Bangalore: An increasingly large number of young people are being treated for depression by psychiatrists. Medication helps most of them and practicing meditation also helps.

"Almost half the patients treated by me and my colleagues are in their twenties to thirties. Most suffer from clinical depression," says psychotherapist Sunanda Murthy.

The way anti-depressants work is interesting. The brain is powered by electrical impulses from nerve cells and neurons. These release hundreds of chemicals into the gap between the cells. An imbalance of these neuro-transmitters is believed to affect how we think and feel. Two neuro transmitters — serotonin and norepinephrine — have a strong connection with emotions. Anti-depressant medication helps to restore the normal balance of such chemicals in the brain.

"Third and fourth generation anti-depressants are now available, and have helped reduce the side-effects of the old medication such as weight gain, dizziness and sexual dysfunction to a large extent," says Dr. Murthy. The old medications also used to make people feel sleepy and leave them slothful. More fine-tuning of the brain's chemical imbalances has become possible now.

Though the chemistry of the brain is affected with a few doses of medication, usually in a matter of hours, treatment may have to be continued for six months to some years. Some persons may need prolonged treatment so that they can function normally.

"The thing to remember is that taking anti-depressants is no different than taking medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. Mental illness needs to be treated like any other illness and people with clinical depression are not mad or abnormal," Dr. Murthy says.

Meditation

Deep breathing exercises such as pranayama, some yoga postures and meditation are recommended for people with depression. Deep breathing improves the amount of oxygen in the body and gives a feeling of well-being. Yogic postures help to relax otherwise taut muscles and this, in turn, relaxes the mind. Both elevate energy levels so that dealing with stress symptoms becomes easier.

There are several schools of meditation and one should not connect it with any specific religion or cult, psychotherapists say. The ideal method is one in which you try to empty your mind of conflicting thoughts for as long as possible. This can be achieved by a relaxed position with the back erect, eyes closed and sitting in a dark room free from noise. Some find chanting or listening to chants or soothing music restful. For most people, 15 to 30 minutes of mediation a day may be sufficient.

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