Depression: Let’s talk

It is the World Health Day on April 7; the day marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This year's theme is Depression: Let's talk.

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration (WHO 2012). Globally more than 300 million people suffer from it. Women are affected by depression twice than men. Depression can lead to suicide. Depression can produce huge economical and social burden also.

Depression often comes with symptoms of anxiety. Depression affects the body, mind and behaviour. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how a person feels, thinks and behaves and can leads to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Person with depression may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes may feel as if his or her life is not worth living. Depression can affect anyone and it is one of the most widespread illnesses, often co-existing with other serious illnesses.

Symptoms need to be persisted at least 2 weeks in depression. Common symptoms are depressed (or irritable) mood, diminished interest or loss of pleasure in almost all activities, sleep disturbance, weight change, appetite disturbance, or failure to achieve expected weight gain, decreased concentration or indecisiveness, suicidal ideation or thoughts of death, agitation or quietness, fatigue or loss of energy and feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.

According to WHO, depression was ranked as the third leading cause of the global burden of disease in 2004 and will move into the first place by 2030.

In Bangladesh, the first national survey on mental health conducted between 2003 and 2005 documented that 16.1% of the adult population had mental disorders. In that survey depression was found in 4.6% among the adult population of Bangladesh. Another survey showed depression among children in Bangladesh is 1%. That means near about 5 million people are suffering from depression in Bangladesh.

To encounter depression it should be discussed among all and never should be tried to hide. Everybody should encourage the person with depression to seek help when available, offer company to them for appointments with professionals. Help them with everyday tasks and to have regular eating and sleeping patterns. They should also be encouraged to perform regular exercise and social activities. If they are thinking about self-harm, or have already intentionally harmed themselves, do not leave them alone.

Seek further help from the emergency services or a healthcare professional. In the meantime, remove items such as medications, sharp objects and firearms from their reach. To manage depression both the medications and psychotherapy are important, do not be afraid to take medicine or avoid mental health professionals.

The writer is an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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