Identifying signs of depression
DEPRESSION and anxiety, similar to most other illnesses, do not discriminate regardless of your situation, age, gender or status. But like other mental illnesses, the stigma attached forces many people to suffer in silence out of fear of being labelled.
Fortunately, with many celebrities coming forward to share their battle with these conditions, more people are not only talking about them, but are taking steps to address their varying mental health issues.
Clinical psychologist Dr Pearnel Bell said the sooner we make those around us start feeling more comfortable about seeking help, the greater the quality of life that we will be able to help them to live.
“Depression and anxiety are serious mental illnesses that affect one’s mood, thoughts and behaviours. It can have a profound impact on the way one thinks and feels about self. It affects both eating and sleeping patterns. The onset of depression may be sudden or gradual and can leave one with profound sadness that interferes with social and occupational as well as school functioning,” Dr Bell explained.
She dispelled the myth that depression is just a bad case of being sad that one can just snap out of, noting that clinical depression requires professional evaluation and treatment. Dr Bell said sometimes, however, it can be quite difficult for some sufferers and their families to identify depression and anxiety.
Dr Bell shares some symptoms which are often taken into account when diagnosing depression and anxiety, generally measured over a two-week period:
Depressed mood
The individual feels sad, empty, discouraged and hopeless. There is an uncontrollable urge to cry, almost always feeling weepy. Some people experience irritability and underlying feelings of unhappiness.
Diminished enjoyment of life
There is loss of interest in activities, work, and even relationships. Added to those are other feelings such as helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, inadequacy and feeling that problems are insurmountable.
Diminished energy and activity levels
You are literally sapped of energy all day long. Movement and speech may slow down. There may be feelings of agitation.
In people with anxiety disorder, symptoms may be similar but other common symptoms include:
•You have unrealistic worry and tension.
•You feel intense fear of a specific object or situation such as darkness.
•You experience strong or irregular heartbeats.
•You may experience chest pains or tightening.
•You may experience random sudden feelings of terror.
•You may feel like you are having a heart attack.
•You may feel that you are dying.
Dr Bell said that while it may be easier said than done, there are a number of techniques that can be used to stave off depression associated with life’s challenges.
1. Remember, a challenge is a human phenomenon; you would be non-human if you did not have any. Recognising that challenges are a natural part of everyday life is the first step to overcoming the hurdle.
2. Never ask, ‘Why me?’ Loaded in this statement is the notion that it should happen to someone else. Inherent in that statement is an abdication of the responsibility to face life’s challenges. You are taking away the humanness of your existence and wanting to pass it on to someone else.
3. As you face the challenge, ask yourself what lessons you are being taught. Challenges are life lessons for personal growth and can bring about profound changes. Begin to work out possible options to deal with the current challenges.
4. Always remember, as you go through life challenges, that challenges may be long or short-term.
5. Meditate.
6. Exercise.
7. Eat right.
8. Find time to laugh even if there is nothing to laugh about.
While mild depression may be treated with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes, there are times when medication will be needed.
“The aetiology of depression can be biopsychosocial — some of the factors mentioned above and how we interpret them can lead to negative cognition. Depression can also be endogenous, that is, there’s a biological explanation for the behaviour that involves chemical imbalance not related to external factors,” Dr Bell explained.
She said in such cases, medication becomes the first line treatment. When depression is psychosocial, an examination of how one is processing the events becomes important and a restructuring of thoughts becomes the first line of treatment.
