Can we talk about depression?

Compliments of the season in the era of COVID-19. As many Nigerians are at home and some in isolation, can you kindly talk about depression which is bound to happen in this era?

Omarr B.

Thanks, Omarr for your question which is very important in this period of COVID-19. In simple terms, Depression is a mood disorder, feeling of sadness, loss, or anger that interferes with one’s daily activities. People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

It’s important to realise that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But, if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression. Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

the symptoms

What are depression?

of

Men and women may experience symptoms related to their mood, such as:

• Anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless.

• Behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities

• Sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire, lack of sexual performance

• Cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations

• Sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night

• Physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems

Children may symptoms as follows:

• Mood, such as irritability, anger, mood swings, crying

• Emotional well-being, such as

experience feelings of incompetence (e.g. “I can’t do anything right”) or despair, crying, intense sadness

• Behavior, such as getting into trouble at school or refusing to go to school, avoiding friends or siblings, thoughts of death or suicide

• Cognitive abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, decline in school performance, changes in grades

• Sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

What are the causes of depression? • Family history. You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.

• Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.

• Medical conditions. Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia or chronic pain.

• Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.

• Low self-esteem or being selfcritical

• Personal history of mental illness • Stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce or isolation as many people are experiencing at the moment all over the world.

Depression could be a serious mental health illness with the potential for complications, if left untreated, complications can include:

• Weight gain or loss or physical pain

• Substance use problems

• Panic attacks or relationship problems

• Social isolation or thoughts of suicide or self-harm

What are the treatment options for depression?

• Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible options.

• You may successfully manage symptoms with one form of treatment, or you may find that a combination of treatments works best.

• It’s common to combine medical treatments and lifestyle therapies, including the following:

-Medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe antidepressants, antianxiety or antipsychotic medications

-Psychotherapy: This could be very useful during period of isolation. Speaking with a therapist can help you learn skills to cope with negative feelings. You may also benefit from family or group therapy sessions.

-Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 3 to 5 days a week. It improves mood.

-Avoid alcohol and drugs.