“It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there because it’s not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness to cry and to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling—that hollowed-out feeling” —J.K. Rowling
In recent years, depression has become a prevalent disease worldwide with young people more affected by it. In 2012, the WHO estimated that about a 350million people worldwide are suffering from depression. Many feel depression is sadness but it’s beyond sadness. This leads to the question of what then is depression? Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Depression refers to a range of mental problems characterized by loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary experiences, low mood and associated with emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms. Depression is more like an emotional trauma with adverse effects on our day to day life. It’s worthy of note to mention that depression isn’t a sign of weakness neither can you simply snap out of it.
CAUSES
Knowing the cause of a thing helps to understand it better. Depression is a very complex disease and as it stands no one can point to the exact causes of depression. However possible causes of depression have been suggested, these include:
- Brain chemistry imbalance
- Poor nutrition
- Stressful life events
- Drugs and alcohol
- Grief and loss
- Genetics
EFFECTS
The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Depression is a disease itself that has been discovered to have robbed its victims of their physical mental, social and emotional well-being; setting them on a path of degraded health. Depression has a major effect on the emotional well-being of its patients and causes an emotional disorder that affects their productivity, thinking, interest in activities and even loss of value for life. In severe cases of depression, it can lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts and it is highly unlikely that its victims will be able to carry out their daily activities. According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Apart from all these, depression poses a similar threat to the physical wellness of its patients and leads to somatic health. Depression is a risk factor for Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, stroke, obesity, overall mortality, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, pains in body parts and to a lesser extent cancer. These effects put depression as a critical factor of degrading health and when not addressed can lead to health complications.
SYMPTOMS
One of the major problems of depression is that most of its victims don’t know they are depressed. Some common symptoms of depression are:
- The feeling of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration over small matters
- Low interest or pleasure in normal activities
- Sleep disturbances including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movement and feeling of worthlessness
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death and unexplained physical problems
TREATMENT
As outlined by the WHO, GAP Intervention Guide, preferable treatments options consist of psychosocial support combined with antidepressants medication or psychotherapy such as cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy or problem-solving treatment. Depression can’t be fought alone. When symptoms of depression are noticed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professionals (antidepressants can be given to suppress depression). Psychosocial therapy includes talking to a friend or loved one, a faith leader or someone else you trust about your feelings. Locked up feelings like pain and grief have proven to be one of the causes of depression, talk to someone about those feelings, let them out, and don’t die in silence.
PREVENTION
With the right approach to life, depression can be prevented. The following strategies can help to prevent depression
- Controlled stress
- Reach out to family and friends
- Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem
- Develop a good interpersonal relationship
A life free of depression is a life free of trauma; we owe ourselves the responsibility to stay healthy. Health they say is wealth. For those who find themselves depressed, that is not the end of life. You can pull through that depression and come out stronger. Consciously taking care of yourself for you to stay healthy. SAY NO TO DEPRESSION, STAY HEALTHY!
