DEPRESSION

Azeez Oluwadamilola

Depression is not an alien word or experience. With increasing number of cases of mental health disorder, depression has become a word many are familiar with. Depression is not limited to an age bracket; anyone could be depressed. Research has also proven that there are about 1.5 million cases of depression in Nigeria every year.
What exactly is depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. It is a mood disorder, feeling of sadness, loss or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities. Depression leaves a significant interference in a person’s life, which is enough reason for one to take care of one’s mental health.

Do you feel down or hopeless on a regular basis? Do you feel angry, aggressive, irritable, anxious or restless most of the time? You find it hard to concentrate? You easily get tired mentally? You have digestive problems or inability to sleep? Do you also know that over sleeping can be a sign of depression? If you experience few or some of these symptoms you might be depressed.

You might not even have any of these symptoms! But do you often think of harming yourself or committing suicide? Are you so tired of everything that you often think of dying? These could be indicators that you are depressed.

Depression may lead to loss of concentration, failed relationships, panic attacks, excessive weight loss or gain, feeling of worthlessness or guilt, failure, difficulty in sleeping or over sleeping, fatigue, digestive problem, increased cramps in female, low self-esteem, and so on.

One can be depressed as a result of trauma, loss of a loved one, certain medication etc. Certain life style such as, being expose to too much stress, being in an unhealthy relationship with the same sex or opposite sex, lack of satisfaction, anxiety and fear, drug use, isolation and so on can also cause depression.

Here are few tips to deal with depression:

Think positively: The power of positive thinking and speaking cannot be over emphasized. No matter what is happening around you, train your mind to see the bright side of things. Always thinking or speaking negatively might have a disastrous effect on you. Indulge yourself in positive thinking and speaking!
Keep healthy relationships: No one is perfect! If you have a friend or friends who have made it their primary assignment to remind you of your mistakes and weaknesses, and each time they do so you feel downcast and dejected, although you still smile. Please run away from such friends! Your mental health is more precious than the toxic relationship.
Manage anxiety properly: It’s alright to feel anxious at times. However, it is important to know that you can only control things as much as they are within your control. Admit that you can’t control certain things and let them be.
Reduce stress: You don’t have to be jack of all trades. Set your priorities right and do what you know is best for you.
Avoid comparison: You not only disrespect yourself when you compare yourself with others, you also damage your self-worth.
Talk about your feelings: You are feeling sad and hopeless; in fact, you are tired of everything. Talk! Talk! Talk! Talk to anyone who cares to listen! If there is no one, talk to God! And if you don’t want to talk to God, talk to your walls! Ok you don’t want to? Then talk to me. The most important thing is to TALK.
Exercise: Research on depression and anxiety shows that exercise and other physical activities can help to improve mood. As little as 10 to 15 minutes’ walk at a time can make a difference.
Avoid self -isolation: You need positive vibes around you. Don’t stay alone. Develop good and healthy relationship with those around you. Talk with your neighbor, interact with your course mates. Check up on others too.
Visit interesting places: Especially places where you have natural things. Visit botanical gardens or forest areas with friend, water fall, etc. go watch a movie, go to a restaurant etc.
Take one step at a time: Avoid worry and anxiety. Live each day at a time
Improve your self-esteem: You are the best version of yourself, never look down on yourself.
Eat well, sleep well, and take good care of yourself.

Have you done all these and it seems nothing is working? You may need to see a specialist or speak to a trusted person.