Depression

Depression is a major health concern globally. The World Health Organization identified depression as a leading cause of disability worldwide with 5% of adults suffering from depression (World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO, 2023).

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5%

Adults suffer from Depression

50%

More common among women than men

10%

Of pregnant Women or postnatal experience depression

Depression & Health

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Depression impacts women more than men, however, it is important to be aware that depression also significantly impacts men. Symptoms may appear differently, between men and women, but the state of depression would still be the underlying feature. For example, anger is a common symptom of depression among men but not a common one among women.

Most recently, there has been a significant rise of depression, and even severe depression, among new mothers and pregnant women. According to the WHO, up to 10% of pregnant women and new mothers, struggle with depression, and it is likely that many more struggle silently. Depression impacts both the mother and the baby and, indeed, the well-being of the family as a whole. Providing women with holistic pre and postnatal care is a crucial part of holistic health.

Depression is often correlated with other health conditions as well. As such, approaching the treatment of depression from a holistic lens is important. However, often, people neglect or are unaware of the connection between depression and other health conditions, and tend to think of it in isolation. In fact,depression has a serious effect on the immune system and increases the risk of other health problems. Research has found that “85% of people with major depression also have at least one other serious health condition” (Co-occuring disorders and depression, N.D).

Common Symptoms of Depression

Depression is more than feeling down. It is a mixture of different symptoms that effects people’s health and quality of life. Common symptoms of depression include:

Depressed mood
Loss of interest
Inability to feel pleasure
Weight loss/weight gain
Sleep disturbance
Agitation / slowness
Fatigue
Low self esteem, feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty with concentration
Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of death

If you think you may have depression, or are concerned that a friend or family member may be struggling with depression, seek out help. Explore our depression calculator as a self-reflection tool. You can easily share the results of your calculator with our team of health professionals to get further guidance and support as needed.

Checkup: Doing a physical health checkup is a must, as it can help to identify addressable factors that may be contributing to depression. This includes (Lantz, 2023):

Thyroid imbalance (hyper/hypo thyroidism)
Sleep Disturbance
Low Vitamin B12
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Low Vitamin D

Research finds homeopathy provided similar results for depression treatment as fluoxetine (e.g. Prozac) in the treatment of depression.

Homeopathy & Depression

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One of the most common approaches to treating depression is psychiatric medication. This can be a very important approach that many find helpful. It can allow clients to reclaim a sense of quality and functionality in their life. However, psychiatric treatment has its challenges and limitations. These have to do with both the attitude of the client and with the aspects of the drug itself. Some clients have a fear and resistance towards the use of psychiatric medication, some are inconsistent with taking their medication, some struggle or have concerns about the adverse effects of psychiatric treatment, and lastly, some do not experience much improvement even when compliant with the medication. Homeopathic physicians present an alternative treatment that may be suitable for those with such challenges

Homeopathy is an individualistic, step-by-step treatment method. Though two people may have the same diagnosis, homeopathic physicians follow a holistic approach to assessment and care for their clients. They approach the treatment strategy by considering the history, understanding the client's lifestyle patterns and selecting the type and intensity of remedies to suit each person. The treatment is then a process by which the homeopath and the client continue together and modify the remedy as the symptoms shift. It is a journey that is supported phase by phase, step by step, along the treatment period. Studies have found that homeopathic treatment can have similar results as the common psychiatric medication fluoxetine found in most common anti-depressant medications.

At bmy, collaborating with a homeopathic doctor for your care presents a naturalistic medicinal alternative for the treatment of depression.

Upright posture is associated with increased ability to recall positive events. A study found upright posture manipulation resulted in higher positive affect and greater verbal engagement than slouched posture.

Holistic Physiotherapy & Depression

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Although conventional treatment of depression typically focuses on the mental aspects of the disorder, it is important to remember the body-mind connection. There is no doubt that exercise is an important part of treatment for depression. These need not be overly vigorous, what matters is moving the body and engaging with the sense of muscle. Research has found that exercising just twice a week can reduce depressive episodes by 25%.

