Introduction
Depression is an age-old disorder that has been prevalent since the 19th century. It is an illness involving the mind and the body. Mental state in depression includes low feeling, aversion to activity etc.

Depression can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, asthma, and many other medical illnesses.

Furthermore, it can increase the illness and death from these and many other medical conditions. Depression ranges from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe depression, medically known as ‘major depression’. About 18% of population suffers from clinical depression at least once in their life before the age of 40. According to WHO (World Health Organization) clinical depression is expected to become the second larger cause of disability worldwide after heart diseases by the year 2020.

Homeopathy can be a tonic for patient suffering from depression. It can break free the person from depression. Theses medicines also help in preventing relapse of the symptoms if taken regularly.

Are Depression & Diet Related?
Research shows that people eating junk food like burgers, pizzas, etc. were more likely to report symptoms of depression while those who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fruits were less report symptoms of depression.

• Alcohol & Depression – What are the Risks?

• Alcohol itself is a major depressant and can make it worse.
• Alcohol decreases one’s resistance power to fight illness
• Alcohol causes changes in sleeping patterns by affecting the sleeping centre in brain.
• Thus, alcohol has a negative impact on health.

Seasonal Affective Depression
It is a type of depression affecting certain people in the same time every year. It affects people more during the winter season than during summers.

Causes

• Depression runs in families.
• Sudden hormonal changes like puberty, birth of a child, menopause, are also responsible, etc.
• Intakes of junk food like pizzas, burgers, etc.
• Intake of Drugs and Alcohol.
• Prolong stress, tensions, etc.
• Certain Medications for high blood pressure, cancer do have depression as a side-effect.

Symptoms

• Feelings of hopelessness, crying spells.
• Anhedonia or inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events such as social interactions, eating, etc.
• Feeling of sadness, gloom – referred to as ‘blues’.
• Many new moms experience gloomy thoughts after child birth known as ‘baby blues’
• Loss of interactions with family or friends.
• Significant weight loss or weight gain.
• Sleep Disturbances like lack of sleep, oversleeping, etc.
• Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and/or weight gain.
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts.
• Poor school performance in children.
• Frequent complaints of problems such as headaches and stomach-aches.
• Increased talking speed and/or volume.

Do’s

• Relaxation techniques like exercise, yoga must be practiced everyday as they help in recovery.
• Change in approach towards life is the key.

Don’ts

• Smoking and alcohol should be stopped.
• Avoid junk food like pizzas, etc.

Diagnosis
Depression is diagnosed through questionnaires thus asking into the patients’ personality, mental condition, life situation, etc. A thorough diagnostic evaluation includes a complete history of the patient's symptoms:

• When did the symptoms/ailments start?
• How long have they lasted?
• How severe are they?
• Have the symptoms occurred before and if so, were they treated and what was the treatment received?

Role of Homeopathy
Homeopathy is an individualized form of treatment and therapy. As every person is different from each other, the disease picture obtained will also be different. Hence, each person will have his own characteristic symptoms besides the symptoms of the disease. For e.g. If a story is told to few people, each one will narrate it differently using his own words, language, etc.

Homeopathic Treatment is the best as it offers relief from depression without any side-effects. ‘Acute Remedies’ are given to combat sudden, acute attacks and brief episodes. ‘Constitutional Remedies’ are remedies selected upon the patient’s genetic and mental make-up, personality and lifestyle. ‘Interrcurrent Remedies’ are remedies which are given if there is no further improvement in symptoms.

Homeopathy does not treat the disease but treats the diseased individual. It deals with the person suffering from the disease and not the disease per se. To be specific they act upon the Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine Axis and optimize its functioning.

Homeopathic Medicines play a vital role in the management of depression by helping him to build a positive approach towards life. They positively influence the psyche and act upon the mind, body and soul. Within a few weeks of regular treatment the person feels better; all his ‘blues’ disappear. He feels lively and energetic as his negative thoughts and feelings are replaced by positive thoughts.

Homeopathic medicines should be taken after consultation from a Homeopathic practitioner. They are completely safe and effective and side-effect free and are not habit-forming. They act effectively on adults, children and pregnant ladies.

Counseling and Psychotherapy are also useful along with Homeopathy. As depression is a lifestyle disorder, exercise and relaxation techniques are advised during treatment as they help recover faster.