14th June 2020
Musings.......
The year 2020 has been a tough year considering we are in the midst of a pandemic. Apparently the lockdown has taken a toll on mental health too. It was with initial disbelief that we all heard of the apparent suicide by hanging, of popular movie star Sushant Singh Rajput.
This rude shock has raised concerns on the important issue of mental health. You may be surprised at the amount of people suffering from depression. Many hide the fact, and most cases of depression do not come out owing to it being a social stigma.
It was brave of a movie star like Deepika Padukone to come out and speak out about her clinical depression which has increased awareness on the illness and also helped reduce the social stigma associated with it.
It is of paramount importance to recognise mental health problems in near and dear ones at the earliest.
This may include-
- [ ] Changes in sleep patterns
- [ ] Difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
- [ ] Worsening of health problems
- [ ] Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs
In persons with previous history of mental illness who may face newer challenges during self-isolation
- [ ] They would also have the same fears and stress as others which may worsen their previous mental health condition.
- [ ] Social isolation may make them more withdrawn, moody and irritable
- [ ] They may not get easy access to medicines and counselling
A constant sense of hopelessness and despair is a sign you may have Major depression, also known as Clinical depression.
It may be difficult to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy friends and activities. It can be a single episode or recur several times in a lifetime.
Clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, sometimes particularly in the morning and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships - symptoms that are present every day for at least 2 weeks.
Other symptoms to look for include-
-Fatigue
-Feeling of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
-Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
-Insomnia or hypersomnia ( excessive sleeping) almost every day
-Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (anhedonia)
-Restlessness or feeling slowed down
-Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
-Significant weight loss or gain.
If you have had an episode of depression, you are at high risk of having another. The best way to prevent another episode of depression is to be aware of the triggers or causes of major depression, and to continue taking the prescribed medication to avoid relapse.
According to WHO India is one of the most depressed countries. Around 9% in India has experienced extended periods of depression at least once within their lifetime, nearly 36% have suffered from Major Depressive Episodes (MDE).
If you are feeling depressed, remmber that -
-You can be beautiful and depressed
-You can be successful and depressed
-You can be young and depressed
-You can have everything going for you and still be depressed
Depression is a disease and a disability. It is not a choice and we can’t necessarily control it.
The best way to cope with stigma is to speak out against stigma , join a support group and making sure stigma do not create self doubt or shame.
Finally depression can happen to anyone. It can happen, as we have seen even to a successful “ movie star” who are generally considered to have accomplished the societal notion of success.
It is important first and foremost to recognise that you are suffering from depression, early and seek professional help.
General awareness on the issue too will go a long way in removing stigma and prevent further losses of lives to depression.
Food for Thought.......
(Inputs from who.int, mohfw.gov.in)
rohitchennithala.blogspot.com
rohitchennithala.home.blog
The year 2020 has been a tough year considering we are in the midst of a pandemic. Apparently the lockdown has taken a toll on mental health too. It was with initial disbelief that we all heard of the apparent suicide by hanging, of popular movie star Sushant Singh Rajput.
This rude shock has raised concerns on the important issue of mental health. You may be surprised at the amount of people suffering from depression. Many hide the fact, and most cases of depression do not come out owing to it being a social stigma.
It was brave of a movie star like Deepika Padukone to come out and speak out about her clinical depression which has increased awareness on the illness and also helped reduce the social stigma associated with it.
It is of paramount importance to recognise mental health problems in near and dear ones at the earliest.
This may include-
- [ ] Changes in sleep patterns
- [ ] Difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
- [ ] Worsening of health problems
- [ ] Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs
In persons with previous history of mental illness who may face newer challenges during self-isolation
- [ ] They would also have the same fears and stress as others which may worsen their previous mental health condition.
- [ ] Social isolation may make them more withdrawn, moody and irritable
- [ ] They may not get easy access to medicines and counselling
A constant sense of hopelessness and despair is a sign you may have Major depression, also known as Clinical depression.
It may be difficult to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy friends and activities. It can be a single episode or recur several times in a lifetime.
Clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, sometimes particularly in the morning and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships - symptoms that are present every day for at least 2 weeks.
Other symptoms to look for include-
-Fatigue
-Feeling of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
-Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
-Insomnia or hypersomnia ( excessive sleeping) almost every day
-Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (anhedonia)
-Restlessness or feeling slowed down
-Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
-Significant weight loss or gain.
If you have had an episode of depression, you are at high risk of having another. The best way to prevent another episode of depression is to be aware of the triggers or causes of major depression, and to continue taking the prescribed medication to avoid relapse.
According to WHO India is one of the most depressed countries. Around 9% in India has experienced extended periods of depression at least once within their lifetime, nearly 36% have suffered from Major Depressive Episodes (MDE).
If you are feeling depressed, remmber that -
-You can be beautiful and depressed
-You can be successful and depressed
-You can be young and depressed
-You can have everything going for you and still be depressed
Depression is a disease and a disability. It is not a choice and we can’t necessarily control it.
The best way to cope with stigma is to speak out against stigma , join a support group and making sure stigma do not create self doubt or shame.
Finally depression can happen to anyone. It can happen, as we have seen even to a successful “ movie star” who are generally considered to have accomplished the societal notion of success.
It is important first and foremost to recognise that you are suffering from depression, early and seek professional help.
General awareness on the issue too will go a long way in removing stigma and prevent further losses of lives to depression.
Food for Thought.......
(Inputs from who.int, mohfw.gov.in)
rohitchennithala.blogspot.com
rohitchennithala.home.blog
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