Compiled by Adeniyi Sunday
Medically reviewed delivered by Dr Johnson Babajide — on October 25, 2020 at Sparklight Group E-Discourse.
Depression could be explained as Sadness, feeling down, and having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities are familiar feelings for all of us. But if they persist and affect our lives substantially, the issue may be seen as depression.
Depression is the main cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It can affect adults, adolescents, and childrenIn this article, learn what depression is and what causes it.
We shall describe the types, their treatments, and moreSo we being.
Medically,depression is a word that is loosely thrown around in recent times to describe Low mood (feeling of being unhappy or Sad), but is transient low mood actually depression? These and more are some of the clarity we are going to be making today.
Also by the virtue of definition – Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. These can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, motivation, feelings, and sense of well-being. It may feature sadness, difficulty in thinking and concentration and a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. It is important we make the clarity here that although Low mood is an integral symptom of depression , low mood does not necessarily equate depression.
To make a diagnosis of depression a number of factors as mention above must come together and of a truth these diagnosis can only be made clinically using certain clinical tools. It is also important we note here that depression can be a normal temporary reaction to life events, such as the loss of a loved one; and it can also be symptom of some physical diseases and a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.
Certain factors have been identified to be inciting factors for depression , some of them includes –
1. Life events such as loss of loved ones , neglect , physical abuse , sexual abuse ETC.
2. Medical treatment- some medical treatment such has beta blockers may induce depression.
3. Substance abuse – several drug of abuse can cause exacerbated depression either through excessive use or during withdrawal .
4. Nutrition – Lack of certain nutrients such as thiamine can also lead to depression
Alcoholism , bullying , early age abuse are also some of the connecting factors that has been indicated to be related with depression.
To the main crust of the matter , which is if I feel depressed or if i do have a low mood , how do i manage it ? What do i do?Well there are certain tips you can employ in your daily life to help cope and manage low mood and indeed depression. Some of them include.
1. Increased physical activities such as exercising. Aerobic Exercises such as swimming has been indicated to help stimulate parts of the brains that produces endorphins ,the feel good hormone and these in turn helps us battle depression or helps you at a level reduce the risk of getting depressed
2. Reminiscing on Old , fun memories also helps. So rather than focusing on the inciting factor that might have triggered the depression, focus on Old , fun , memories or thoughts of your happy place e.g the beach (or whatever it is for you). This has also been proven to help
3. If the depressive feeling gets intense i.e you feel so bad that you have started losing days of sleep or you feel super duper overwhelmed by the feeling please and please seek professional help from a psychologist.
Yes I know , when we hear psychologist in Africa , we start moving back. Lol. We dont want our friends thinking ” is he starting to go gaga” … That is a thought process that might cascade depression into suicidal thoughts. So please and please if you feel so low and so depressed that you can take it anymore.
GET HELP. Like I like to say IT IS OK NOT FEEL OK .
