Depression, anxiety, phobias and mental health feature almost daily in the media, and it appears that depression is fast becoming one of the biggest problems experienced within society. These conditions increasingly affect people living in the modern world and research has led to estimates that at least 17% of the adult population have had or will have, an episode of depression of sufficient clinical severity to warrant treatment. A special national Institute of Mental Health report on Depressive Disorders in 1973 stated that depression accounts for 75% of all psychiatric hospitalisations. During any given year, 15% of all adults between 18 and 74 may suffer significant depressive symptoms. Current studies indicate that the lifetime risk of depression in an adult population could be as high as 30%.

Along with the increased incidence of depression has been an explosion in prescription drugs to treat the condition. Still, recent reports have questioned whether these are effective or indeed create more problems for the patient. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in finding a fresh approach to the treatment of these conditions. Having trained in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, I can incorporate a lot of the accepted practices. However, the more I worked with individuals and groups, I found that by integrating the eastern-inspired approaches that I learnt in India, I achieved far more effective and lasting results within a shorter period.

Understanding Depression
In Psychiatry, depression is referred to as a mood disorder. Since antiquity, mood disorders have been known to man; the old Testament describes King Saul as suffering from severe depressive episodes. However, the term encompasses a broad spectrum of emotions ranging from deep depression to unbounded elation and mania. Understanding the behaviour of individuals suffering from depression can be very challenging.
All people experience a range of emotions, and in general, they are a healthy part of life and feeling appropriate emotions contributes positively to our well being. However, emotions are of two main types; firstly, effective feelings, short-lived emotional response to an event, and second mood, which is a lasting and dominant emotional response that colours the whole psychic life.
More than 90% of depressed people experience prolonged moods of sadness, discouragement or a sense of not caring any more. However, to classify someone with major depressive episode clinicians look for five or more of the following symptoms present during the preceding two weeks. There should also be a noticeable change in the previous functioning with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.

Symptoms:
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain, eg. A change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. Or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. Insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly every day.
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness
9. Recurrent thoughts of death

No single casual factor as to why people get depressed has been identified. Research points to many factors that seem to contribute to its development, including genetics, biochemical changes and personality theories. Several research papers have reported findings which suggest that relatives of patients with major depressive disorders have a higher prevalence of depression than people in the general population. Other research has focussed on biochemical correlates of depression and studied the role of chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in the brain. Whilst several theories related to depression have been developed regarding personality types.
My experience as a Doctor has led me to view each client as an individual whose requirements need personalised attention. Human beings are a complex creation whose health and wellbeing depends on a balance in all dimensions of their lives, from physical health to behavioural, energy and even environmental aspects.

Treating Depression
Conventional western medicine generally treats depression using a medication, e.g. Tricyclic, heterocyclic anti-depressants and the new SSRT drugs. The commonly used psychological therapies for the treatment of depression are individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Eastern Psychotherapy integrates eastern methods, such as meditation, yoga, pranic, or energy, healing, mantra and sound healing, with elements of the traditional psychotherapy developed in the West. When treating depression and other mental health conditions, it is vital to look for the causative factors and explore the issues using ayurvedic principles and acknowledge the spiritual component. It may sometimes also be appropriate to study the astrological chart of the person being treated to seek a better understanding of the influences affecting the individual and gem therapy, which is a commonly accepted practice in many parts of Asia, may be recommended.

The treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety is undoubtedly enhanced by using complementary techniques. The value of seeking help from professionals who have worked with both approaches is selecting the right choice of treatment for each individual. Orthodox techniques often deal effectively with the symptoms; however, eastern practices can help the underlying causes. A therapist who understands each individual’s personal needs is more able to provide them with an empowering approach to their illness. For some, the focus may be on the traditional Western methods. Still, for others, accelerated and positive results can be achieved by blending the best of East and West in an integrated treatment programme.
With an integrated approach to depression, most individuals can benefit within 10 to 12 sessions, sometimes even less, depending on the nature of their condition. It is crucial with any therapeutic approach to ensure clients do not develop a dependency on the treatment or only enjoy a temporary respite because the underlying causes have not been addressed.

Dr Sukul and Dr Spedding are  collaborating on the Purna Health Management System under the Guidance of Prof Dr Swami Purna and Adhyatmik Foundation with the following mission:

Mission
Adhyatmik Foundation, inspired by Dr Svami Purna, is dedicated to providing access to ancient wisdom and Teachings that have practical application in the stressful, hectic world in which we live today. The objective is to open the doors of that knowledge to enable people of all traditions and beliefs, ages, origin or gender, to develop and enhance their understanding of the meaning of life. In turn, their greater understanding can assist them in finding true happiness and fulfillment. By bringing balance and harmony to people’s work and personal experiences, Adhyatmik Foundation offers a firm basis upon which people can build happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. Of great importance as well is offering up our growth for the benefit of others.