Depression: Part A
Vincent van Vogh, who himself suffered from depression and committed suicide, painted this picture in 1890 of a man that can symbolize the desperation and hopelessness felt in depression.
There are millions of people affected by depression in every corner of the world. Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as “depression,” can severely disrupt your life, affecting your appetite, sleep, work, and relationships. The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:
- constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
- decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
- loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
- a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
- a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
- restlessness or feeling slowed down
- decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
- feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
- thoughts of suicide or death
———————————————————————————————– Causes of Depression
Depression has no single cause; often, it results from a combination of things. You may have no idea why depression has struck you.Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters allow electrical signals to move from the axon of one nerve cell to the neuron of another. A shortage of neurotransmitters impairs brain communication.
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How to kick Depression to the curb… Jump starting a healthier mind, body and soul!
First Step…1
There are different treatments and medications for people suffering from depression. Other than going to a ’shrink’ some of the most popular drugs are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox and Celexa. Although there are several options available, apart from the endless side-effects, baring your soul to a stranger and your family and friends thinking ‘this one’s a nut job’, many persons hide the fact or don’t even realise that they are suffering from depression until it is too late which unfortunately sometimes lead to suicide. Whether it is the ‘there is no end to the pain’, or the ocassional hearing of voices saying suicide is the best solution and self-mutilation like; cutting, scarring and branding, the question is really can this be done by self-recovery void of outside assistance? There are numerous types of depression none being mild but admitting at first that you do have a problem and you are pretty tired of wallowing in self pity is a very good start towards getting help for yourself. Whether you are going to take it on by yourself or it’s best to get outside help is up to you. I suppose trying to do it by yourself at first is a step towards building a inner strength that often times get diminished when battling with depression so it helps to slowly build it back. But if for some reason you are failing to see any improvement and your situation seems to be spiraling downward, it may be best to seek help professionally.
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Cases in Jamaica
Over a million people worldwide die by suicide each year, and there are at least five million additional attempts that are non-lethal but still serious. University of the West Indies professor of psychiatry and mental health expert, Frederick Hickling, says that Jamaica has the third lowest suicide rate in the world at three per 100,000.
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There have been at least five reported cases of suicides, attempted suicide and suicide/murders since the start of the year. Only two weeks ago prominent trade unionist Norman daCosta, 59, killed himself at his home in Cocoa Walk, near Cross Keys in Manchester, November 17, 2006.
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And last week, the police were called on to investigate a case of murder and attempted suicide. The man, a police sergeant, shot his female friend after dropping off a child at the School for the Deaf in Papine, St. Andrew. He then turned the gun on himself. He is still battling for life in hospital.
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In October there was also another case of murder/suicide in Spanish Town when another police constable killed his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself. There was a similar case in February, also involving a policeman.
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Last Wednesday, a 29-year-old Kingston man was found dead, swinging by a length of rope, at an Oliver Road premises. Police suspect suicide.
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[Source: The Sunday Gleaner, November 26, 2006]
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NEXT: PART B: WOMEN AND DEPRESSION
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