According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Depresion which is also known as depressive disorder, is a mood disorder which causes severe symptoms that affects how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.
Although curable, depression if not quickly tended to leads to more dangerous consequences such as self harm, suicide and so on. According to the Science Daily website, 121 million people out of the world population are affected by depression and depression is responsible for about 850,000 deaths yearly.
During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria which took place in Lagos state, Dr. Akin Gabriel at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, highlights a concerning statistic: approximately 40% of Nigerian women experience symptoms of depression. Dr. Gabriel’s findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and support for mental health issues among Nigerian women. This revelation sheds light on the significant impact of depression on the well-being of women in Nigeria and emphasizes the importance of accessible mental health resources and support systems.”
He noted that anyone could be affected with depression and self awareness is the best way to know if one’s mental health is being affected negatively in one way or the other. Also speaking about the signs of depression Dr Akin Gabriel said, “Humans will begin to observe the changes within themselves though they may not understand these changes.
“When an individual realises that things he or she does with ease were getting difficult to be done or realise that situations they were able to easily manoeuvre is becoming complex, they should begin to ask questions.
“When an individual begins to have strange feelings; responds spontaneously to situations without a thought; easy to anger, always on edge, misdirects aggression, something is wrong.”
Speaking further, he spoke about the negative impacts of depression on this affected,
“Depressed people think they have fallen short of assumed benchmark of achievements when they compare themselves with others, making them withdraw from people. Such people sometimes feel hopeless and unloved, leading to suicidal thoughts and actions,”
“A depressed person may not dress like he or she used to, but still passable under mild depression.
“By moderate, others are beginning to notice some differences; the person is not looking as well kept as he used to be.
“Maybe the mood has dropped; the person is not as spontaneous as he or she used to be; there may be sleep issues, attention, focus, appetite and weight issues.
“If not taken care of, the symptoms will affect the daily life of the depressed person and everyone begins to notice because it affects relationships,”
He concluded by encouraging both men and women to seek help when it is noticed that they are going through depression instead of trying to deal with it on their own.