How to recognise the warning signs of depression

FOR far too long suicide has been a taboo topic and perhaps through open discussion of what makes a suicidal person tick, more can be done to alleviate the stigma that surrounds this topic – especially given the recent suicide attempt at Scottburgh main beach.

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According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), suicide is ranked third as the highest cause of death among South African teenagers – amounting to some 9.5 percent of all teen deaths. But suicide does not discriminate; your mother, father, brother, sister or even your best friend, husband or wife, daughter or son could fall into a bout of depression.

Sarah Lamont, an occupational therapist at Akeso Randburg, Crescent Clinic says that it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this mental disorder. Depression is a clinical illness created by an imbalance in the neurochemicals that control our moods. “When someone is depressed, their mood is not only low but their thoughts are influenced and they are temporally incapable of seeing circumstances realistically and thus generating realistic solutions. Their low mood also impacts on their general level of functioning within all areas of their life and therefore a change or deterioration in any aspect of someone’s life could be a red flag.”

According to Lamont, depression manifests the following signs and symptoms:

* Change in personal hygiene that results in a more unkempt appearance.

* Changes in appetite that can often lead to unusual changes in weight.

* Changes in sleep routine, with the individual, often feeling more exhausted and needing to sleep for extended periods of time, staying in bed all day or for an entire weekend.

* Avoidance of social interaction and remaining withdrawn or isolated. They may be less active on social media, for example, and their posts might reflect less energy or positivity than previously.

* People who are depressed develop poor coping strategies such as an increase in smoking, drinking, and substance abuse.

They may also begin gambling as an attempt to find a quick fix to financial pressures. These only have further negative impacts on their levels of desperation and their inability to generate healthier solutions.

* Work performance may deteriorate and attendance may become problematic. Low energy levels and poor levels of motivation can make it difficult to attend to daily tasks, which is particularly evident in the work place and at home.

* People who are depressed will also avoid their usual leisure-time activities and there may be an increase in activities that allow them to isolate or engage in maladaptive/addictive behaviours as mentioned above.

* Their thoughts may also reflect a general sense of hopelessness that can leave those who engage with them feeling negative and hopeless too. They may avoid conversations and may give you the misleading answer that everything is ‘fine’.

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“As a family member or close friend, if you witness any of these behaviours, you need to trust your feelings of discomfort, recognise what you are seeing, continue to be supportive and encourage the person to seek help,” Lamont stresses.

If you need to talk to someone, consider contacting either of the following organisations:

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): 0800 212223 (toll-free) or Lifeline: 0861 322322. 

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