Depression can be referred to as a mental, emotional and psychological state of illness where certain pessimistic and agonizing thoughts affects individual’s day to day activities and behavior. It is also known as Major Depressive Disorder and clinical depression in medical terminology. It is a complex disorder with a wide range of symptoms. It encompasses feelings of self-doubt, sorrow, lethargy, solitariness, anxiety, outrage, irritability and worthlessness.
By Times of India, it is estimated that about 43% of Indian population is suffering from some form of depression. After the pandemic situation, the incidence of depression is found to be higher than before due to declining economy, career opportunities and disturbance in study patterns.
In today’s day and age, and the increasing emphasis on digitalization, every aspect of our lives are controlled by internet connectivity. This has led to less person-to-person interaction and spending more time on the screen. Also with the extended pandemic situation, restricted travelling, and limited access to the outside world it can create a situation where one struggles to find peace and contentment.
Everything on social media can appear to be perfect and constantly comparing your life to others could bring insecurity and distress. It’s important to realize that social media platforms were created with the intention of bringing people closer and not spread hatred. Also, spending lot of time over the internet can lead to addiction, sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits and lower physical activity. All these can ultimately lead to some level of mental health issues over time.
What it does?
According to the symptoms and duration, the type of depression can be diagnosed by a professional. Some suffer from heightened symptoms during a short span of time and some may suffer from a more chronic form. It can sometimes be linked to a major event in life like pregnancy, death of a loved one, financial loss, abuse, professional failure and many more. But having all resources and a perfect family doesn’t always means that a person cannot suffer from depression.
The cause cannot always be traced and many people might feel they are experiencing symptoms of depression for no good reason. This article clearly explains how someone can be utterly confused when they are unable to identify what induced these feelings. Also due to misinformation the person suffering from it and others rebuff of the possibility of an illness which requires diagnosis. Its diagnosis is cumbersome and takes time and patience to treat.
Read about the scenario of mental health: https://www.ourbetterworld.org/series/mental-health/support-toolkit/mental-health-asia-numbers
Depression can significantly alter a person’s demeanor, relationships, appetite, interests and work. Due to negligence and insufficient knowledge, people around someone who is depressed are unable to understand and often ignore the indications. Also depression is a very personal struggle and only the one experiencing can know its severity and how deeply it affects the well-being of an individual. It seems easier to cure depression and people offer advice and solutions but overlook the cause and suffering behind it. A depressed person feels worthless and tired and suggesting solutions doesn’t help every time. Companionship, warmth, assurance, love and generosity is required to handle and deal with a depressed individual.
It’s well stated that depression can affect your day to day life, but along with that it can also make you more prone to some infections and diseases. It is observed that patients with depression develop a greater risk of heart diseases as well. The person might suffer from chronic body ache and fatigue. Due to overeating or loss of appetite, gastrointestinal problems can also be very common among patients. Occurrence of such health problems can in turn worsen the depressive symptoms. Amidst this outburst of emotions, a person might indulge into alcohol and other addictive drugs and substances.
How to look for early signs of poor mental health
It’s always preferable to consult a health professional rather than self-diagnosing any mental illness. But there are some signs which can indicate that someone might be suffering from mental health issues. It is frequently observed that poor performance at school or work can be an early indication of it. Hopelessness and self-doubt are two overpowering emotions that occupies a depressed mind. The person is constantly disinterested and lethargic even for doing day-to-day activities. These symptoms can be misunderstood for laziness and procrastination but depression is a serious illness and one should not be blamed or held responsible for suffering from it.
Parents hold the primary responsibility for taking care of a child’s wellbeing. It means contributing to the overall development of the child and also catering to emotional needs. If you find your child exhibiting any symptoms or unusual behavior, before dismissing or scolding first try to dig a little deeper. Poor grades or inactivity does not always mean that the child does not wants to perform or engage. It can mean that something is not right and has to be treated with care and patience. In many situations where both the parents are working they often ignore the fact that child also requires emotional support and affection. Comfort your child and talk about what’s bothering him or her. Attempt to motivate the child to be happy and share things which are possibly causing this behaviour. If that does not seem to work you can always opt to consult a professional and seek help.
Some signs to look for: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-depression-symptoms-may-appear-in-your-child-1066788
After parents, a person shares a close social bond with friends. Friends are people we can confide in essentially for every aspect of our lives. We always like to discuss everything with our friends and they practically have an influence on all our decisions. Having reliable friends can prevent from feelings of loneliness, and can provide a sense of belonging. Studies suggest that loneliness can be linked to higher risk of depression and other mental health issues. Establishing fruitful relationships and interactions can decrease negative feelings and generate a feeling of acceptance and inclusion. As a friend, companion or even a colleague, if you see anyone exhibiting any symptoms of poor mental health, assist and support the individual. A small step like eating together or a few minutes of interaction can changes someone’s outlook on life.
Please refer the links if you know someone going through something like this and want to help:
- https://au.reachout.com/articles/6-ways-to-help-a-friend-with-depression – 6 ways to help a friend with depression or anxiety
- https://youtu.be/sn8UME5kik4 (English) – 7 Things to Say to Someone With Depression
- https://youtu.be/NrwzOue1pVk (Hindi) – Best ways to help a friend suffering from Anxiety and Depression
Who are at risk?
Regardless of the gender, mental health is an important parameter because it significantly affects the ability of an individual to make sound decisions and also gives rise to other health problems. But prevalence of mental health issues can be slightly higher in women than in men. According to an article by WHO, a larger proportion of the population suffering from depressive disorders, the majority are women. There are no particular reasons for this difference but can be linked to some major events that a woman has to face during her life. Paul R. Albert in his article (2015), suggests that women are more prone to depressive episodes because of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, onset and cessation of menstruation can instigate psychological changes in them. Women having had suffered from any form of violence develop a greater risk of developing a mental illness and depression. Seeking help and sharing it with your trusted ones can lower the risk and help in the treatment.
One of the interesting observations is that how connecting to spirituality and finding your inner self has been linked to lower levels of depression. When nothing else seems to work, confiding into spirituality and faith can lead to enlightenment and serenity. It can bring peace to the mind and soul, giving a greater meaning to life. At times, you may find yourself suffering from symptoms of poor mental health and there is no one around you that can help or support you so gather some courage and take small steps towards self-healing.
To concise it all
Illness in any form can completely consume an individual and this can affect one’s life grievously. In case of a physical illness it becomes more evident and is easier to identify. But when considering health issues like depression and anxiety, its diagnosis is quite complex and the person is easily misunderstood as being over sensitive or moody. Mental illnesses are often disregarded and neglected because of social norms associated with it. Assist people around you if you notice these symptoms and in case you cannot understand don’t make the person feel responsible for it. Having a mental or psychological illness is not a choice and can happen to anyone.
Sometimes other people around you cannot understand and help you. The person suffering from it has to self-analyze the problems and interpret what will work the best for oneself. If suffering from any symptoms of depression, immediately consult a professional and talk about it. At times, one might not feel like going to a doctor or taking counselling. It can be overwhelming and create more anxiety. In this era, people rely on internet for smallest of the things. Some support groups and authentic online counselling might help but one should also be aware of the undignified content. Exercise, yoga and meditation are also proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
