An Exploratory Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Management in Modernity Impacted Depression

Ridhima Gandhi

Abstract: Depression is known to be the single largest contributor to global disability & in India, according to mental health survey 2015-16, nearly 15% of Indian adults needs active intervention for one or more mental health issues. 1 in every 20 Indians is suffering from depression. The modern lifestyle is one of the major factors contributing to the mental diseases nowadays & depression is one such illness. Homoeopathy is a holistic system of therapeutics based on natural laws of cure & individualization which cures the sick gently. The aim of this study was to manage depression with the help of Homoeopathic individualized similar medicine administered on the basis of Homoeopathic principles, & we fulfilled our objective to show effectiveness of Homoeopathically similar medicine in taking the case towards improvement & cure. The patients diagnosed with depression caused due to modernity were selected from OPD & peripheral dispensaries of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. The patient? improvement was assessed on HDRS scale using paired t test. In the study, we found 38% patients showing marked improvement & 54% patients showing moderate improvement without any worsening. 17 prominent modernity related causes have been found with the most common (26%) being use of mobiles & social media & a desire for a higher standard of living.

Keywords: Modernity, Depression, Homoeopathy, HDRS, Organon of Medicine, Dr. Hahnemann, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder