DEPRESSION; A SILENT KILLER

What is depression?

It is a mood disorder that is characterized by a low mood (feeling bummed out) and lack of interest in once-enjoyed activities among other symptoms for a period of two weeks. In it severe form, it can affect daily functioning and even lead to death due to suicide.

 How do you know you are depressed?

An episode of depression will present itself with feelings of sadness, sometimes crying too much, loss of interest in normal activities and hobbies.

 Other symptoms

·         Poor appetite or overeating

·         Poor sleep pattern or sleeping too much

·         Feeling tired all the time

·         Withdrawal

·         Poor concentration

·         Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

·         Slow thinking or slow body movements

·         Associated symptoms like body pains and headaches

·         Suicide thoughts or attempts

 Causes

Depression can be caused by many stressors in the social, work and environmental arena. Financial constraints, loss of a job, demanding jobs that do not give you time to unwind can trigger an episode.

Family conflicts, marital issues, and childbirth can cause one to develop depression. Life events like death of a loved one can be very life changing.

Traumatic events like rape and war will trigger a depressive episode. Other times genetics could predispose you and also the climate zones. 

Is it treatable?

The stigma of being branded with a mental disorder and the lack of knowledge of how to identify the presence of the disorder has been a major hindrance to the treatment of depression. The truth of the matter is this condition is treatable and one has the ability to return to full functional capacity and avert a crisis such as suicide. There are different modes of treatment that can be pursued in terms of management. Psychiatric medication is given to those with moderate to severe depression while those with mild depression undergo psychotherapy. In some scenarios, some patients will require both, while the medication is addressing the biochemistry, psychotherapy will be unpacking the psycho-social issues that precipitated the depression.

 Recovery might be slow and difficult but when you eventually come out of it, it’s like conquering Mt Everest… Awesome!. Encourage anybody out there who is having a tough time, talk to them or help them seek professional help. Remember depression is just like Flu, you cannot hide it long enough and it can just be treated as easily.

 Article courtesy of Citizen digital