How do I know if I have depression or if I am just going through a difficult time?

The key difference is duration, pervasiveness, and the loss of the ability to feel pleasure. A difficult time produces understandable unhappiness that responds to changed circumstances or support. Depression persists beyond the triggering event, infiltrates most areas of life, and includes the inability to enjoy things you normally would. If low mood has lasted two weeks or more and is affecting your sleep, energy, or interest in activities, a professional assessment is warranted — not because you are failing to cope, but because that pattern has a name and an effective treatment.

Can depression get better without therapy or medication?

Mild depressive episodes do sometimes resolve on their own, particularly when the triggering stressor passes. However, research shows that untreated depression tends to last longer, recur more frequently, and leave people at higher risk for future episodes than treated depression. For moderate-to-severe depression, waiting it out significantly increases the likelihood of the episode becoming prolonged or chronic. Evidence-based self-help practices — exercise, sleep routine, behavioural activation, reducing isolation — reduce symptom intensity and are worth starting immediately, but they are most effective as a complement to therapy, not a replacement for it.

Is depression a chemical imbalance?

The "chemical imbalance" explanation — that depression is simply low serotonin — is an oversimplification that has been largely moved on from in clinical neuroscience. Depression involves disruptions in multiple neurotransmitter systems, inflammatory processes, neuroplasticity changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and a complex interaction with genetics and life experience. This does not mean antidepressants do not work — they do, and they are effective for many people — but the mechanism is more nuanced than topping up a depleted tank. It also means that non-medication treatments like CBT and exercise produce real neurobiological changes, not just willpower.

How much does depression therapy cost at Lilac Minds?

Sessions are ₹1,500 each, with the same rate for online and in-person appointments. Most clients complete a meaningful course of treatment within 8–16 sessions. Lilac Minds does not currently bill through insurance; session receipts are provided for personal records or employer reimbursement where applicable. If cost is a concern, discuss a session spacing plan with Prarthana at the first appointment — fortnightly sessions during the maintenance phase are common once the acute phase has stabilised.

Can men have depression? It does not seem to look the same.

Yes — and the picture in men is often different enough that it is missed entirely. Men with depression more commonly present with irritability, anger, risk-taking behaviour, alcohol or substance use, social withdrawal, and throwing themselves into work rather than with the tearfulness and visible sadness associated with depression in women. This does not mean the underlying condition is different — it is the same disorder — but cultural pressure on men to appear stoic means many men with depression are never assessed for it. If the description of persistent low mood, anhedonia, and loss of interest fits, it fits regardless of how it is expressed on the surface.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, and which one do I need?

A psychologist is a mental health professional trained in psychological assessment and therapy. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. For most people with mild-to-moderate depression, starting with a psychologist for therapy is appropriate and effective. If medication is needed — for moderate-to-severe depression or treatment-resistant cases — a psychiatrist is brought in to manage the prescription alongside therapy. At Lilac Minds, Prarthana Thaker is a psychologist; if a psychiatric assessment or medication review is needed, she will refer you to an appropriate psychiatrist and coordinate care. You do not need to have the "right" professional figured out before you begin — a first psychology session will clarify the pathway.

Depression: A Complete Guide to Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery

Depression is a mood disorder in which persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and a range of physical and cognitive changes last for at least two weeks and interfere with daily functioning. This guide covers what depression is, the main types, how to recognise it, what causes it, the therapies that work, and how to start treatment in Jamnagar with Lilac Minds.