Depression meaning in Hindi

Depression is commonly known as “Avsaad” or “Nirasa” in Hindi. There are vast words to describe the depression meaning in hindi. But to be specific, “Avsaad” is the actual meaning of depression in Hindi.

There are other words in Hindi, that are describe the events of depression indicating the meaning of depression like: Khin-nata, Mandi, Nirasa, Udaasi, Shaktihin, Neu-na-ta, Giraab, etc. These words are used to describe the feeling of depression in Hindi.

Synonyms of Depression meaning in Hindi

Hindi	English
Avsaad	Depression
Udaasi	Sadness, Melancholy, Gloom, Dejection
Nirasa	Sadness, Despondency, Despair, Hopelessness
Dhukha	Sorrow
Ka-uss Ta	Misery
Ha-yea	Woe

People of rural area, who are not much more exposed don’t have much know about the meaning of depression and what impacts can depression do in their career, in their whole entire life. In this article, we would try to discussion about the actual meaning of depression and some short overview about the treatment.

 

What is the acutal meaning of depression?

Depression is the mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, hopelessness and reduced energy, leading to impairment in day-to-day functioning. It commonly co-occurs with anxiety and is more prevalent among middle-aged females.

The major difference between depression & anxiety is depression is the mood disorder regarding the incidents that have already occurred causing feeling of sadness, hopelessness & loss of interest. On other hand, Anxiety is simply the feeling of nervousness & worry about the incidents that have not occurred yet. Simply, we could conclude that depression deals with the incidents related to past, and anxiety deals with the upcoming events.

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that affects people worldwide, with an estimated 350 million individuals suffering from it. The World Mental Health Survey conducted in 17 countries revealed that approximately 1 in 20 people experience episodes of depression. Depressive disorders often begin at a young age, impairing daily functioning and frequently recurring. Consequently, depression is the leading cause of disability globally in terms of the total number of years lost due to disability. There is a growing demand to address depression and other mental health conditions on a global scale.

Individuals with a depressive disorder are at a 10-fold increased risk of suicide compared to the general population.

There are different types of depressive episodes:

1. Single episode of major depression.
2. Recurrent episodes: two or more episodes of major depression.
3. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): low mood persisting for more than 2 years.

 

The etiology of depression involves several factors:

- Trimonoaminergic depletion: Reduced levels of serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine are observed in depression.

- HPA axis dysfunction: This is evident through a blunted response to the dexamethasone suppression test.

- Hypothyroidism.

- Pathology of the left side of the brain, predominantly involving the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex.

- Aaron T. Beck's cognitive triad of depression: Negative thoughts about self (worthlessness), environment (helplessness), and future (hopelessness).

 

Causes of Depression

Causes of depression are multifactorial i.e., genetic, biological, environmental, psychological factors or combination of all.

The pathogenesis of depression involves a genetic predisposition, especially when it onsets at an early age. Genetic predisposition is influenced by variants in numerous genes and loci with small effects rather than mutations in single genes. Adversity and emotional deprivation during early life also contribute to the development of depression.

Depressive episodes are often triggered by stressful life events, particularly those involving loss or imposed change, including medical illness.

Biological factors associated with depression include reduced functioning of the monoamine neurotransmitter system, including serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), as well as abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated cortisol levels that do not suppress with dexamethasone.

 

Signs & symptoms of Depression

Major depressive disorder is characterized by one or more major episodes of depression. The general criteria for a major depressive episode require the presence of at least five of the following symptoms for a minimum of 2 weeks, with one symptom being either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. The symptoms must also cause distress or impairment:

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day (dysphoria).
2. Marked decrease in interest and pleasure in most activities (anhedonia).
3. Fatigue or low energy nearly every day.
4. Decreased concentration or increased indecisiveness.
5. Insomnia or hypersomnia.
6. Increased or decreased appetite, or weight gain or loss.
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
8. Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
9. Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, or suicide attempt.

 

What is reactive depression?

Reactive depression refers to a type of clinical depression triggered by specific events in an individual's life, distinct from normal grief. It arises as a consequence of severe traumatic events, such as the loss of a home in a fire. Reactive depression becomes a clinical concern if it persists for an extended period without signs of recovery or if it deepens to the point of inducing suicidal thoughts. However, in many cases, reactive depression resolves on its own.

 

What is Melancholic Depression?

Melancholic or endogenous depression occurs in the absence of external life stressors and is mostly seen in the elderly. It is characterized by severe anhedonia, pronounced vegetative symptoms (e.g., early morning awakening, decreased appetite), profound guilt, and suicidal thoughts.

 

Investigations for depression are generally unnecessary unless there are clinical grounds to suspect an underlying medical disorder, such as Cushing syndrome or hypothyroidism.

 

Treatment of Depression

The treatment of depression involves both medication and psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Either approach can be effective alone, but a combination of both typically yields the quickest and most sustained response.

Pharmacotherapy, or drug treatment, is effective for patients with depression, whether it is primary or secondary to medical illness. Antidepressants from different classes, such as tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide), noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and SSRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine), and noradrenaline and specific serotonergic inhibitors (e.g., mirtazapine), are commonly used. These medications have similar efficacy, and about three-quarters of patients respond to treatment.

Successful treatment requires patients to take an appropriate dose of an effective drug for an adequate period. For those who do not respond, switching to another class of antidepressant may be beneficial. Patients should be monitored during their recovery, and treatment should be continued for at least 6-12 months to reduce the risk of relapse. The dose should then be gradually tapered off over several weeks to avoid discontinuation symptoms.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) inhibit the reuptake of the amines noradrenaline and 5-HT at synaptic clefts. They provide a noticeable therapeutic effect within one to two weeks, but adverse effects such as sedation, anticholinergic effects, postural hypotension, lowering of the seizure threshold, and cardiotoxicity can be troublesome during this period. TCAs can be dangerous in overdose and should be used with caution in individuals with coexisting heart disease, glaucoma, or prostatism.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are less cardiotoxic and less sedating than TCAs, with fewer anticholinergic effects. They are safer in overdose but may still cause QTc prolongation, headache, nausea, anorexia, and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, they can interact with other drugs, leading to an increase in serotonin (5-HT) and the development of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but potentially serious condition characterized by neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic hyperactivity, agitation, and, in severe cases, seizures, hyperthermia, delirium, or even death.

Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors inhibit noradrenaline uptake at the synaptic cleft but also have additional pharmacological effects. Venlafaxine and duloxetine act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, while mirtazapine acts as an antagonist at 5-HT2a, 5-HT2c, and 5-HT3 receptors. These drugs exhibit similar efficacy to the previously mentioned agents but have a different adverse effect profile.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors increase the availability of neurotransmitters at synaptic clefts by inhibiting the metabolism of noradrenaline and 5-HT. However, they are rarely prescribed in the UK due to potentially dangerous interactions with drugs such as amphetamines and certain anesthetic agents, as well as with foods rich in tyramine (e.g., cheese and red wine). These interactions can cause a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis due to the accumulation of amines in the systemic circulation.

Psychological treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, are as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. However, antidepressant drugs are generally preferred for severe depression. Drug and psychological treatments can be used in combination for optimal results.

The prognosis for depression varies. Over 50% of individuals who have experienced one depressive episode, and over 90% of those who have had three or more episodes, will likely have another episode. The risk of suicide in individuals with a depressive disorder is 10 times higher than that in the general population.