Depression

Also known as MDD (Major Depressive Disorder), depression is the most common and disabling psychiatric disorder. It has various names and forms like mood disorder and dysthymia, and can occur at all ages specially child, adolescent and old age. Women are more likely to get it, as in premenstrual syndrome, post delivery and menopausal depression.

Warning signs are

1)       Mood affected, which is low with lack of Interest and enthusiasm, crying spells, feeling blue or sad. It may be severe enough to make the person feel helpless and hopeless.

2)       Thinking is slow and difficulty in concentration. Memory and planning is affected. There may be negative and pessimistic thoughts.

3)       Activity and behaviour slowed down. Social and occupational activities avoided. Basic activities like sleep and appetite is poor.

Action required

1)       Person or relative should seek help from a mental health professional and not regard it as a passing phase or try therapies like faith healing.

2)       Mild depression may require psychotherapy while moderate and severe depression requires drug therapy with psychotherapy.

3)       Suicide is a danger in depression and requires detection and early intervention.

4)       Treatment is usually effective and is directed towards remission of the disorder and prevention of relapse and recurrence.

Schizophrenia

It was better known as split personality / mind. Schizophrenia is now recognized as a brain disorder with dysfunction of dopamine resulting in a severe disorganisation of the personality and socio-occupational dysfunction. It affects youth and adults all over the world and is now amenable to treatment.

Warning signs are

1)       Disorganised thinking with delusions of persecution or grandeur. Hallucinations of hearing, seeing, taste or smell may occur.

2)       Inappropriate emotions or feelings like fear, aggression, shallow, silly or blunted.

3)       Behaviour affected, like fixed postures, mannerisms, communication difficulties, withdrawn and avoidance of responsibilities or decision-making.

Action required

1)       Most of the time, the person is not aware of the symptoms or may totally believe the delusions and hallucinations to be true and hence a relative has to take him / her to a psychiatrist.

2)       Modern drug therapy is the mainstay of the treatment process and has good results.

3)       Psychotherapy, social skills training and rehabilitation aid the recovery process and getting the person back to function.

Dementia

While it was treated as an inevitable part of aging, dementia is now being considered as a major disorder of ageing with known causes like Alzheimer’s and vascular disease. Drug therapy and new research has turned attitude of Nihilism and a dread of aging, to hope and optimism to all aged and their caretakers. With a rising elder population, early detection is a must.

Warning signs are

1)       Cognition is affected as in loss of memory usually recent, attention and speech is difficult and planning or organizing is clearly disrupted.

2)       Behavioural changes: As in personality disinhibition; moods change like depression, fear, and irritability. Sleep and eating habits change

3)       Activities of daily living decline; like bathing, dressing, shopping, and banking. Recreation and even hobbies affected.

Action required

1)       Recognition and evaluation of memory and functional decline noted by either the person or the caretaker by psychiatrist / neurologist.

2)       Treatment of risk factors like depression, hypertension, diabetes, and nutritional deficiencies.

3)       Approved drug therapy by anti-dementia drugs modify the course and take care of the symptoms.

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