Contact Tele-MANAS 14416 — India's national mental health helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If there is immediate danger, call emergency services (112). You do not have to manage this alone.
What Is Depression?
Depression — formally called Major Depressive Disorder — is a recognised medical condition that affects mood, thought, energy, and physical wellbeing. It is not the same as ordinary sadness, and it is not something a person can simply "think away" or overcome with willpower.
Depression affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and life circumstances. It can appear after a difficult event, or it can arise without any obvious external trigger. Either way, it is real, it is treatable, and asking for help is the right thing to do.
Recognising the Signs of Depression
Depression shows up differently in different people. The signs listed below are the ones clinicians use to assess whether depression may be present — not a checklist for self-diagnosis, but a guide to help you notice what to bring to a consultation.
Mood and emotional changes
- Persistent low mood, sadness, or emotional emptiness — most of the day, most days
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to matter
- Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or self-blame
- Hopelessness — a sense that things will not improve
- Irritability or restlessness (particularly common in men and young people)
Physical and behavioural changes
- Significant fatigue or low energy, even after rest
- Sleep changes — sleeping much more than usual, or unable to sleep
- Appetite changes — eating significantly more or less than usual
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Moving or speaking noticeably more slowly, or feeling physically agitated
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
Thoughts that need urgent attention
Some people with depression experience thoughts of death, of being better off gone, or of harming themselves. These thoughts are a symptom of the illness — they are not a reflection of your character or your future. If you are having these thoughts, please seek help today.
Tele-MANAS 14416 (24/7 national helpline) · Emergency services 112 · Dr. Heena Khanna +91 97730 32340
Key points about depression symptoms
- Symptoms must be present most of the day, on most days, for at least two weeks
- They must cause real difficulty in work, relationships, or daily life
- They are not caused by medication, substances, or another medical condition
- You do not need to have every symptom — a cluster of several is enough to warrant evaluation
Depression vs. Normal Sadness: How to Tell the Difference
Sadness is a natural human response to loss, disappointment, or difficulty. It usually has a recognisable cause, and it eases over time — particularly when things change or when you talk to someone.
Depression is different in several ways:
- Duration: It persists for weeks or months, not days
- Pervasiveness: It affects nearly every area of life, not just how you feel about one situation
- Cause: It may arise without a clear external trigger — or feel disproportionate to what happened
- Responsiveness: It does not lift with good news, distraction, or time the way sadness does
- Physical symptoms: Depression often brings fatigue, sleep disruption, and appetite changes that normal sadness usually does not
If you are unsure, that uncertainty itself is a reason to speak to someone. A brief consultation can provide clarity — and if it turns out to be a period of difficult sadness rather than clinical depression, that conversation is still worthwhile.
When Should You See a Psychiatrist?
Many people wait far longer than necessary before seeking help for depression. There is no threshold of suffering you have to reach before you are "allowed" to see someone.
Consider a consultation if:
- Your low mood or emotional emptiness has lasted more than two weeks
- You have lost interest in most things you used to enjoy
- Everyday tasks — work, relationships, self-care — feel overwhelming or impossible
- You are relying on alcohol or substances to cope
- You have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide — please seek help without delay
- A GP, counsellor, or trusted person has suggested you see a specialist
- You have tried to manage alone and things are not improving
You do not need a referral to see Dr. Heena Khanna. You can reach out directly.
How Is Depression Treated?
Depression responds well to treatment — but the right approach depends on the individual. A psychiatrist will take a full history and discuss options with you before recommending any plan.
Psychotherapy
Talking therapies — particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — are effective for many people with depression, especially mild to moderate presentations. Therapy works by helping identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, build coping strategies, and address the underlying factors that may be maintaining the depression.
Other therapeutic approaches may also be used depending on individual need, including structured problem-solving, behavioural activation, and interpersonal therapy.
Medication
Antidepressant medication may be recommended for moderate to severe depression, or when therapy alone has not been sufficient. Several types of antidepressants are available — they work by influencing brain chemistry, and the choice of medication is tailored to each person's needs, health history, and preferences.
Medication is not prescribed automatically, and the decision is always made together. If medication is recommended, you will be told exactly what to expect, including how long it typically takes to notice an effect, and what side effects are possible.
Lifestyle factors
Regular physical activity, consistent sleep habits, and social connection are genuinely therapeutic for depression — not a replacement for clinical care, but an important part of the overall plan. Where relevant, Dr. Heena Khanna will discuss practical steps you can take alongside formal treatment.
Follow-up and monitoring
Depression is not treated in one appointment. Regular follow-up allows the treatment plan to be adjusted as your circumstances change, and ensures you have support throughout recovery. Recovery is rarely a straight line — follow-up keeps it moving in the right direction.
What treatment does not involve
- Being told to "just think positively" or "push through"
- Medication being prescribed without explanation or your agreement
- Judgement about why you feel the way you do
- A single session and no follow-up
Getting Help in Surat
Dr. Heena Khanna offers confidential psychiatric consultations at Mahavir Health Campus, Ring Rd, Athwa Gate, Surat. She sees patients for depression treatment in Surat from across the city and surrounding areas. Appointments are available Monday to Thursday 4–6 PM and Friday 5–6 PM.
No referral is needed. You can reach her on WhatsApp at +91 97730 32340 or by calling the clinic at +91 261 246 1093.