The physical aspect of depression and its impact on the body is often easy to recognize, as depression can be understood as a kind of system shutdown. People with depression tend to move slower, appear tired, and have slumped shoulders Research has found that a simple shift in posture can make a significant change in depressive states. According to research, recalling happy events takes longer and is more difficult to do in a slouched posture.

A study demonstrated that, participants whose posture was adjusted into an upright posture with the use of physiotherapy tape had a higher positive affect and greater verbal engagement than those in a stooped posture. This matters. Increasing the ability to connect with positive thoughts and emotions is an important part of shifting the depression pattern. It is also worth considering that yoga and Pilates practices include shifts in postures. As such, including yoga or Pilates as part of the weekly exercise routine is an important part of holistic healthcare.

A holistic approach to treating depression is important not only because of the physical and mental aspects of depression but also because of the prevalence of occurrence of other health issues as well.

Holistic Psychotherapy & Depression

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When people are struggling with depression, they often have difficulty with emotion regulation and are inhibited by maladaptive cognitive patterns. There is often a sense of hopelessness, difficulty with motivation, and struggle with social connections. A holistic psychotherapist is able to hold the different aspects of depression in mind and work with clients to develop helpful coping skills, increase intrinsic emotion regulation, and explore different ways to improve life engagement to bring more balance, resilience, and wellness.

At bmy, the inclusion of holistic psychotherapy and somatic therapy modalities for the treatment of depression follows the stress and trauma physiology perspectives presented by leaders in the field such as Dr. Stephen Porges and his Polyvagal Theory and Dr. Peter Levine and his Somatic Experiencing model and approach. These perspectives consider depression as a frozen state and recognize the value of bringing more regulation to the physiology through comprehensive somatic modalities. You can read more about this in our e-Mag article: The somatic layers of depression.

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Depression Treatment in Dubai

Depression is not sadness; it is a deep,overwhelming experience that would influence you in so many aspects of your life. It is not temporary blues or reacting to something difficult; it is a complexity of symptoms that may include feelings of depressed mood such as sadness, hopelessness, and emotional numbness; difficulty concentrating; low self esteem; fatigue; and so on. If you are reading this due to self-struggles, then know you are far from being alone, and there's always hope, and that help is here.

At BMY, we strive to be one of the best holistic wellness centers in Dubai to help provide alternative and complimentary treatment from different conditions including depression. We are here to walk you through your journey and provide depression treatment that encourages you to respect your mental and physical well-being. We are committed to treating the person, not just the condition, and we're here to help you regain peace, joy, and balance in your life.

Common Types of Depression

There is a difference between the use of the word depression as an adjective for a general mood or feeling ~ “I feel depressed” , “I am depressed”, and a word that describes a disorder. On this page when we use the word depression, we are referring to a condition that would be diagnosed by a licensed clinician as a mental health disorder.

Depression can take many forms, and once you identify which type is affecting you, you'll be in a better position to receive the appropriate treatment. The diagnosis of depression is commonly based on either the Diagnostic Statistical Manual V (DSMV) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Here are some common types of depression based on these diagnostic manuals:

Clinical Depression (Major Depressive Disorder): This is typically diagnosed when you have 5 or more of the below symptoms for a period of at least 2 weeks:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Marked diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day
- Significant weight loss, or decrease or increase in appetite
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation (like fidgeting or restlessness) or retardation (slowing down, immobility) nearly every day
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, indecisiveness
- Recurrent thoughts of death, or recurrent suicidal ideation
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): This type of depression is often not as intense as MDD but it still has an impact on someone’s life. To be diagnoses with PDD, you would have depression symptoms for at least 2 years or more. It feels like a constant low mood, making it hard to experience true happiness.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD): This is when at least 5 symptoms of depression, including mood swings, are present in the majority of menstrual cycles and become minimal or disappear a week after menses.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This type of depression happens with the seasons. It can happen in either colder climates, or warmer climates, depending on the person and the environment and is often related to less sunlight.
Postpartum Depression: This affects new mothers, going beyond the typical "baby blues." It can cause extreme mood swings, anxiety, and deep sadness after having a baby.

What Causes Depression?

