Monsoons are a natural wonder. Year after year more than a billion people within the Indian sub-continent eagerly wait for its arrival. From the greatest piece of literature to the most successful movie, the monsoonal rains have always shown to carry a sense of romanticism, love and naughty euphoria.
Are the monsoons really such a period of romanticism and happiness? The answer is NO.
You might be surprised if I told you that the Monsoons are the annual period with highest number cases of clinical depression, clinical levels of anxiety and above all highest number cases of Suicides.
There’s upto 20% increase in the number of people suffering from any grade of depression (mild to severe) and an equal rise in the number of people who put their suicidal thoughts into action.
Why is the monsoon season so deadly?
Once the problem starts it has the potential of engulfing the subconscious mind extremely fast. As this happens, sadness and irritation become the dominant mood throughout the day.
Before a person can overcome it completely, the onset of winter makes the situation worse.
A problem that starts in monsoons, has personal and professional repercussions till the end of winter, creating 6months of extreme loneliness, sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness and helplessness.
What causes this problem?
Clinical Research has found that the root causes of this problem are:a. Decreased amount of sunlight - sunlight is known to trigger the production of activating chemicals both in the body and the brain. Lack of proper sunlight leads to decrease production of the same.
Decrease in activating factors leads to onset of clinical levels of depression. Once the depression starts, it takes a few months for the body to re-start production of these chemicals on its own. But in many cases winter sets in by that time, again leading to the same cycle.
Decrease in activating factors leads to onset of clinical levels of depression. Once the depression starts, it takes a few months for the body to re-start production of these chemicals on its own. But in many cases winter sets in by that time, again leading to the same cycle.
b. Decreased Body Temperature – Monsoons lead to decreased body temperature. Even though everyone waits for the same, prolonged exposure to cold temperature leads the body into “conservation mode”. Body heat is automatically maintained by shutting down some essential brain and body processes.
c. Genetic – Those who have family history of parent or first blood uncles/aunts having clinical depression or suicide attempts are at greater risk of having inherited genes that can trigger the same. Such genes are “dormant psychological mine” waiting to be triggered. In many cases the change in weather works as the perfect trigger.
What are the symptoms?
Onset of 6 or more of the following symptoms following exposure to monsoon or prolonged periods of winter, can be certainly diagnose subconscious cry to help.1. Sadness or depression as dominant mood through most of the day
2. Increased appetite with weight gain
3. Increased sleep and daytime sleepiness.
4. Less energy and ability to concentrate in the afternoon
5. Loss of interest in work or other activities
6. Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
7. Social withdrawal – loss of interest in meeting people, friends and family. Wanting to stay aloof.
8. Unhappiness, irritability or unexplained anger outbursts are seen.
9. Feeling others cannot help.
10. Lack of desire or decreased sexual performance.
11. Looking for escapism by increased indulgence in drinking, smoking, cannabis or other drugs
12. Suicidal thoughts keep revolving in the mind.
What is the cure?
a. Light therapy
b. Adequate diet plan
c. Short term, non-addictive, non-sedative Medications to regulate mood swings, sleep disturbance.
d. Exercise schedule according to body type to trigger alertness.
e. Consult an emotional and behavioural health consultant immediately. Let him/her help you formulate an adequate diet plan, exercise schedule and prescribe any vitamin supplements/medications after complete body and emotional health examination.
I Would really appreciate if you could leave comments and share this article with your family and friends. Regards,
Dr.Hemant Mittal
(MBBS,PGDPM, MBPS, MD(mindmantra))
Motivational Speaker - Mind Trainer – Emotional, Behavioral,
Sleep, Memory and Sexual Health Consultant at Mind Mantra. (www.mindmantra.in )
FOR APPOINTMENTS IN MUMBAI and NAVI MUMBAI CONTACT ME TODAY
Email- eksoch@gmail.com
FOR APPOINTMENTS IN MUMBAI and NAVI MUMBAI CONTACT ME TODAY
Email- eksoch@gmail.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/HemanttMittal
its really amazing piece of work sir..now i cn feel y great plots of tragic stories pops up in ma mind during monsoon n winter seasons.
ReplyDeletevery much needed awareness. I have faced this winter depression, i know winter plays spoil sports, never thought to this extent. Very helpfull.
ReplyDeleteSir, Its really goood article, but tell me onething, if we feel all symptons if we feel only few then also we are in depression like increse in sleep, mood swings,irritation, lack of concentration, switch over routin. it can be also depression ?
ReplyDeleteit can be a minor form of depression.
ReplyDeletefor more you can email me on eksoch@gmail.com
i totally agree with this article. i have personally experienced episodes of depression during monsoon or prolonged gloomy weather.
ReplyDeletei live in Kolkata. During june-july we had prolonged cloud covers for days. it me really dull and my routine went haphazard. that time i will prey for sunlight even it brings biting sweat and heat. but never had a confermation though that the lack of sunlight is really playing with mind................. thanks doc now I know i was correct.
sumdays bak i was thinking dt exposure to sunlight or bright illuminatn in d room has positive effects ..n staying in a gloomy room has negative effects on emotions and body...
ReplyDeletesum days bak i was having depressions n nw i really like sunlight ,,nw i gt to knw dt my mind and body needed sunlight dts y i suddenly started liking sunlight
ur post was really amazing...
it was an enlightening article..... i thank u for posting it......i did my graduation in applied psychology this year and in between our classes we used to discuss this kind of problems relevant to our environment and monsoon change, it was one of the favorites but we didn't know the causes behind these changes of moods and ur article provided a great help in understanding that.
ReplyDelete