DEPRESSION IN MY PERSPECTIVE

Hey dear reader

Prelude bated breath and heart pit-a-pat!!! There’s a widely spread notion about mental condition clinging to poor character as the person inures shame and judgement for their lack of interest, responsibility, participation, and ability to just “get over it”. Although part of me wishes it was that easy!
My distinguished beloved readers and….. well, Ladies(pun intended) since they are more likely to experience it or have an episode in their lives than men, it’s with ecstasy, almost frenzy, that I would like to engross your attention about an issue that causes over half of all suicide worldwide…..damn!! Okay for those who haven’t read between the lines, the incentive behind this is all about something most people belittle, and many have heard or read about; that common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel(like fr), the way you think and lastly, how you act!
DEPRESSION is very common as about 15% of adolescents and young adults will experience it. It first appears in late teens to mid-20’s and the average age in grownups is 31-32years. Sadly, the earliest age children experience depression is dropping. In fact, studies show that children as young as three, can be diagnosed with clinical depression! There’s on type called postpartum depression which affects or it occurs after birth……Huhhh!!!! This may sound bewildering and astounding……. but guess what? Pump your brakes Gen Z one, there’s a light side( meaning in this segment, there’s light at the end of the tunnel)…. Depression can be treated and by the way, 80% to 90% of people who get treatment and I’m talking from psychotherapy(aka talk therapy), CBT(cognitive based therapy) ie as this mainly focuses on accomplishing tasks set timely and have to be completed before advancing to next stage, to antidepressant( yeah, these help in biochemistry since differences in chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression). Seniors/adults show signs/symptoms of depression in;
• Abuse of prescription
• Breaking medical regimens( going off prescribed diets and/or medications)
• Poor diets or changes in appetite, malnutrition, dehydration
• Preoccupation with death or lack of concern about personal safety. Remarks such as “This is the last time you’ll see me” or ”I won’t be needing anymore appointments or meetings”, should raise concern.
• Feeling worthless or guilty.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Stating to wish to die/Thoughts of death
Most signs of loss are sometimes confused with depression for example grief but not all people who are grieving are depressed as in case of loss, there maybe mixed feelings of happiness, laughter and sadness to celebrate the lives of those lost or moments they shared, but for the case of depression, the signs of sadness or worthlessness can last up to two weeks🙂
Personally, I’m…. well I wouldn’t say I’m happy but for the purposes of this segment, I’ve had my “fair share” and I mean “fair”share of depression and trust me mans… trust me… Well for beginners, at that time, like me, I didn’t know what was going on. I thought it was only overwhelming stress(didn’t know this also caused depression), y’all know that first semester at campus… When your not used to the new environment, campus, that thing called lectures(I didn’t know where the lecture rooms where as orientation was done…. wait for it…”online”), sijuii enrollment and central registration, the exams,and then the portal having issues as fees ain’t reflected there, late payments…. and of course, without forgetting that scourge of a pandemic as we had to go back home amidst the semester!! Pheewww!!! And then, amidst all of this, it was accompanied with an ice cold breakup😂I was so stressed that I didn’t even get time to read! I recall not feeling hunger for three days as I was missing lectures, discussions and when i thought it couldn’t get any worse, I lost my admission letter! So I couldn’t register without it! And I spent two weeks before exams just in process of getting another one. And all this greatly affected my performance that semester. It wasn’t till I went for counseling that I got help! Reel-talk guys, psychotherapy really helps if it’s in early stages. Luckily, I hadn’t reached antidepressants stage! Btw I also lost weight(1kg of course- that’s alot🙂)
Depression is mainly in three types ie clinical(major) depression( this is the most common as it can take almost two weeks), bipolar disorder( here a person exhibits elevated and excited behavior and mainly mood swings), and repetitive minor depression( this is depression that occurs occasionally and may not be major as it happens after some time interval).
Depression can be caused by many risk factors;
• Personality: People with low low self esteem who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
• Environmental factors: continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty(huh) may make some people more vulnerable to depression.
• Biochemistry as I had said because of differences in brain chemicals.
• Hereditary: It can be passed on to newborn as in the case of twins, if one experiences depression, there’s a 70% chance the other one might experience it in there lives.
Bipolar(psychiatric illness characterized by both manic and depressive episodes, or manic ones only) disorder can be in many forms ie bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 and even bipolar 3.
“Talk” therapy helps a lot accompanied with antidepressants as effects can be seen within 3 to 4 months. If no change, then your medical doctor is required to change the dose of antidepressants.
Lastly, if you show any signs or you usually have thoughts of death, please seek help! If it’s a friend please don’t forsake them, depression can lead to suicide because someone feels they have no point of living or why they should go on with life! Please do check on your mates, and if they are depressed, refer them to counseling, for those who can reach psychiatrists, do the same.
Otherwise its all in
~Arthur Shelby’s voice🕵🏻‍♂️
Cyrus🧟‍♂️

About Author

Cyrus Amumpeire, University representative for KYU

Is a second year industrial engineering and management student at Kyambogo University. He loves spending most of his time watching(entertainment), playing volleyball and sometimes reading novels.

Fact: He’s an introvert and selective, and prefers himself some alone time although he’s social and can be rowdy. In first year, he had his first depression episode and through treatment, it has helped him to talk about it .