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| Sunday, 09 March 2003 |
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by Umangi de Mel Depression, they say is the 'common cold' of psychological disorders. Practically everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. According to medical sources, it's normal to feel depressed occasionally. Lasting depression however is an illness that is more than a mood or a feeling and needs effective treatment for recovery. Symptoms - "It's a common mental disorder which we call a 'mood disorder' where a person feels tired, unable to feel happy, difficult to think, work, remember things or gets irritated and angry for the slightest thing or for no reason," says Dr. Ranil Abeysinghe, Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Peradeniya. A person who is depressed either lacks sleep or sleeps for long hours. His career or school work suffers immensely. "They not only feel miserable themselves but make those who are around them feel equally woeful," Dr. Abeysinghe says. Worst of all, he says is getting suicidal tendencies and attempt or commit suicide. Causes for depression - Among the thousands of unknown reasons for depression, 'genes' and 'severe stress' are two main detected reasons. Depression could actually run in families. Also if a person has been under severe stress for a long period, then the end result is depression. Depression is a common thing among teenagers. "Quite common but often not recognised. It's observed as bad behaviour." Dr. Abeysinghe says that parents, teachers and friends of someone who suffers from the illness assume his mysterious habits as 'bad' behaviour than a 'sad' behaviour. "It's more common among girls, for every two males there are three to four females who are developing depression." However the reactions of the two genders differ. "Especially when males are depressed they show anger and rage rather than unhappiness," he says. How it affects your life - Depression causes a lot of damage to a person's life style. "Being miserable will even bring them down in school work. The main causes for depression Dr. Abeysinghe attributed relationships and probably drug abuse," he points out adding the fact that even though drugs and alcohol are used in order to feel good, they get dependant on them in the process. When a person is depressed, his thoughts and feelings are often very negative which tend to distort reality. Our moods don't decree our thoughts. Instead our thoughts govern our moods. It's just a matter of feeling right. Depression occurs when thoughts are dominated by 'extensive negativity'. The tendency to see things around you, shadowed with gloom and believe that things actually are as bad as you imagine them to be. According to our shrink, those who are depressed, especially teenagers tend to develop very negative ideas about themselves, about those who are close to them and about the future. "I'm not pretty" "I'm not good enough" such thoughts distort reality. The gravest problem is the lack of awareness on issues as depression. People often blame it on the stars or the time, he chuckles. "We have a very high suicide rate in Sri Lanka and the causes go undetected, most of it is untreated depression," says Dr. Abeysinghe. Remedies - "It's important to realise you have a problem and seek help," he says. Mild depression requires only counselling. "Talk to a professional about your problem. But if it's more than mild, you need medication with 'anti-depressants'," and adds that severe depression in which the patient is bound to attempt suicide or refuse meals, requires admission to a hospital. "They might have to undergo 'electro convulsive therapy', he advises. Hey people, why not treat yourself like a beloved friend and chase out those blues that are totally uncalled for?! |
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