The theme for World’s Mental Health Day this year was “Depression: A Global Crisis”. Depression affects many individuals here inAnguilla; unfortunately many of them fail to get adequate treatment for this medical disorder.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental illness, but it can affect your body as well as your mind.
Depression (major) is a medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Although there are known effective treatments for depression, access to treatment is a problem in most countries – and in some countries fewer than 10% of those who need it receive such treatment. Depression can occur in men, women, children and young adults and the symptoms might vary accordingly. Depression is not a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply “snap out” of.
Recognising depression
Many people have depression and are not aware of it. If individuals are not diagnosed then they cannot get adequate treatment.
The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. As a general rule, if you are depressed, you feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are severe enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life. There are many other symptoms of depression and you are unlikely to have everyone discussed below.
If you experience some of these symptoms for most of the day, everyday for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your doctor or someone who is knowledgeable about mental illnesses.
Depression can present in many different ways and include the following:
Exhaustion and fatigue:
If you feel so exhausted that you do not have energy for everyday tasks — even when you sleep or rest a lot — it may be a sign that you are depressed. Depression and fatigue can feed off each other. According to one major study, people who are depressed are more than four times as likely to develop unexplained fatigue, and people who suffer from fatigue are nearly three times as likely to become depressed. Depression and fatigue together tend to make both conditions seem worse.
Suicidal thoughts:
Some individuals with depression have suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, get help right away.
Changes in Appetite or Weight:
Some people lose their appetite when they feel depressed. Others markedly increase their eating — it soothes their frustration or misery. The result can be weight gain or loss and, with weight loss, lack of energy. Depression has been linked to eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating.
Sexual problems:
If you are depressed, you might lose your interest in sex. Severe depression, especially, can have an impact on sex. People who are depressed are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, both of which can reduce your sex drive. Some prescription drugs — including ones that treat depression — can also take away your sex drive and affect performance.
Neck and back pain:
People who are depressed may be four times more likely to develop intense, disabling neck or back pain.
Restlessness and agitation:
Men are more likely than women to be irritable when they are depressed. Sleeping disorders associated with depression can also cause agitation and restlessness in both men and women.
Continuous low mood or sadness-
These are common in many individuals who have depression.
Feeling hopeless and helpless:
If you have these emotional feelings of hopelessness and helplessness over a prolonged period of time you should seek help as it may indicate clinical depression.
Social problems:
If you have social problems like not doing well at work, taking part in fewer social activities and avoiding contact with friends, neglecting your hobbies and interests, and having difficulties in your home and family life, these might indicate that you might have depression.
Grief and depression
It can be hard to distinguish between grief and depression. They share many of the same characteristics, but there are important differences between them.
Grief is an entirely natural response to a loss, while depression is an illness. Many of us might be grieving at this time, but this does not mean that we have clinical depression.
People who are grieving find their feelings of loss and sadness come and go, but they are still able to enjoy things and look forward to the future.
In contrast, people who are depressed have a constant feeling of sadness. They do not enjoy anything and find it hard to be positive about the future.
TREATMENT
Just as the symptoms and causes of depression are different in different people, so are the ways for treatment. What works for one person might not work for another, and no one treatment is appropriate in all cases. If you recognize the signs of depression in yourself or a loved one, take some time to explore the many treatment options. In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of social support, lifestyle changes, emotional skills building and professional help. It is important to note that if you have symptoms and signs of depression you should ask for help. Let someone know of your symptoms and seek help and support from friends and family members.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
