Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of years lived with disability globally (WHO, 2023) — yet it is also among the most treatable mental health conditions with appropriate psychological care. Many people living with depression experience it as a moral failing rather than a clinical condition with neurobiological underpinnings and evidence-based treatment options. At Encode Mental Health Clinic in Surat, we offer specialised assessment and therapy for depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar spectrum conditions, and seasonal affective disorder. Whether you are experiencing your first episode of low mood or have been managing recurring depression for years, our approach is thorough, personalised, and grounded in the best available evidence.
Depression is not simply sadness. It is a pervasive shift in how a person thinks, feels, perceives themselves, and engages with the world. Key features include persistent low mood or loss of interest and pleasure (anhedonia), alongside changes in energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, and self-worth. Negative cognitive biases become entrenched — the depressed brain reads the present as hopeless, the past as shameful, and the future as empty. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression alternating with elevated mood or mania, with significant variation in cycle frequency and severity. Persistent Depressive Disorder is a milder but chronic form of low mood lasting two years or more. Accurate diagnosis is essential because the most effective treatment approach differs significantly across these presentations, and treating bipolar depression without recognising the bipolar component carries specific risks.
Depression does not look the same at every age. In adults, the picture often includes withdrawal from relationships, reduced work performance, loss of enjoyment, physical heaviness, and a persistent inner critic. In adolescents, depression may present more as irritability, agitation, or behavioural changes — acting out, school refusal, risk-taking — alongside the classic symptoms of low mood and hopelessness. In children, low mood may show as persistent boredom, physical complaints without clear cause, or regression. In older adults, depression is frequently accompanied by cognitive changes and somatic complaints and is sometimes missed or attributed to ageing. Depression also commonly co-occurs with anxiety, chronic pain, hormonal changes, and major life transitions. A thorough assessment at Encode accounts for this complexity and avoids treating the surface presentation while missing underlying drivers.
Treatment for depression at Encode begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment to map the presentation, history, and maintaining factors. The most evidence-supported psychological treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which targets the negative thinking patterns and behavioural withdrawal that maintain low mood. Behavioural Activation — a structured, evidence-based intervention within the CBT framework — addresses the loss of engagement with rewarding activities, one of depression's most powerful maintenance cycles. Psychoeducation about depression — its biological basis, the role of behaviour and thought, and what recovery looks like — is a core component of treatment. For bipolar disorder, therapy focuses on mood monitoring, lifestyle regularity, early warning sign identification, and supporting medication adherence alongside any pharmacological management. Where appropriate, Veerti works collaboratively with a treating psychiatrist to coordinate care.
Many people delay seeking help for depression because of stigma, or because the low motivation that depression produces makes taking action feel impossible. However, depression responds better to early intervention — untreated episodes can deepen the neurological patterns underlying the condition. If you have experienced two or more weeks of persistent low mood or loss of interest, alongside changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration that are affecting your ability to function — a clinical assessment is appropriate. It is also important to seek support if you have thoughts of self-harm, feelings of hopelessness about the future, or if a previous depressive episode is recurring. You do not need to be in crisis to access professional support. Early intervention is not a sign of weakness — it is the most effective approach to lasting recovery.
If you have been experiencing persistent low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue, or feelings of worthlessness for two or more weeks — and these symptoms are affecting your ability to function — a clinical assessment is appropriate. You do not need to be at crisis point. Many people find professional support most effective when accessed early, before the depression has deepened.
Yes. For mild to moderate depression, CBT is as effective as antidepressant medication and produces more durable results because it builds skills rather than managing symptoms pharmacologically. For severe depression, a combination of therapy and medication is typically most effective. The decision is made collaboratively, accounting for severity, personal preferences, and previous treatment history. Veerti can refer to a psychiatrist where medication is clinically appropriate.
A focused course of CBT for a single moderate depressive episode typically spans 12–20 sessions over 3–5 months. Chronic or recurrent depression, or presentations with comorbid anxiety, personality concerns, or trauma, may benefit from longer-term work. A good outcome includes not just symptom remission, but understanding what maintains your depression and building skills to reduce the risk of future episodes.
Yes. Depression does occur in children and adolescents, though it may look different — irritability, physical complaints, school refusal, and peer withdrawal are common signs in young people. If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing depression, a clinical assessment with a child-experienced psychologist is the right starting point. Early support is particularly effective in younger populations.
Behavioural activation is a structured evidence-based therapy for depression based on the observation that depression causes people to withdraw from rewarding activities, which worsens mood, which leads to more withdrawal. It systematically reintroduces meaningful activities, starting with small, manageable steps. Unlike forcing positive thinking, it works with what a person can actually do right now. It has strong research support and is particularly useful early in treatment when motivation is low.
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