Depressed: Lunatic or normal person in need of support?

Depression is often referred to as the ‘common cold’ of psychiatry. It is one of the most common mental illnesses and many people have suffered from depression at some point in their life. They are likely to feel anxious, miserable, lonely and sometimes even guilty. Every once in a while, we all tend to experience mood swings. The temporary feeling of anger, pain or misery is normal. However, depression is much more critical and intense. It tends to last for a long time and interferes with our personality and daily life.
According to a recent study that Arab News previously published about, the rate of depression in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, is 7 percent higher than the rest of the world. The figure is alarming due to a recent link found between depression and patients’ functional impairment. As the gravity of depression increases, it becomes more difficult for a patient to function normally at social gatherings, at home or at work.
Depression is increasingly becoming a global health problem; the main issue is not in the problem alone but the social stigma attached to depression. People are usually uncomfortable talking about their mental state of health and many victims seem to be oblivious to their suffering. The complex nature of the mind is difficult for people to comprehend. Hence, society will respond negatively to victims of depression. Patients are often labeled as “lunatics” and people are rarely willing to accept that depression is a real mental disorder and if left untreated it could become fatal.
Some studies state that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. Postnatal depression is common amongst new mothers who may feel emotional and tearful, a condition known as the ‘baby blues’. This might happen due to the hormonal changes in your body, added responsibility and mostly due to the major change in life due to the baby.
Depression can also be caused by the social and cultural constraints that women face. Genetics also has an impact on the mental state of mind increasing the probability of depression in some people. Sometimes, the loss of someone dear or a breakup causes a person to fall into depression.
Housewives are more inclined to depression because of major dependence on their husband and a lack of a social life of their own.
Dr. Arwa Arab, a psychologist and a lecturer at King Abdulaziz University says, “A person can be labeled as a depressed patient if the symptoms prolong up to six months or more. One of the main symptoms is when a person constantly feels down in the dumps or unrealistically negative about himself or herself. Housewives often feel neglected or incompetent which may lead toward depression. Depression causes withdrawal from the outside world and a lack of interest or motivation in life. Many people do not realize that depression is a very complicated syndrome. There are different stages of depression starting from mild depression leading up to a more severe kind.”
Arab further explains that the first and foremost thing is to visit a therapist and learn about your mental state. In addition to that, self- help has also proven to be fruitful. This requires the patient to be completely aware of their condition and to have a strong will to recover.
Here are some tips to cure from depression.
• Do not withdraw from life. It will only worsen your condition.
• Keep in touch with family and friends and keep them informed about your well-being so they can keep an eye on you.
• Take up some form of exercise. Studies show that exercise is very important.
• Follow a routine, which includes adequate amount of sleep and proper meals.
• The most significant road to recovery is to consult a therapist. Do not shy away from your disorder and ask for help immediately.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry highlighted the large gap in the Middle East between people needing treatment and those who are actually receiving help for depression.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that 75 percent of people with depression, especially in developing countries are inadequately treated.
“Mental disorders continue to be a major social stigma which further leads to worsening the problem. We need to eliminate such a mindset and remove the prejudice attached to mental conditions. Conducting lectures, spreading awareness about depression and educating children at school can help this. In addition, brochures should be distributed informing people about the hazards of depression if left untreated and undiagnosed,” says Arab.

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