BENGALURU: Familial support, yoga and mindfulness techniques with cognitive behaviour therapy have more than fifty per cent chance in successfully treating victims of depression, according to Dr Mallika Sundaram, consultant psychiatrist at Kent and Medway NHS, United Kingdom.
Speaking at an international conference on women’s health and empowerment organised by Maharani Lakshmi Ammani College for Women and People Tree Hospitals. She said that medicines play a major role in treating depression, but are not enough. “Complete treatment of depression or anxiety disorders must not stop with medicication alone, as causes of the condition are multifaceted. The condition is not limited to the in take of antibiotics that can treat only physical aspects of depression.”
She believes that attaining mindfulness, a psychological state of actively participating in the present is the solution to depression.
The therapeutic sessions of attaining mindfulness are unique. A person is taught that the past is history, the future is a mystery and the present is a gift. “A child is a perfect example of being mindful because they give hundred percent to their activies, be it playing or listening to music. When a person drives to work and there is music playing in the car, chances are that he is not enjoying the music because his mind could be potentially preoccupied,”Dr Mallika said.
She also elaborated on another alternative technique to solve mind problems.”In cognitive behaviour therapy, people are taught to understand their thoughts, feelings and the physical changes within themselves causing particular types of behaviour.” said Dr Mallika.
Women more prone
Women are more susceptible,“More women than men suffer from mental disorders.In fact one in three women suffer from common mental health disorder," she said.
From her extensive experience she drew the conclusion that women are predisposed to the disease,”Women are socially, genetically and culturally predisposed to common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. This is probably because men and women respond differently to stress and perceive it different. Gender issues also increase anxiety.”