The dark truth about depression

Madam – Every day an estimated 21 South Africans commit suicide; according to experts and studies an estimated 7582 South Africans die by their own hand every year and 20 times that number attempt but fail to take their own life.

South Africa has been rated as the second “most stressed out” nation in the world, following Nigeria. High stress levels has been linked to illnesses such as depression, anxiety and can also lead to substance abuse.

South Africans have a 30 per cent chance of suffering of a mental disorder in their lifetime, with depression being the most common. Cases of anxiety and depression are certainly escalating in our country.

A recent survey showed, while a quarter of the more than 1000 respondents have been diagnosed with depression, they are more likely to remain at work while experiencing symptoms. It has been said that employees who are at work are five times less productive than employees who do not have depression.

Many South Africans can’t cope with depression. A lot of people don’t even know they have a problem as stress becomes so normal. People with depression tend to get physically sick. It’s important to be treated for both disorders.

Persistent depressive disorder ise a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years.

People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalised for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety.

Anxiety disorder develops from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events. It’s not uncommon to suffer anxiety or depression, but usually these two go together.

Depression is the physical and emotional result of hopelessness, sadness or apathy. Along with other symptoms, it can last at least two consecutive weeks and is severe enough to interrupt daily activities.

People who suffer from depression are often sad or disinterested. Depressed people sleep a lot and spend a lot of time in the darkness, rather than light.

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him the most about humanity answered: “Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present. The result being that he does not live in the present or the future. He lives as if he is never going to die, then dies having never really lived.

The most common symptoms of depression are:

– Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt

– Loss of interest in most activities, including hobbies

– Change in appetite

– Diminished ability to think or concentrate

– Poor short-term memory

– Recurrent thoughts of death or of committing suicide.

The best treatment for depression is:

– psychotherapy or talk therapy

– medication

– mindfulness based interventions.

How to deal with depression:

– Don’t make assumptions; communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.

– Don’t take anything personally; what others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.

– Be impeccable with your word; speak with integrity. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others .

– Always do your best; simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.

– Be skeptical, but learn to listen; listen to the intent behind the words and you will understand the real message.

When asking people what they thought about depression, this is what they had to say: “It’s not a good feeling, but it is curable.” –anonymous-

“ I think everyone has a different view of depression and they handle it differently. When I feel depressed or negative, I try to find the positive. But don’t get me wrong, I cry a lot as well. I don’t just ignore it. I have to just deal with it, otherwise it just gets worse. And that’s what I think most people do, they avoid their feelings. Depression is the body’s way of saying, “I’ve had enough. It has to stop,” otherwise worse things will happen, like suicidal thoughts” –Janette Voster-

Hettie had this to say about depression: “Depression is a serious medical condition when a person feels very sad, hopeless, unimportant and useless. It affects the entire family, in that family members feel hopeless, not knowing how to help to make their loved one feel better. It is heartbreaking for a mother to see her beloved child “suffer” and vanishes, changing from happy, spontaneous, extrovert, into a disillusioned, scared, helpless introvert. The necessary medical care, patience and determination with lots of faith, this medical condition called depression (the black dog) can be overcome and treated with medication.

Rumi gives a great motivational poem how to deal with depression:

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival, a joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all. Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows that violently sweeps your house clean of its furniture. Still, treat each guest honourably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

When you feel depressed or suicidal, please make use of the suicide crisis line at: 080 056 7567.

Lisa Perrins