Ten percent of people are victims of depression, termed as ‘the common cold of mental health'. And what causes it? Padma Shri Dr. K. K. Aggarwal, a consultant physician and the Dean of Board of Medical Education, Moolchand Medicity ascribes its root to the fast-paced lifestyle of today. “We are more demanding now, we want to have everything and are never satisfied. Non-fulfilment of desire leads to anger and anger can be suppressive or expressive. Expressive anger leads to destruction and suppressive anger leads to depression,” notes Aggarwal, who has been organising Perfect Health Mela in the city for last 16 years.
According to the medico, depression can be manifest in difficulty in decision making, lack of energy, loss of interest in normal pleasurable activities, poor sleep and appetite, frustration and irritation. It is prevalent among all age groups in almost all walks of life. People of any age, whether children or adults, may develop depression symptoms, but the most critical period is that of puberty where a child undergoes many hormonal changes and is especially prone to mood fluctuations.
Now-a-days, a whole lot of holistic therapies are applied to heal acute and chronic depression. Besides prescription drugs, healing methods such as naturopathy, energy balancing and yogic techniques are extensively and effectively used throughout the world.
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Adopting a positive lifestyle can help one develop a healthy mind-body frame to avoid depression. Dr. Aggarwal points out, “Depression can be treated by cognitive behaviour therapy or by counselling. Multiple counselling sessions are required for it. Even in Bhagwad Gita, when Arjun was in acute depression, Lord Krishna had to take 18 sessions of counselling him”.
Referring to the recent cases of a scientist dying after consuming bottle gourd and bitter gourd juice, he states that it is not the vegetable which is responsible for any fatal consequences. “Nobody can die of a healthy consumption of lauki juice. Not just lauki but also all seasonal vegetables are good for health. Do not buy uniform looking vegetables, vegetables which look unnatural.”
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