DEPRESSION

 Sometimes in life we feel down and blue which is normal but if this feeling lingers then you might be dealing with depression. Depression is different from sadness or grief, the death of a loved one, loss of job/business, and end of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. 

Our mental health should be taken serious and there shouldn’t be any shame talking about mental health wellness. Depression is a common and complicated but serious mood disorder, it’s a silent killer and most Africans especially Nigerians has refused to talk about it and get help until it leads to death. Depression is a real illness, it isn’t a weakness and you can’t just snap out of it as most Nigerians believe. It causes severe symptoms that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression by doctors and healthcare providers’ symptoms must be present for at least two (2) consecutive weeks. Symptoms of depression include feeling several of the following consistently for at least two/more weeks.

This symptoms include;

• ·        Feeling sad, anxious, empty and agitation

• ·        Lack of energy and fatigue

• ·        Feeling hopeless, guilty, pessimistic, worthless, dwelling on past failures and mistakes or helpless

• ·        Sleeping too much or too little

• ·        Frequent aches or pain, problems with digestion

• ·        Eating too much or too little

• ·        Feeling restless or easily irritable

• ·        Trouble with concentration, memory or making decision

• ·        Losing appeal to activities which were once pleasurable e.g. sex, hobbies

• ·        Gaining or losing much weight

• ·        Suicidal thought or death

The world health organization (W.H.O.) characterizes depression as one of the most disabling disorder in the world. Women are twice more likely to become depressed compared to men, affecting roughly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men at some point in their lifetime. Depression affects estimated 1 in 15 adults. Postpartum depression aka baby blues affects two (2) out of four (4) new mothers, the new mother will have troubles enjoying and bonding with the baby. It doesn’t matter who you are, nobody is immune to depression it can show up both in early teens and late adults. Some factors play role in depression, these factors includes; 

• ·        Biochemistry; Difference in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to the symptoms of depression such as high amount of cortisol, low amount of serotonin, and norepinephrine are found in the brain of people with depression.

• ·        Genetics; Research has shown that, if a parent is severely depressed there’s a possibility that the child could be depressed in the future. If one a twin is depressed there’s a 70% chance the other twin will be depressed.

• ·        Personality; people with low self-esteem who are easily over whelmed by stress or people who are generally pessimistic can easily experience depression.

• ·        Environmental factors; If a person is continually exposed to violence, neglect, abuse, and poverty can make people more vulnerable to depression

• ·    Changes in hormone levels

• ·        Substance abuse; Taking some certain drugs over a long period of time can lead to depression, also taking illegal substances. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse issues get depressed.

TREATMENT

Medicine; Antidepressants are given to patients but sometimes it’s combined with psychotherapy. They are different types of antidepressant for different types of depression. So always talk to your doctor if you notice you’re not getting better or getting worse, because most times finding the right medication for each patient is complex.

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy); this is an effective treatment but in severe depression it’s combined with medication. There are different types of talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy which aims to change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy discusses how different relationships affects your mood, also psycho-dynamic psychotherapy aims at helping you understand how your mood is affected by unresolved issues and unconscious feelings. Talk with your therapist to find the best treatment for you.

Social support; this is largely used and has yielded great results. Most of the symptoms of depression can be handled with social supports. Developing a social support network is an important part of treatment. Join a group in your local church, make an effort to see friends and family who you have a good and healthy relationship with, make an effort to get up and get dressed, go out on a walk, enjoy a little sun, get a pet.

Spiritual support; As a Christian who is a survival of depression, I believe in the spirituality of everything. During the dark period of my life, studying my bible and praying for strength helped me immensely. Talk to a trusted spiritual leader or pastor who can help you with prayers and affirmations of faith. 

Some home remedies can help with depression, from eating right and proper exercises.

Diets; Eating healthy is very important but there are no special foods to relieve depression but eating foods rich in antioxidants is essential.

• ·        Beta-carotene; sweet potato, broccoli, collard, carrots, peaches.

• ·        Vitamin C; oranges, blueberries, grapefruits, strawberries, tomatoes.

• ·        Vitamin E; nuts and seed, wheat grain.

• ·        Protein; turkey, tuna, bean, milk, fish, soy products, yogurts, poultry.

1. ·        Omega 3 fatty acids; fatty fish- mackerel, salmon, sardines.

• ·        Dark green vegetables which are rich in folate.

• ·        Stop smoking and alcohol consumption. Reduce caffeine consumption.

Exercise; Exercise is important it boost mood and lowers depression. Research shows that exercise is a potential weapon against mild to moderate depression. Exercise helps the body release a chemical called endorphins which interacts with the receptors in the brain to reduce and trigger a positive feeling. Choose something you enjoy and aim for 20 to 30 minutes 5 times a week Regular exercise has proven to

• ·        Reduce stress

• ·        Stop anxiety and stop depression

• ·        Boost self esteem

• ·        Improve sleep

• ·        Strengthens the heart and  reduces blood pressure

• ·        Increases energy levels

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE

Depression has a high suicide rate. If depression is not treated it can lead to self-harm, the harm of others and suicide. According to the Nigeria suicide prevention initiative 1 person end their own life every 40 seconds. This is high and we need to work together to get the numbers to a bare minimum, taking this to cognizance we must arm ourselves with knowledge on how to detect and help a person(s) with warning signs of suicide. We must take this signs seriously and know how to respond to them.

Warming signs of suicide

• ·        Always talking about or thinking about death

• ·        Clinical depression that gets worse

• ·        Having a death wish

• ·        Losing interest in everything that one used greatly care about

• ·        Saying things like “it will be better for everyone if I don’t exist anymore” or “I wish I can sleep forever”

• ·        Talking about killing one’s self

• ·        Visiting and calling friends to say goodbye

• ·        Makes social media posts about killing one’s self.

Kindly note that if you have anyone who appears depressed or contemplating suicide, take them very serious and listen to everything they’re saying, calming ask them questions but never argue or yell at them or even worse make a mockery of what they are going through. Make sure you reassure the person you are listening and understand, ask if they have sought out medical help and encourage them to get medical help. The problem with depression is that people are hardly diagnosed, so they never get treated. Once depression is discovered in its early stages it can be effectively be treated. Could you be suffering from depression right now? With the help of healthcare providers, you can find out ways of getting help and get better. Don’t forget to be always honest with your health care provider.
Do you need help?

Are you in Nigeria and in need of help kindly contact;

Mentally Aware on – 08060101157, 08093565520, and 08136770508 or visit their website www.mentallyaware.org and twitter @Mentallyawareng. 

Nigeria Suicide Hotline – 08062106493, and 08092106493. 

kweenroyalty5@gmail.com

KALON WRITES 👑