HEALTH REVIEW: DEPRESSION(The concluding part) BY: SANI MUBARAQ

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

There are certain warning signs that can help any individual to identify whether he/she or someone close may be depressed. The following are symptoms to watch out for

­-Change in mood: There can be increase in anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, mood swings, persistent sadness and apathy.

-Early awakening, excess sleep, insomnia or restless nights.

-Changes in appetite that may lead weight loss or gain.

-Suicidal thoughts (the victim might carry the thought of death obsessively in his/her head, this can bring about suicide plans and attempt).

-Victim might find it difficult to concentrate and make right decisions.



TYPES OF DEPRESSION

MAJOR DEPRSSION

It makes someone as though work, school, relationship, and other aspects of life have been derailed or put on hold indefinitely. It is characterized with constant feeling of sadness or burden and loss of interest in all activities previously enjoyed. This holds true and persist nearly all day, on most days and lasts at least a fortnight (two weeks). During this time, the individual experience most of the symptoms mentioned above.

DYSTHYMIA
Mental health professionals use the word to refer to a low level drone of depression which is not as crippling and detrimental as major depression. Dysthymia often begins in childhood, the teen years or early adulthood. It lasts for at least two years in adults or one year in children and teenagers. It grip can keep the individual from feeling good and can have impact in school, work and social life. Dysthymia is characterized by having at least two of the symptoms mentioned above. It is possible for the occurrence of major depression with dysthymia and this phenomenon is known as double depression. The escape from the grip of dysthymia is difficult and nearly impossible if not treated.

BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
Bipolar disorder always include one or more episodes of mania: a function of high mood, grandiose thoughts and erratic behavior. It is also characterized by cycling mood changes (from extreme high e.g mania to extreme low). This type of depression is not as common as major depression or dysthymia.

PRE NATAL DEPRESSION
Sometimes also called antenatal depression. It occurs during pregnancy.

POST NATAL DEPRESSION
It occurs in the weeks and months after becoming a mother/parent. Post natal is usually diagnosed in women.

TREATMENT
Depression is by no means a silent disease but it is seriously underdiagnosed. The ultimate goal in treating depression is to improve the brain’s ability to regulate mood, manage stress and to make it possible for an individual to live a normal live. Depression which is a form of mental disorder cannot be treated unless there is proper diagnosis and treatment. However, no matter how severe it is, the good news is that it is treatable, the earlier the treatment can begin, the more effective it is.

The first step to getting appropriate is to visit a physician. The physician will conduct a complete diagnostic evaluation such as asking about the family history of depression, complete history of symptoms, how it started and its severity, how often is the occurrence of suicidal thoughts and all other necessary questions. The unique difference in life experience, temperament and biology make treatment a complex matter. No single treatment works for everyone. Research suggests that people benefit from a combination of medication and therapy, although medications are always the first choice in treatment. The treatment path can take several turns and recovery might become tedious. Patience and perseverance if exercised can bring about the desired changes and improvement.

CONCLUSION
The mystery of life is that we cannot see what is running through inside the brain and reading the mind and entrails of another person seem impossible, one can hardly tell the emotions and feelings of people. Not all smiley faces are actually happy. It then become a necessity to respect other people’s feelings and emotions, you never know if they are undergoing struggles that they will never open their mouths to proclaim. Also, many people still out of ignorance and mistake view depression and its symptoms as signs of weak character, lack of fortitude and inability to pull oneself up by the bootstraps. One would wonder why anyone will choose or decide to live a life devoid of happiness and joy, obviously there must be a driving factor.

More so, people assume that the act of committing suicide is a decision made by a stable and sane mind that is disillusioned and has given up like a coward. That is not necessarily true. Depression is a deadly scourge that drains the mind, it is like a pebble thrown into a pond that create ripples that spread far from their immediate point of impact. A depressed soul should be encouraged to get treatment, taking medications and keeping therapy appointments. Depression and comments about suicide should not be ignored. The people around a depressed person should feed him/her with words of encouragement and motivation and support should be shown to such.

RESEACHER: Sani Mubaraq,