On the deep end

Depression is a disease of the new era; this era where we live in the virtual world, communicate through machines than direct. The gradual breaking of joint families and people getting more and more isolated in their world of technology and work related stress, with social interactions become lesser and lesser, this disease of the mind is very common in developed countries. And because we are fascinated by everything imported, good or bad, this ailment is now huge in India too.

Earlier, depression was a term used very loosely, to convey Monday blues or a feeling of low. But today, we realise that it is a deadly disease and psychoanalysts and psychiatry is probably amongst the fastest growing medical professions. Deepika Padukone spoke about it and probably gave courage to many to come out of the closet. Going to a psychiatrist in our country is considered to be taboo and a very guarded secret. Any such ailment, depression also, is never talked about and we exist as though it just does not exist in India.

But a recent study done by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) shows that a 42.5% of employees in private sectors suffer from depression or general anxiety disorder compared to government employees. This study, “Preventive Healthcare: Impact on  Corporate Sector” reveals that rate of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression has increased by 45-50% among corporate employees in the last eight years. This report is based on the views of 1,250 corporate employees from 150 companies across 18 broad sectors like media, telecom and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) etc.The second disease which is troubling employees is obesity, with almost 23 per cent of the sample corporate employees suffering from it alone. 

The heavy price we pay as we ‘progress’ ahead.