The exact cause of depression has not been concluded. Researchers and clinicians have identified several different factors that are associated with depression. However, the cause and effect sequence is not made by this as much as a correlation is identified that can present options for treatment. Some of the most significant contributors identified include:

Brain Chemistry: When chemicals in your brain, like serotonin and dopamine, are out of balance, it can trigger depression. These chemicals affect your mood, energy, and ability to feel happy.
Gut Health: More recently, the gut and gut health has been linked to depression due to the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). The gut has trillions of microbes that produce important neuroactive compounds including neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA and norepinephrine.
Genetics: Studies show that if depression runs in your family, there is an increased possibility of developing depression. Of course other factors also impact this or deter this.
Life Events: Big incidences, stress, death & loss, traumas, and life changes, can lead to depression. And sometimes, these tough experiences can bring depression to the surface.
Chronic Illnesses: Depression can also happen as a result of struggling with chronic health conditions such as anxiety, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic tension headaches or migraines, chronic back pain, digestive issues or diabetes, cancer. Dealing with long-term physical issues can be tough and naturally can impact mental health. That is why a holistic approach to healthcare is important.
Medications and Substance Use: Some medications or substances can make depression worse. It's important to talk to your doctor if you're feeling this way.

At BMY, we value collaborative care and encourage collaborating with your doctor on your treatment for depression as well as collaborating with our team to provide complementary and alternative holistic healthcare options that may be helpful to you.

Who Does Depression Affect?

Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status, which is why seeking professional depression treatment is crucial for individuals struggling with this mental health condition.

However, some groups might be at higher risk of developing depression. More at-risk populations include:

Women: Depression afflicts women more than men. This could be for different reasons such as hormone aspects, social forces or a combination of factors.
New Moms: Global statistics show that between 10-20% of new moms develop some type of depression post-childbirth. The statistics will vary of course in each country.
People with Chronic Health Conditions: As has been described above, chronic health conditions can impact mental health. If you are struggling with a chronic health condition and are wondering if you have depression, you can begin this exploration with our free Depression Calculator. From there, it is important to consult with your doctor to get the support you need. If you are concerned for a friend who has a chronic health condition, see if they would be open to talk about this as well. Mental health support is an important part of healthcare.

Regardless of who you are or what is happening to you, you are entitled to care and compassion. Depression can feel incredibly isolating, but you are not alone in this. Speak to someone about your challenges so that you can get help.

When to Seek Help for Depression

If you find out that symptoms described above (or symptoms of sadness, fatigue, low mood, low motivation, low energy, low interest in activities) are persisting and affecting your life, and its routine, then this is the best time to consider talking to somebody. The signs that tell when you must really talk to a person include:

If your work is impacted
If your relationships are impacted
If your friendships are impacted
If you have sleep is impacted
If your eating behavior is impactedIf your motivation for self care is impacted (bathing, brushing teeth, eating healthy, getting out of bed)
If you feel irritable, or fatigued, or restless, or demotivated
If you have difficulty concentrating or focusing
If you have thoughts of self harm, or that life would be better without you

And if you want to know if you have depression or are concerned about it, you can also try the free Depression Calculator as a first step. This is not a diagnostic tool, but a tool for self reflection. From there, it’s important to consult with a specialist to get further guidance.

The earlier you recognize these signs, the better it will be for your recovery course.

How We Could Help You Through BMY

At BMY, our depression treatment in Dubai comes with the incorporation of holistic therapies that shall help increase the ability to cope with depression, reducing the symptoms, and finding more ease and balance.

Alternative and natural treatments for depression offered at BMY include:

Holistic Psychotherapy (incorporating Somatic Experiencing and IFS)
Homeopathy
Holistic Physiotherapy
Somatic Practices
Group Therapy

Every treatment given at BMY is tailored according to the client's needs. Healing is not only the removal of the symptoms but also bringing one back to a peaceful place of strength and balance.

Why Choose BMY For Depression Treatment in Dubai

At BMY, we know that depression can feel very isolating and mental health issues can sometimes create a sense of helplessness. We believe in the importance of creating a safe, comfortable, and - compassionate environment where you can get the support that you need. Our holistic depression treatment in Dubai blends traditional therapies with natural treatments to address both the mind and body, ensuring comprehensive care. We believe in personalized care, and in each person’s unique wellness journey.