By Nosike Cynthia
Depression is a common, yet serious mental disorder that negatively affects how someone feels, thinks, acts and perceives the world. Unknowing to many people, it is truly a disability. Beyond Blue identified 4 common types of depression; major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.
In a country like Nigeria, plagued by numerous economic problems leading to poor living conditions, and very minimal attention to mental health; several citizens are depressed yet oblivious of the disability.
Some pointers to depression include; persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness; loss of interest or pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed; changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, thoughts of death or suicide.
The big question is – ARE YOU DEPRESSED? DO YOU KNOW OR RECOGNISE DEPRESSION?
With the benefit of hindsight, I can share my story about depression.
We had just finished our family prayer that faithful Thursday morning, the wind flung into our window sending a fresh wave of cold through the sitting room. I looked at my phone, it was 6:30am.
Just like every other morning in the last three months preceeding that day, we’d prayed to God to heal Dad. Everyone who cared had their separate prayer session individually and collectively, all we wanted was for him to get back on his feet. But all those prayers came to an end that morning when the dreaded call came in – “I don’t know what your dad is doing oh.” I felt my spirit detach from my body. I hoped it wasn’t what I was thinking. I prayed it wasn’t.
I rushed to the hospital and there all my fears were staring me in the face. Papa was lying lifeless on the hospital bed. Pain and guilt enveloped me. Pain from the loss of someone who had given his all to make life smooth for me and guilt from thinking that perhaps I didn’t do enough, perhaps the foods I served him leading to that day had contributed to his health degradation.
Depression wasn’t a word I was used to, so I couldn’t say I was depressed. I couldn’t differentiate between grieving and being depressed. All I wanted was a chance to right all I had wronged. Had I known he wouldn’t stay for long, I would have let him engage and converse in the last hospital appointment I went to with him (smiles) he was so engrossed in the movie and chatting about the characters and storyline, then, I tapped “Dad reduce your voice”. I should have let him talk as much as he wanted.
Was I feeling depressed? How would I know when I hadn’t seen anyone depressed before? I hadn’t even read about it, so what was it?
Minutes grew into hours and I watched my life turn to something I couldn’t express. I didn’t know who to talk to about my feelings, because I wasn’t the first person who would lose a loved one, and certainly not the last. I didn’t think my feelings were valid enough to even discuss with anyone.
I needed to speak to someone at the time, but I didn’t know better. For several months and years, I endured pangs of depression which affected my overall output in most aspects of my life.
Don’t allow your story be a replica of mine! You should talk to a therapist or loved one about such traumatic experiences. Mental health issues affect the standard of your living of many Nigerians, but they keep hiding their pains and depression behind the funny skits and entertainment on the social space?
According to reports published in 2021, Nigeria has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa. In the same year, the Deputy Director of Medical Social Services, at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and the training coordinator, of the Suicide Research Prevention Initiative, SURPRIN, Dr. Titilayo Tade, the suicide rate in Nigeria had increased from 6.5/100,000 in 2019 to 6.9/100,000 in 2021 and currently stands at 9.5/100,000.
Do you know in the event of a failed suicide attempt; Section 327 of the Criminal Code criminalizes a failed suicide attempt punishable by 1-year imprisonment?
Like me, do you feel your feelings aren’t valid enough to be taken seriously as a mental health challenge? Do you even know depression can be hereditary according to data from Medicine Net? How much do you guide your mental health jealously, not letting life events steal your joy, happiness, and willingness to explore the beauties of life? We live in such a beautiful world, and your feelings are justified, they are worth every attention.
You are worth every attention. Like me, you could choose to heal and cope one day at a time with what you are feeling or talk to someone. Every life matters and together, superb mental health can be achieved irrespective of how deeply rooted your pain or problem is. It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, especially if there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Early interventions can lead to better outcomes.