[thoma]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Many of us go to gyms or workout for physical fitness. what about the psychological/ emotional part? any exercise routine for that?

We have yoga for that. It helps the mind as well as the body a lot. Even physical activities are good for the mind too.

Psychotherapy (counselling) could help, if taken from a good therapist. Classical homeopathy too can help, provided you have a lot of patience and get a good doctor. I would strongly advice against allopathic medications unless for a very short period of time, in case of psychological issues. Else, I believe, the medication might add to further complications.

[selfdrive]

bhpians, please note I only posted this out of concern for a friend who I know is going through this. the objective was to raise awareness for fellow bhpans as someone around you may be going through this too.

mods, I have already reported my original post for deletion. I hope this can be deleted before other bhpians spend time and effort in responding to a question for which answers are not expected.

[carfreak]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

So how does one deal with depression? And how does one deal with other people when they are depressed? Links to articles are welcome too.

Hi being a psychiatrist myself i see people who have depression on a daily basis and i can understand many of the issue you have raised especially the way society sees such people.In India (and in most developing nations) it is alright to say one has a physical illness but an illness of the mind?-that is just plain 'acting' or 'something not real' and they just shrug it off.Because what is not seen or what cannot be demonstrated through laboratory tests etc. cannot be real.

Anyway we cannot debate on that issue here and it is OT.Regarding dealing with depression, please be informed that medications are very useful and unlike what some say are not to be avoided.But yes, a combination of medications with other coping strategies, including psychotherapy (i will not say 'counselling' as the 2 are very different though used together by lay people) works best!

And not all psychiatric medications induce dependence!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

mods, I have already reported my original post for deletion. I hope this can be deleted before other bhpians spend time and effort in responding to a question for which answers are not expected.

You raised a point that is valid and, as you can see from carfreak's post, has answers.

Mental illness is not rare: it is actually very common. Depression is a mental illness. I was going to say that doctors can treat it just as they can the common cold --- but that would be way wrong, as there isn't much that can do for the common cold!

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

You raised a point that is valid and, as you can see from carfreak's post, has answers.

yes it does though I wasnt looking for them. to be honest thats a bit selfish of me. I do appreciate the answers and the efforts.
I would like to know what I can do to alter my behaviour with a person who has depression. It is a very fine line indeed. if I enquire too much, the person retreats into a shell. then I stop asking and that person starts feeling ignored. it is almost like them wanting to talk but choosing not to.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Mental illness is not rare: it is actually very common.

what is rare is someone admitting to suffering from it here.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Many of those of us who have lived more than a couple of decades are likely to have suffered from something such as depression in our lifetimes, and to have been medically treated for it. We should recognize that it is no big deal; no stigma.

Although life can trigger depression, it is not the same as unhappiness. If it is plain to see what is causing the problem, then it is not depression: when a person just feels low but does not know why, a visit to doc can help.

I would like to know what I can do to alter my behaviour with a person who has depression. It is a very fine line indeed. if I enquire too much, the person retreats into a shell. then I stop asking and that person starts feeling ignored. it is almost like them wanting to talk but choosing not to.

It is one of those things where a person needs to realise they have a problem and be prepared to be helped. Sometimes they just don't want help!

[abdriver2000]

One of my best friend is going through a rough phase. His wife is sort of depressed but is not ready to seek help. Initially, it was simple things like arguments or not talking for a day. But now it is getting violent towards their kids as well. The kids dont understand the issue and sometimes emulate the mother in school and are being ridiculed.

My friend has tried everything to find out what's bugging her but the problem is only going worse. Who would be the right professional in Mumbai to help him? Psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, counsellor? And how can that professional help this family? Since the lady is not willing to step out of her house.

My friend does not have support from his inlaws since they dont want to talk about this openly and have not even accepted it as an issue. They are not even listening to my friend and assuming this to be a normal couple who quarrel and this phase will also pass.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

Ideally I would advice you to get the following:
Complete blood counts, Lipid profile, Fasting blood sugar, Random blood sugar, Glycosylated hemoglobin, Renal function tests, Liver function tests, Thyroid profile, C reactive protein, calcium levels. Skip the rest and get them done only if indicated by an abnormal test from the above list.

