A social media debate between an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Subhrata Prakash and an AIIMS professor, Rima Dada has reignited over a question
The question goes like: Is depression simply the result of an unhealthy lifestyle? The discussion has drawn attention because it highlights two very different ways of understanding ones mental health.
While healthy habits can improve mental wellbeing, psychiatrists exclaims that a clinical depression is a medical condition with biological, psychological and social causes.However, Lifestyle changes may help recovery, but they are not a cure for everyone.
What started the debate?
The debate began after Professor Rima dada of the Department of Anatomy at AIIMS Delhi spoke about polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) which is one of the main lifestyle led syndrome.
“Whether it is PCOS, obesity, diabetes, depression, or any other lifestyle disease, there are only three or four primary causes. One is a sedentary lifestyle: sitting in front of the TV or screens all day, not playing, not going for walks, and staying confined indoors. Secondly, we observe that our diets today are very rich in carbohydrates. We are consuming highly processed foods, which we classify as a highly inflammatory diet,” Dada told news agency ANI.
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On the other end IRS officer Shubhrata Prakash, who has spoken publicly about her own experience with depression for years, argued that calling depression a “lifestyle problem” oversimplifies a serious illness.
She has also shared that she lived with severe depression for several years, underwent treatment and therapy, and believes people should not feel ashamed of seeking help.
On the other side of the debate, AIIMS psychiatry professor Dr Nand Kumar has often said that many patients visiting his OPD suffer from burnout, anxiety, insomnia and stress linked to modern lifestyles.
According to him, reducing digital addiction, improving sleep, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and strengthening social connections can significantly help many people experiencing emotional distress.
Burnout, stress and depression are not the same
Mental health experts stresses upon the fact that burnout and clinical depression are different conditions.
Burnout is usually linked to stressful days at workplace or academic stress, problems reelated to personal life. People often feel emotionally exhausted, detached from work and less productive because of the stress management capacity of their body.
Depression, however, affects mood, sleep, appetite, energy and the ability to enjoy daily life, putting hurdles over day to day life chores.
Doctors say someone with depression may struggle to get out of bed, lose interest in relationships or hobbies, and experience persistent sadness or hopelessness for weeks or months.
Can lifestyle changes help?
Experts agree that lifestyle changes matter. Regular physical activity, enough sleep, nutritious food, yoga, mindfulness and spending time with supportive friends or family can reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve overall mental health.
But they also warn against presenting these measures as the only solution. For moderate or severe depression. Mental Health experts advices that the cure to depression may include psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both, depending on the individual’s condition.
Why this conversation matters
In recent days mental health awareness has grown in India, and more people are seeking help for anxiety, depression and burnout before symptoms become severe. Doctors say this is a positive change because early treatment often leads to better outcomes.
The debate ultimately underlines one important message: lifestyle influences mental health, but depression cannot be dismissed as merely a lifestyle problem.
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