Depression: A Pressing Issue We May Overlook
Created By RISC | 2 years ago
Last modified date : 2 years ago
Have you ever felt that you didn't want to go out and live life? Have you felt bored with your life? Have you lacked energy all day, wanted to be alone, felt indifferent, gloomy, and uninterested?
These symptoms may vanish in hours or days. But if they last longer, they could be a sign of depression.
Depression is a silent threat that can change our lives. The body might be strong, but the mind can be frail. Key symptoms include a sad mood, feelings of worthlessness, boredom, a loss of interest in our surroundings, indecision, anxiety, insomnia, oversleeping, constant tiredness, exhaustion, lack of concentration, slow speech, slow movements, suicidal thoughts, and eventual self-harm.
Another terrifying aspect of depression is that it can happen at any time, regardless of who we are, our gender, age, nationality, or the environment we live in. Statistics show that more than 5% of the adult population (aged 18 and up) worldwide is depressed.
Although it may sound hopeless, depression is still a treatable disease if you see a doctor early on and get a proper diagnosis. The most common treatment is the use of antidepressants to help balance neurotransmitters, electroconvulsive therapy, or even psychotherapy using a variety of methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and family therapy.
In addition to the current method, there are ongoing efforts to develop treatments for patients with depression in a variety of forms. For example, a group of researchers from the University College of London developed a psychotherapy system for patients with depression via Virtual Reality (VR) glasses, which can significantly reduce depression levels. The patient is shown a character in the therapy program who is a sad, crying child. The patient must gradually console the child and help him or her become bright and cheerful again. The words we use with the child can help us find comfort too.
Researchers at the University of California have developed an implantable electrical brain stimulator. This works like a pacemaker to stimulate the deep brain, controlling neurotransmitters. This treatment is appropriate for patients with severe, long-term symptoms who don’t respond to conventional therapy.
No matter how bad this disease is, there is always hope for a cure. If someone is sad or depressed, let's fight it together. RISC believes that the day will come when the sky will be clear.
Story by: Nattapat Tanjariyaporn, Senior Researcher, Brain Computer Interface, RISC
References:
World Health Organization (WHO),
Virtual reality therapy could help people with depression
A ‘Pacemaker for the Brain’: No Treatment Helped Her Depression — Until This