Handling Depression

Have you ever experienced that creeping emotional dampness with a smouldering fear and emptiness?  It’s called DEPRESSION. Unfortunately, some Africans still argue that depression is a disease for westerners.  My first contact with depression was in my first year in the university. I had lost a dear friend and confidant to sickle cell anaemia after watching him wriggle through long years of crises. I soon realized how much I had depended on him and this brought me overwhelming anxiety. The memories stuck to me like a shadow. 

Everyone close to us had gotten over the death and expected me to as well but I became numb, shrunk slowly and could barely focus on anything. Soon enough, eating became uninteresting. I craved to be left alone as every little situation frustrated me completely. This experience lasted for months and not only did it affect me physically, it almost weighed me down academically. 

Although depression is a mental state, it is not madness or anything close to that. It’s a common and serious illness that negatively conditions how one think and act, affecting more than 350 million people around the world. The major difference between feeling sad and being depressed is time and duration. If the symptoms persist longer than two weeks, disrupts daily life and negatively impact relationship, then depression might be looming. Depression has nothing to do with skin colour and can affect children and adults. It brings a feeling of sadness and makes one lose interest in things that once interests them. It can lead to other emotional and physical problems which cause severe incapacitation. 

Symptoms of depression include moodiness, the feeling of guilt or worthlessness, dwindling appetite, restlessness, pessimism, loss of hope, drive and purpose, suicidal thoughts. It is found that minor depressive disorder may affect young adults and the aged while major depressive disorder can develop at any age and is prevalent in women. Postnatal depression develops in some women after child delivery and can linger for months if not treated. People with depression are four times likely to develop a heart attack than those without depression. Other diseases like cancer, stroke and substance abuse can slide in after prolonged depression. Fortunately, it is treatable.

Medical experts claim that over 80% of depression cases are curable if the patient follows the therapy judiciously. This implies that the first thing to do when a case of depression is suspected is to visit a psychotherapist. There are a few other things an individual can do to improve their situation.  The fact remains that depression makes one want to hide from the world, it’s advised that frequent connection with friends and loved ones is very necessary. Although this is the hardest thing to do, it is also considered the most rewarding.

Exercise can be a great tool for recovery. It reduces the risk of high blood pressure, cancer and boosts self-esteem. Resist every temptation to stay idle because idleness magnifies depression. There is another uncommon activity that works for many. This is keeping a journal. It serves as an outlet for the emotion, the worries and every other memory.

Finally, negative self-talks are damaging, this is one of the major things a depressed person must overcome before anything else will be effective. For anyone experiencing depression, it is important not to personalize it. Keep in mind that depression is a highly common disorder and treatable.

About the Author

Monalisa holds a B.A in Linguistics and Mass Communication .She is unyieldingly curious and open minded.Three things thrill her-media, climate change & catering/event planning. In light of that, she has a mind for social issues and itching fingers ready to pen related thoughts down. In between, she volunteers to teach youths and entrepreneurs.