Regards,
Mohit

Doc! Thanks again! Have re-enquired at the hospitals if they can add these to the existing package. Will write back with feedback :-)

Much appreciated

[condor]

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

One of my best friend is going through a rough phase. His wife is sort of depressed but is not ready to seek help. ..

Who would be the right professional in Mumbai to help him? Psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, counsellor?

It is necessary that the cause for this kind of behaviour is diagnosed & then the necessary counselling or a treatment if required is sought.

Such kind of behaviour could be due to many reasons- it could be in reaction to some failure in career or loss of close friend/family member, or (she feels she has) not having met expectations of someone close to her. She may not be able to express it out & expecting the others to understand her.

The best option in this would be to consult any of these - Psychiatrist/ psychologist/cousellor - in that order. If she is not ready to seek help from any of these, then if they have someone among the friends/family who can be an informal counsellor that also would be good. Or if a counsellor can act as a common friend to a person who the wife is close with & some
one the wife trusts.

She could also go in for some basic course like that from Art of living or something else also. Wishing the best for them.

________________________________
Note: above response is from a doctor (but some one who is not a psychiatrist / psychologist).

[abdriver2000]

Thank you for the response, Condor. As mentioned earlier, her side of the family is not even accepting the issue, let alone counsel her. As far as professionals are concerned, none of them would do a home visit, I guess.

[condor]

@Abdriver, this is where I feel a counsellor can help. The person can just act like a friend's friend & try and talk to her.

Just to clarify, in terms of medical education, of the 3 people mentioned in my post, the Psychiatrist is the highest qualified, followed by the Psycologist, and then by the counsellor. While a Psychiatrist is quite unlikely to come home, a counsellor is quite likely come. Do ask around / make enquiries to find one.

A very good alternative would be to have a good friend (of hers) act as a counsellor - some one who can just speak to her, to try and bring out the cause of the condition. But keeping it subtle and initially not give solutions.

[mannubhai]

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

My friend does not have support from his inlaws since they dont want to talk about this openly and have not even accepted it as an issue. They are not even listening to my friend and assuming this to be a normal couple who quarrel and this phase will also pass.

Im no doc nor a counselor. But I have come across people in such situations. Its a tough nut to crack and the only one who can do is a good mutual friend. Someone whom your friend can confide on and who can talk to his wife. I have been that friend few times, and have been able to bring them out of the scenario.

[bblost]

How does metal as a first aid work for a person in the middle of an epileptic fit.

Today morning came across a guy who was shuddering on the side of the road.
Some passerby's thrust some keys into his hands. He slowly stabilized after that.

Refused water.

The keys were the only aid given to him and they helped him.
How does this work. What is the relationship between metal keys and an epileptic fit.

Thanks.

[abdriver2000]

Not sure if metal helps. I have seen people putting a spoon wrapped in handkerchief in the mouth. This is to prevent biting the tongue, I guess.

There are plenty of superstitions and 'home remedies' for epilepsy, one of them being made to sniff a shoe or slippers.

Originally Posted by bblost

How does metal as a first aid work for a person in the middle of an epileptic fit.

Today morning came across a guy who was shuddering on the side of the road.
Some passerby's thrust some keys into his hands. He slowly stabilized after that.

Refused water.

The keys were the only aid given to him and they helped him.
How does this work. What is the relationship between metal keys and an epileptic fit.

Thanks.

[CliffHanger]

Originally Posted by abdriver2000

My friend has tried everything to find out what's bugging her but the problem is only going worse. Who would be the right professional in Mumbai to help him? Psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, counsellor? And how can that professional help this family? Since the lady is not willing to step out of her house.

It could be due to hormonal changes too. So please don't rule out consulting a doctor related to that field.