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

CHASING YOUR DREAMS!

When the world turns its back, You don't give up!

Don't worry, I ain't Pumba, who turns its back. Lol 😄😄😄

Hey guys,

You see, lately I have been doing a lot of things that I love. Just picked up gardening too. It is very relaxing and fulfilling. The beauty that comes from ones labour is unfathomable. 

The thing is I wanted a dog but with all I have going on, I was advised against it. At least not for now. So anyway, this gardening stuff has been so helpful. Started about 6 months ago with a friend of mine who also has a garden. In fact she is a horticulturist. She's been doing it for a long time, so playfully I call her my consultant.

Anyway, my little garden is doing pretty well for a beginner, but after a while I noticed a specific plant withering. Didn't know why because I thought I was giving it the same attention I was giving others. The rest were blooming beautifully, just not this particular one.

Strangely , it is my favorite and therefore was heart broken. My friend, who is also my consultant told me to do a lot of things and if they don't work , I might have to uproot and replant that same specie again.Oh how it broke my heart, when she said that.

Anyway, to cut the long story short, I ended up doing exactly what I feared and that was uproot my favorite plant. But I am someone who doesn't give up easily on anything. Failure drives me nuts and so doing I keep trying and trying and trying again. I'm trying to figure out why I do that, still trying to....

I couldn't just let go of the plant and that, I told my consultant. Thinking I was just being stupid and stubborn, she let me be.

So I did what I know how to do best, NEVER GIVING UP, even when all hope look lost. I refuse to accept that the plant was totally dead. I decided to transfer it into a small pot, ensuring that all dead parts were removed. What I had left was a very tiny brownish looking plant. Throughout, I didn't give in to doubt but hoped that something miraculous would happen. And it did. 

Few days later, I noticed a little stem finding its way out from the soil, a new life had just started. The tiny brownish plant I had re-planted was beginning to look healthy. 

And till this very day,  that plant is the most beautiful plant in my garden, even my friend is surprised and jealous.

Moral of this story: Giving up isn't an option. Things may not be going the way you want doesn't mean it won't. Give it time. May all you need is to reorganize the way you are doing things. And starting over, doesn't mean you failed or you are a failure...NOPE!  On the contrary, it simply means you are smart and strong enough to know better.

Conviction goes a long way in chasing your dreams. You have to have personal conviction in order to chase your dreams, cos baby, you will meet people who will talk you down, people whom you love saying that you are crazy wasting your time chasing that dream. You've got to believe it, to want it! Even the universe won't have a choice than to fail in line to help you achieve your dream. 

Keeping at it set you apart from the rest! 

Trust me, you can do anything if you first believe. 

So get up and stay up, until your dreams become reality! The world is waiting.

Yours truly

Your gal, Real Gentlehawk!