Apollo Hospitals Muscat introduces department of psychiatry and behavioural medicine at its centre

MUSCAT: Apollo Hospitals Muscat introduces Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Medicine at its centre. Dr S Anand Kumar, MBBS MD, one of the specialist psychiatrists in the centre, has over 8 years’ experience. He has worked extensively in private psychiatry settings in renowned hospitals in India. He has expertise in psycho pharmacology (medications for psychiatric illness) and therapies/counselling. He is an active public speaker and strives to reduce the stigma associated with psychiatric illness and create awareness.

Dr S Anand Kumar has had experience in treating psychiatric illness like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, psychosis and substance addiction in adults. He has experience in treating psychiatric issues in children including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, school refusal, diagnosing intellectual problems and learning disabilities. Treatment of other childhood disorders like psychotic illness and mood disorders have also been part of his repertoire. Here are some facts about depression to make us understand this illness better. What is depression?

Depression is a common and serious psychiatric illness which negatively affects thought, mood, perception and cognition. If left untreated, it can become chronic and cause severe sociooccupational dysfunction. How does one diagnose depression?

Depression is a cluster of symptoms which must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression. Some of the symptoms include sad mood, reduced interest in activities of daily living, reduced concentration and attention and easy fatigability. It can also cause a person to have pessimistic and bleak views about the future, a sense of helplessness and worthlessness.