking about your feelings with someone you trust and who has been trained can be a great relief. A counselor or psychiatrist can help you understand your feelings, manage them, and find the strength you need to face life again.

2. Treatment with medication

Depression is often caused by an imbalance in certain chemicals in our brain, called neurotransmitters. Simply put, these are like messengers that control our mood.

The medications prescribed by the doctor work to rebalance these chemicals.

• One of the most commonly used classes of drugs is the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) . Examples include drugs like `Fluoxetine` and `Sertraline`. These are generally safe.
• But only your doctor can determine the right medicine and dosage for you after examining you. Never use other people's medicine or stop taking it without consulting a doctor.

In some rare and serious cases, the doctor may also consider other medical methods, such as `Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)`.

What things can we do at home?

Along with medical treatment, there are a few simple things you can add to your lifestyle that will go a long way in helping you recover faster.

Let's adopt a healthy lifestyle.

There is a big connection between your lifestyle and mental health.

• Sleep well: Try to get at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep a day.
• Exercise: You may not feel like exercising when you're feeling down. But make up your mind and do something like walking or running for 20-30 minutes. When you exercise, your brain produces endorphins, which are chemicals that make you feel happy. It's like a natural painkiller.
• Stay away from alcohol and drugs: While these may seem like temporary relief, they can make depression worse in the long run.

Let's also think about what we eat and drink.

What we eat affects our minds. It's important to eat a nutritious diet. Especially eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and fish. Research has found that the Mediterranean diet is very suitable for this.

Some people use herbal remedies like `St. John's Wort`. But don't use these without asking a doctor. They can interact with other medications you are taking.

Don't be alone, get out for a bit.

When you're depressed, you want to stay in your room alone. But that only makes the situation worse.

• Get some sun exposure: Get outside for a little while each day. Sunlight improves our mood.
• Talk to a friend: Call a trusted friend or family member. Share what's on your mind.

Let out what's on your mind.

Holding back emotions will only increase the pressure.

• Keep a diary: Write down your thoughts on a piece of paper. This will help you understand yourself better.
• Talk: Talk to someone you trust about what's on your mind.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

Depression is a serious condition, so don't delay in seeking help. If you experience any of the following, be sure to see your doctor.

What if it's an emergency?

If you are feeling like harming yourself or having serious thoughts of ending your life, please don't be alone.