LIFESTYLE NEWS - Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Anyone suffering from depression will tell you, it’s not imaginary or “all in your head.” Depression is more than just feeling “down.” It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry.
Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms.
Depression is a serious condition. It’s also, unfortunately, a common one. The World Health Organization characterizes depression as one of the most disabling disorders in the world, affecting roughly one in five women and one in ten men at some point in their lifetime. Depression does not discriminate. Men and women of every age, educational level, and social and economic background suffer from depression.
There is no area of life that does not suffer when depression is present. Marriage, parenting, friendships, careers, finances – every aspect of daily living is compromised by this disease. Once an episode of depression occurs, it is also quite likely that it will recur. And the impact of depression can be even more severe when it occurs in combination with other medical illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, or cardiovascular disease, or with related disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse.
The problems caused by depression are made worse by the fact that most people suffering from the disease are never diagnosed, let alone treated. The good news is that when depression is promptly identified and treated, its symptoms are manageable and there are many effective strategies for living with the disease. Depression and bipolar disorder are both treated most effectively in their earliest stages when symptoms are less severe.
If you feel depressed you can get help at your nearest clinic. A sister at the clinic will speak to the person who is feeling depressed, after which a diagnosis will be made. All clinics offer psychiatric services that include the provision of medicine, psychiatrists and psychologists. In the case of an emergency, the patient can go to the local hospital.
- Alma Clinic: 044 693 0732
- Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital: 044 691 2011
- Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393
- SADAG Mental Health Line: 011 234 4837
- Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit 24 Hour: 0861 435 787
- Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline: 0800 70 80 90
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Klein-Karoo, Hessequa news'
