When we think of depression, we typically imagine someone who appears sad and withdrawn. Depression is no respecter of gender, race, class of age. It affects all groups of people. Depression affects the totality of the person thoughts, feelings, behaviour, physical health, appearance, home, work, school, spiritual and social life.
Overall, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Some scholars believes that social and environmental conditions are the main reason for this difference.
➡ Factors that contribute to women's greater risk of depression include:
▪ Conflicts between work and parenting
▪ Reproductive stresses
▪ The strain of providing emotional support for others
▪ Marital strife
▪ Sexual and physical abuse
▪ Poverty
➡ Possible changes in someone who is getting depressed?
◼ Looking miserable and unhappy, or crying (not always).
◼ Losing interest in daily life ( sex, work, social relation).
◼ Changes in sleep pattern, sleeping more or less.
◼ Drinking more alcohol to deal with emotional intetest.
◼ Self neglect, poor hygiene, neglecting the home.
◼ Changes in appetite and weight.
◼ Loss of self-esteem, feeling very quity or unworthy of help.
➡ Considered these self-help strategies for depression:
▪ Avoid staying alone
▪ Share your feelings with friends or your loved one you trust most
▪ Surround yourself with optimistic people
▪ Engage your mind in things you enjoy such as music, movies or reading
▪ Get regular exercise
▪ Avoid alcohol and psychoactive drugs
▪ Seek help from doctor, counselor, psychologist, or any other person who may be of good help.
Depression kills...The only solution is to talk to someone who will never judge.
Reference
◼ American Psychiatry Association. 1994. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. Arlington, VA: APA.