What is depression and how to deal with it

We all feel sad and low from time to time. This is normal. In a normal day people can go through a range of emotions.

Having low feelings and depressive thoughts for a long time is different however.

Sometimes people can suffer from ‘clinical’ depression, which means the depression has symptoms that indicate that the feelings of being ‘down’ are not just due to something going wrong in the person’s life.

It is more than those normal feelings of sadness.

Different people describe depression differently, and it may not feel exactly the same for any two people.

About 25 per cent of young people suffer depression by the time they are 24, but very few seek help.

This is often due to not understanding depression and being worried about what their friends might think.

Warning! If you feel so depressed that you want to harm yourself, it’s important to talk to someone now. Tell a person you trust, or speak to a health care professional.

Symptoms of depression

· Unusual sad mood that does not go away

· Loss of enjoyment in activities that used to be enjoyable

· Lack of energy or tiredness

· Feeling anxious

· Feeling empty or numb

· Feeling lonely or unloved

· Not being interested in anything, because nothing seems fun anymore

· Crying and not knowing why you’re crying

· Getting headaches or stomach aches

· Not eating, and losing weight

· Eating much more than usual

· Not being able to get to sleep, or waking up early

· Wanting to do nothing but sleep

· Feeling grumpy or bad tempered

· Starting to use, or using more drugs, including alcohol or tobacco

· Thinking of death or suicide – all threats or talk of suicide should be taken seriously.

If someone is suffering from five or more of these symptoms, including at least one of the first two, for most of the time over 2 weeks or longer, then they are probably depressed.

Sometimes people who are depressed are made to feel bad because they have some of these symptoms.

Family and friends may just think they are being lazy.

The depressed person can be made to feel like they just don’t make any effort, and this can cause further suffering and a deeper sense of depression.

Often the person with depression is not aware of the symptoms themselves. They can feel embarrassed and won’t ask for help because of this embarrassment.

What causes depression?

Depression can happen for several reasons:

· Sometimes there is a family tendency to get depression.

· Sometimes there are reasons like a family break-up, child abuse, ongoing bullying at school, rape, the death of a friend or family member, a relationship break-up, family conflict, or several of these things happening close together.

· Some women become depressed after they have a baby.

· Sometimes there is no obvious reason.

· Sometimes there can be a lack of certain chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Sometimes a person with depression may not produce enough.

Although each person will experience depression differently, there is some evidence that young women are more likely to be sad and withdrawn, and that young men tend to act out in antisocial ways when depressed – like being aggressive or stealing.

Ways to deal with depression

How you manage depression depends on the type of depression and how bad it is. Some of the following things can be very helpful:

· Talk to a friend or person you trust.

· Counseling could help you understand the reason for depression and sort out practical problems – you could talk to your doctor or a counselor at your local school or community health centre.

Some studies suggest that what you eat affects your mood. A good balanced diet will make sure you have all the essential nutrients needed for your brain to function well.

Exercise: Studies have shown that after only 30 minutes of exercise people get a boost of good feelings. 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3 times a week is what you should aim for. Try to relax more. Relaxation exercises are a good way to reduce stress. Do creative things like writing and drawing – different forms of expression other than talking?

Anti-depressant drugs – modern drugs are effective, and will not send you to sleep, but they should be used with regular check ups and counseling support. Most doctors will be reluctant to prescribe medication to people under about 18 years old.

What not to do

Some people use alcohol or other drugs to block out the depression. These don’t make things better, and can have very bad side effects.

Ways to help a friend who seems depressed

You could help your friend by:

· Taking your friend’s feelings seriously

· Letting your friend know you’re there and really listening whole-heartedly. This can be like a lifeline – it might be hard for people to talk at first, so just keep on letting your friend know you’re there. It can also be hard for you, because your friend might cry and become very distressed. You don’t have to try to ‘fix’ it – listening and caring is the most important thing.

· Offering to make an appointment to see a counselor, a community health worker or doctor

· Offering to go with your friend to the appointment

· Spending time doing things that your friend want to do

· Letting your friend know you care.

Source: Daily express, 30^th July 2008, Section: Youth & Parenting