THE SILENT KILLER - DEPRESSION (MENTAL HEALTH) --- PART 1

Hey guys, Would like to talk about something that has been bugging me for some time now. Maybe because this specific issue has been making headlines lately or maybe because I have had my own share of it or maybe it is because it’s been with us for such a long time, yet we refuse to talk about it. But before I start, here is a disclaimer. I am not qualified medically to give advice. All information stated has been through personal experience, research and professional opinions. So don’t crucify me. Also this is a part 1 of a part 2 series.

DEPRESSION!!! The silent killer and it’s taking more lives than any war or disease combined. Many a times, I hear people say stuff like, "Why is he depressed, he/she is rich or has a job or is married or has children or has everything I want? He/She's just tripping". If only they know and understand that been depressed is not out of wants/needs - But a state of mind. But firstly let’s take a look at what depression is. Depression (majorly known as depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Being depressed often feels like carrying a very heavy burden, but you are not alone in this struggle. Millions of people suffer from some form of depression every year, making it one of the most common mental disorders in the world. Depression knows no gender, race, colour, status etc. More than 9mill cases per year in Nigeria alone and these statistics are growing by the minute. Though depression is treatable by a medical profession, if caught early and the patient is willing. Kindly note KEYWORD – CAUGHT EARLY AND WILLING PATIENT. Medium term is resolved within months, which usually requires a medical diagnosis.

So, back to my home country Nigeria, according to an article written by Stanley Akpunonu for the Guardian newspaper to commemorate the world health day in 2018, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)-Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPI) in collaboration with Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria (MDCN) and Association of Psychiatrist of Nigeria (APN) have continued to raise awareness on how depression can be curtailed so as to avert increasing cases of suicide. Consultant Psychiatrist Yaba, Dr. Taiwo Akindipe, in his remark said depression is an illness that is treatable and contrary to popular belief, it is not due to weakness, and it is not something you can wish away. It is important to know at what time you will draw the line. When we look at depression, it is related to mood; we have range of emotions fluctuate. It is normal to feel sad, but how do you know depression is about to set in. Core symptoms of depression involve lost of interest in known hobby and loss of energy. Tired of participating in actions he derives joy from. Not all symptoms come at a time. Other symptoms include: • Unable to sleep • Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much • Loss of appetite for food and if it persists one begin to lose weight • Total loss of interest in sexual relationship

If a student finds it difficult to concentrate, they might have symptoms that can affect the thinking and they begin to feel guilty of imaginary things. A Child Psychiatrist at LUTH, Dr. Yewande Oshodi, said children and adolescent due to stages in development go through depression and it comes in children with change of behaviour, like not wanting to go to school and physical symptoms like stomach pain and head ache. It actually switches to a time they begin to take care of themselves by self-medicating or alcohol. Dr. Oshodi said it is important we talk about depression because risk of suicide is high in children; she encouraged parents and guardian to explore their feelings with them that they could be passing through, peer pressure, bully or the child might be going through abuse. It is worth noting that attempted suicide is more in women but completed suicide is more in men because men act like all is well but women might want to discuss about the problem.

Click this link to take a test to determine whether if you are battling depression. https://www.psycom.net/depression-test/ https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#1 The good news is that one can overcome it. And to overcome it, one needs to first understand that the road to recovery is a marathon and not a sprint. It is a day at a time. And the road to recovery is relative as the time. In the concluding part of this series, we will look at what are the likely causes of depression, types of depressions and likely treatments. Remember, you are strong, you are beautiful, you are resilient, you are loved, you are capable, you are not weak, you are not defected, you are not weird, you are awesome, you are YOU! Stay Connected Real and True You Gal, Gentlehawk