Depression - The tell-tale signs

By Melody Ajiambo

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical condition that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.

Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and home.

In Kenya, depression is widely disregarded; most people never think of it as a serious medical condition that needs treatment.

Sometimes, people misuse the word when they feel a little bit stressed or when they have lost control of the situation. So, when someone says they are depressed, people don’t take it seriously.

Mrs. Edith Nelima Masibo, a counseling psychologist at Kenyatta National Hospital sheds some light on this topic.

She explains that depression is more common in the country than we think.

“This condition affects people of all ages regardless of social status or cultural background and that even though it is prevalent among the youth, children can be depressed too,” she says.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people sunk into depression. The youth became bored and unproductive in their homes while most parents lost their jobs and sources of income.

Some senior members of the society were deserted by their providers. With many experiencing pandemic fatigue, gender-based violence within families increased, plunging society into nightmarish depression.

Further risk factors include the experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, a relationship breakup, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and family conflict.

Suicide and homicide cases related to depression are higher than ever in Kenya’s history. There is a need to address this problem and find a lasting solution, but first, how can we help? How can you tell that someone is truly depressed?

• Persistent feeling of sadness. • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting • Unexplained physical ailments • Trouble sleeping or sleeping

too much • Loss of energy or increased fatigue • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others) • Feeling worthless or guilty/ low self-esteem • Talking negatively about themselves. • Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions • Thoughts of death or suicide

With our close friends and family, we may easily notice signs of depression, the same can’t be said about our workplaces – we spend a short period socially with our colleagues.

Furthermore, some people know how to hide their problems, a depressed person may be the comedian of the group or the carefree guy that offers the best advice.

However, if we are keen enough, we may just see some personality changes in a depressed person.

More often than not, people experiencing severe depression become suicidal (attempt or sometimes take away their own

lives).

When a suicide occurs, it is mostly impulsive, in moments of crisis. Some of these extreme factors like suicide and self-inflicted injuries are truly a cry for help. The victim usually feels like there is no way out, hence they start acting out.

Mrs. Nelima says the uptake of counseling services within the country is very low.

“Most people either do not know or don’t appreciate counseling services offered in different institutions. Others think that if one starts seeing a psychiatrist then it means they are mad, and many more cannot afford these services.”

When depressed, sometimes counseling alone does not help, the patient has to be put under medication, mostly anti-depressants then continue with counseling. How can you help?

When one shows signs of depression, you can take time to talk to that person and find out what exactly is depressing them.

The awake magazine of 2009 from jw.org states that there are different types of depression; major depression (major depression), manic depression (bipolar disorder), dysthymia, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder.

Once you know which one your friend or colleague is suffering from, you can easily help.

Give a listening ear, more than quick advice. Don’t judge! – people are different, a problem that may be easy for you to solve may greatly affect another person.

Cautiously suggest that he/she seeks professional help and be there for them through the healing journey.

Do not discuss that issue with other people. Offer practical help, assist in cleaning, shopping, and house chores - as discussed earlier, depressed persons may find it hard to even practice personal hygiene.

Patients who suffer from clinical depression need all the support they can get, including whatever medical approach might be advisable. It can be risky to ignore depression because in some cases when left untreated it can be life-threatening. Be the help you may need.

“Depression is real, mental health is real. We need to find a way of making stress management a lifestyle because every human being will come across stress at some point in life.” Advises Nelima.

PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA

On 7th October 2021, KNH received ventilators and testing kits worth over Kshs. 25 million from Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi and the European Union through collaboration with the Ministry of Health in an effort to ensure all referral hospitals in Kenya are well resourced with essential equipment to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation is part of the European Union-funded project “Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Regional Eastern Africa COVID-19 Response Partnership” that aims at improving systemic, gender-sensitive responses to overcome health, economic and social vulnerabilities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Africa. Speaking at the handover ceremony, AKUH, N CEO Rashid Khalani noted that the donation was carefully considered given the need that has been previously expressed by the Ministry of Health. “As a healthcare provider, AKUH, N fully appreciates the importance of well-equipped critical care units in providing the care needed by COVID-19 patients. We are glad that we can play our part in supporting the government to provide this care,” noted Mr. Rashid Khalani, CEO AKUH during the handover ceremony. Also in attendance was Mr. George Ooko, Board Chairman, KNH who recognized the great gesture by stating, “we appreciate the support from AKUH, N and the European Union. It takes effort from all of us to fight this pandemic and this coming together is a good step towards winning this war. This gesture you have extended to our patients is a demonstration of your trust and confidence in our mandate. We say a big thank you to Aga Khan University Hospital and its networks.”