Depression must not be allowed to fester: Doctors

Mumbai: Rising instances of depression-fuelled suicides need to be tackled by identifying the symptoms on time and by efficient counselling, according to city-based psychiatrists.

The stigma and the lack of communication around mental health problems can also contribute to the worsening of the condition. From film stars to godmen to a person living in a shanty, depression has driven people from all walks of life to take the extreme step.

Recently, well-known spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj, a mentor to several political bigwigs, shot himself at his residence in Indore while a 28-year-old female doctor attached with Tata Memorial Hospital, who was being treated for depression, committed suicide. Filmmaker Kar-an Johar recently told a news channel that he was going through a low phase and that he made up meetings and travelled to strange lands with no possibility of seeing a known face. Karan said that he later realised he was suffering from clinical depression. He was receiving counselling and medication until three months ago.  Bollywood actor Deep-ika Padukone a few years ago also disclosed that she had battled anxiety and depression. This was at a time when she was establishing her credentials as one of Bollywood’s actors.

Dr Ali Gabrani, a psychiatrist, said that depression is one of the leading causes of suicide. “In such cases, rectifying the symptoms which usually go unnoticed is a must. Efficient counselling acts as a life saviour at times.”

Dr Sagar Mundada, psychiatrist with Mahar-ashtra Women’s Comm-ission said, “The depression is root cause of all evils. In this fisherman’s case, the main person might have been suffering from terminal illness, which went unnoticed.”