Understanding depression

“I think the saddest people always try to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”

— Robin Williams, US actor

Mental health is one of the most important issues that needs to be addressed. There seems to be a prevalent epidemic of depression. Studies show that it has been around for centuries.
There used to be stigma when someone had a form of mental or psychological disorder. People only whispered about or suppressed the problem. Now it is openly discussed.
After a series of high-profile incidents of suicide, people wonder how to recognize and deal with it.
“Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects a person’s emotions, thinking and behavior,” Dr. Ma. Teresa Gustilo-Villasor explained in her recent lecture. “Major depressive disorder is also known as clinical depression.”
The individual feels miserable, lonely, let down. Unfortunately, it has claimed many lives — both young and middle-aged.
“If you know someone who is depressed, please resolve never to ask them why…Depression just is, like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they are going through…. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who is depressed, but it is one of the kindest noblest and best things you will ever do.” — Stephen Fry
A chart shows that the highest percentage of depression affects teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 29. This has increased by 50% in the past 60 years.
The World Health Organization statistics show that half of the people with mental disorders — anxiety, depression, mood, and thought problems develop at age 14.
Depression and anxiety are prevalent among the population age brackets 15 to 14; 55 to 70.
In 2014, depression was the predominant cause of illness and disability for both boys and girls.
The Philippines’ Department of Health estimates that one in five Filipino adults has some form of mental illness (schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression.)
Depression’s traits are: sadness; irritability; loss of interest in normal activities; thoughts of suicide or death; tiredness, disturbance in sleep or appetite.
Anxiety has the following: restlessness; excessive worrying; agitation, trembling, feeling nervous or powerless, panic, high heart rate, sweating.
More young women have anxiety or affective disorders than young men.
According to several reports and findings, the risk factors of depression are:

“Biochemistry: The difference in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to the symptoms. Women are twice as likely to be depressed.

Genetics: Depression can run in families. Having a parent or sibling with D increases the risk of developing the disorder.

Personality: when overwhelmed by stress: pessimism

Environmental Factors: The exposure to violence, neglect, and abuse make the person vulnerable.

The symptoms: Mood swings, irritability, neglect of responsibility, weight gain or loss; chronic fatigue; withdrawal from others; changes in personal appearance.
Men: Tendency to blame others; anger; paranoia; creates conflict; restlessness and agitation; compulsiveness; insomnia; becomes controlling; shame; fear of failure; overly concerned with status; self-medication through drugs; overuse of the internet and email.
Women: Self-blame; sadness; apathy; worthlessness; anxious, frightened; conflict avoidance; nervousness; procrastination; over sleeping or insomnia; difficulty maintaining boundaries; guilt; problems with success; assumes low status; self-medication through food.
The medical treatment would be a combination of the following:

Antidepressants (natural or pharmaceutical)

Lifestyle (nutrition, exercise)

Psychotherapy (Cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, counseling)

Social (support network, community involvement)

There is another aspect that is essential to the treatment. It is the psychospiritual treatment: prayer, retreat, accompanied by therapy.
Thomas Moore, in his book Care of the Soul, wrote about “the great malady of the 20^th century implicated in all our trouble and affecting us individually and socially is ‘loss of soul’”
“In the modern world, we separate religion, spiritual practice with medicine and therapy…To undertake the restoration of soul means we have to make spirituality a more serious part of everyday life.”
John of the Cross wrote, “In the dark night of the soul. Bright flows the river of God.”
Facts about depression:

1) It does not go away. It can be modified.

2) Thoughts of suicide occur.

3) The condition fluctuates.

4) Behavior is complex.

5) It has an impact on family dynamic and lifestyle.

The contributing variables are: Stigma, blocks to the appropriate treatment. The family needs treatment and support. Stressors depend on nature and the severity of illness. The ill person could be a parent, child, or spouse.
Hygiene, exercise, nutrition, and sleep are very important to a person’s wellbeing. We should be aware and mindful to the absence of these elements.
Family history may increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Physical/emotional abuse, certain medications, traumatic life events, and social isolation make a person vulnerable. Symptoms are: concentration difficulties; feeling of worthlessness; decreased energy and feeling.
The factors that will determine whether one will have depression are: physical activity, Omega 3 fatty acids, Sunlight (Vitamin D), Sleep, ruminative activity, and social connection.
The risk factors for suicide are:
History of substance abuse; previous suicide attempts; relationship problems; access to harmful means; recent death of a family member or close friend; history of mental health disorder; losing a friend or family member to suicide; physical disability or illness; ongoing exposure to bullying behavior.
What to do when you feel depressed:

Engage in an enjoyable activity — exercise, do sports, play bridge, dance, cook, sing, play with pets, fix the garden.

Avoid spending long periods of time alone.

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself.

Break up tasks into small chunks.

Spend time with family or friends.

Postpone important decisions until you are feeling better.

Get professional help when needed from a counselor, doctor, therapist.

What to do for others: Know the symptoms; Encourage the depressed person to seek help; be a friend and listen; Stay in touch or check how they are going; Offer practical help; Don’t make light of it; Don’t stay away because you are out of your depth; Affirm the person’s strengths; Take any comments about suicide seriously; Pray for the person (in his presence.)
There is a bright side to depression.
Carl Gustav Jung wrote, “Depression is not necessarily pathological. It often foreshadows a renewal of the personality or a creative burst of energy. There are moments in human life when a new page is turned.”
 
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
mavrufino@gmail.com