Understanding depression
Almost everyone feels low sometimes. Depression is different in three ways: it lasts, usually two weeks or more; it affects most of the day, most days; and it interferes with work, study, relationships or self-care. Sadness comes and goes. Depression settles in.
It is not a matter of willpower or gratitude. Depression involves real changes in sleep, appetite, concentration and motivation. Telling someone to cheer up is about as useful as telling someone with a fever to stop being warm.
In India it often shows up first as physical complaints — persistent tiredness, headaches, body pain, stomach trouble — or as irritability rather than visible sadness. Many people see three or four doctors about the body before anyone asks about the mind.
Signs to look for
Everyone experiences some of these sometimes. What matters is how many, how long, and how much they interfere with your life.
How you feel
- Low, empty or numb for most of the day
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Guilt, or feeling like a burden to people around you
- Irritability and a short fuse, especially in men and younger people
- Hopelessness about the future
How your body behaves
- Sleeping far more or far less than usual
- Appetite and weight changing noticeably
- Exhausted even after rest
- Aches, headaches or digestive trouble with no clear cause
- Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
How you function
- Concentration and memory slipping at work or in class
- Small decisions feeling impossible
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Letting hygiene, meals or chores slide
When to seek help
You do not need to be in crisis to deserve support. Consider speaking to someone if:
- It has been two weeks or more and is not lifting
- Work, study or relationships are being affected
- You are using alcohol or other substances to cope
- You are having thoughts of harming yourself, or that others would be better off without you
What helps
Talking therapy
Structured approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and behavioural activation have strong evidence for depression. A psychologist helps you identify the patterns keeping you stuck and rebuild activity gradually rather than waiting to feel motivated first.
Behavioural activation, in small doses
Depression tells you to wait until you feel like doing something. That wait rarely ends. Doing a small, specific, achievable thing first — a ten-minute walk, one shower, one message to a friend — tends to shift mood more reliably than trying to think your way out.
Sleep and routine
Depression and disturbed sleep worsen each other. A consistent wake time, morning light and reduced late-night screen use will not cure depression, but they remove a load that makes everything else harder.
Medical review where appropriate
For moderate to severe depression, a psychiatrist may discuss medication alongside therapy. Thyroid problems, anaemia and vitamin B12 or D deficiency can also mimic depression, so a physical check is worth doing. Those are conversations for a doctor, not for us.
Common questions
How do I know if it is depression or just stress?
Stress usually has a source and eases when the pressure lifts. Depression tends to persist even when circumstances improve, and it dulls enjoyment rather than just adding pressure. A PHQ-9 screening gives you a number to take to a professional, though only a clinician can diagnose.
Can depression go away on its own?
Some episodes do lift without treatment, but they often last longer, hurt more and are more likely to return. Getting support tends to shorten an episode and teaches you to recognise it earlier next time.
Do I need medication?
Not necessarily. Mild to moderate depression often responds well to therapy alone. Medication is a decision for a psychiatrist or physician based on severity, history and your preferences. BetterSpace does not prescribe.
Will my family have to know?
No. Sessions are confidential between you and your psychologist, within the limits set out in our confidentiality policy. You choose what to share and with whom.
Is therapy available in my language?
Yes. You can filter psychologists by language, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and others, and by specialisation.