Depression can be won.
In this section, we are going to discuss and answer the
following questions.
What is depression?
What are the causes of depression?
What are the preventive measures for depression?
So many cases of depression are being reported
on daily basis, not only from Africa but also in other regions.
Life is often full of ups and downs, and when a person remains
down for a long time, they end up fallen prey to this killer illness, called
depression.
The question most people are asking;
What is depression?
According to the American Psychiatric Association,
"Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively
affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act."
In simple terms, Depression is a disorder that causes a
persistent feeling of unhappiness, loss of energy, and feeling worthlessness.
The idea is to seek help from friends and family members, and
specifically from those that you trust. You can also seek
Did you know that Kenya is now ranked the sixth country in
Africa with the largest number of depression cases? This was according to the
mental health report released in June 2020 by the World Health Organization.
An undisclosed source states that up to an average of 800 cases
of depression is reported and handled on a weekly basis at Mathare hospital in
Nairobi county alone. What about the remaining 46 counties? This is the
question that can only be answered by the ministry of health. Let see some of the causes of depression.
What are the causes of depression?
Persistent health issues.
Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and
arthritis has sent the majority of people into depression.
Kenya has the highest number of middle-class income earners,
most of whom cannot afford the high cost of healthcare services.
The expensive cost of medical insurance cover has also pushed
Kenyans to live in constant fear. I must also bring to your attention that so
many poor Kenyans have lost their lives while trying to seek medical attention
which they were never given for lack of finances.
Unemployment
Most Kenyans are living from hand to mouth, basically, what this
means is that they are relying on a day's work to give them just enough money
for the day's food. We must put into consideration that the main cause of
depression is the lack of proper income.
Living in denial
Depression is always looking for a place to land. You become a
soft spot for depression when you are living denial. You know exactly how much
you are making at the end of each day or month, but you still insist on living
far beyond your means, and you end up borrowing in order to support your
lifestyle. This is suicidal, you will be digging your own grave.
Negative and toxic
relationships.
Most cases of depression are caused by negative and toxic
relationships. Couples fights and children-parents’ standoffs are caused by so
much of unresolved issues in a relationship. Parents must constantly talk to
their children about getting involved in relationships that are overly
demanding.
Too much consumption of alcohol
and use drugs.
Most of the time we think that taking alcohol when we are faced
with a difficult situation can solve our problems, which is never true.
Excessive drinking of alcohol and misuse of drugs may make a person feel better
for a short period of time but can cause depression over time.
The following are some of the simple treatment for depression
Regular Exercise
20 to 30 minutes daily physical workout increases the production
of endorphins in your body. Endorphin is the hormones responsible for mood
improvement. Also, get involved in other activities, do something you are
passionate about.
Reach out to friends and family
Try and talk to someone you can trust concerning your situation.
The secret of this is that you will feel like something has dropped off your
shoulder.
Seek treatment
From the above definition, depression is a mental illness that
requires you to seek medical attention. My advice is, get treatment at the
early stages to prevent depression from moving from bad to worst.
Get enough sleep
Sleep has something to do with your moods. In most cases when we
start to feel fatigued and sad, it is because we are not having enough sleep.
Sleep is what cools you off from a busy day.
Nutrition
A balanced diet is good for both mental and physical health. In
small quantities, a well-balanced diet will keep your energy levels high and
make you more productive throughout the day, as well as minimize your mood
swings. Avoid sugary foods by all means.
Thank you, I hope this information will be of great help to
someone.
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