Sometimes we feel low, we may feel sad or we may be in a bad mood, but that’s OK. Different moods are part of one’s life. Sometimes we do feel like this, but it’s when we feel like this for days on end, weeks and maybe even months that it’s not normal. Sometimes events and circumstances make us this way, sometimes there may not even be a real reason to feel this loss of hope or despair, and yet we do. This is depression, and it can take over our entire being and who we are. It can be overwhelming and we may start to withdraw from people, from life, from everyday tasks. Some days, it’s hard to even get out of bed, let alone try to do things everyone else is so comfortable doing.

Depression in Qatar: Some statistics

Mental illness is common across the world and, according to research undertaken in Qatar, 1 in 5 people experience a mental illness at one time or another in their lifetime, but mental health issues are often misunderstood and frequently surrounded by negative attitudes in Qatar. Changes to mental health service delivery and increasing awareness about mental illness can improve the lives of many in Qatar.

In Qatar, anxiety and depression make up about 17.5% of the mental health disorders that are diagnosed in Qatar, with 20% of these people having severe depression and those most at risk are mostly between 30-40 years of age, but thanks to the ever-growing mental healthcare services in Qatar, almost 80% of patients with mental illness are able to gain treatment and recover.

Depression and its symptoms

By understanding that depression is a serious problem that not only affects our mental wellbeing, but is dangerous for our physical health as well, and seeking help, the better and easier will be our healing. It sounds really easy, doesn’t it, but is it? If it were that simple, celebrities like Kate Spade, designer par excellence, and Anthony Bourdain, a world-renowned chef, would not have taken their own lives. So, what is depression, and how can we treat it?

We must keep in mind, that we may undergo some of the symptoms given below, but that does not necessarily mean that we or someone close to us is depressed. It’s important to try to distinguish between feeling some of the symptoms some of the times, and undergoing them on a more regular basis, over weeks and months. Losing interest in activities once enjoyed, staying away from people whose company was once looked forward to, and feeling a sense of loneliness, unworthiness and hopelessness that doesn’t seem to go away; that is depression and its symptoms are:

1. Moods and feelings

• Sadness (“Life is not worth living”)
• Misery (“I don’t want to get out of bed ever”)
• Lack of self-confidence (“I am not worthy of anything”; “I am not good at anything”)
• Irritability (“Why did this happen to me?”)
• Unhappiness (“Nobody likes me”; “nobody cares about me”)
• Sense of disappointment (“I couldn’t even do a simple thing like that”)
• Frustration (“Why can’t I get anything right?”)
• Guilt (“It’s all my fault”)
• Self-loathing (“I hate myself; I hate my life”)

2. Behavior

• The inability to concentrate on school or work
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Reliance on sedatives and/or alcohol
• Staying home too much
• The inability to enjoy activities once enjoyed
• Recklessness

3. Physical

• Difficulty sleeping
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Tiredness
• Feeling sick
• Headaches and/or muscular aches

4. More severe symptoms

• Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Physical sickness
• Anorexia or bulimia
• Social isolation
• Self-harm, like cutting oneself and hurting oneself physically on purpose
• Death from physical health issues

Depression prevention

Though depression requires medical intervention and help should be sought immediately, as soon as we feel even some of the above symptoms or feel someone close to us is experiencing some of them, there are ways that can help, to an extent, prevent depression.

1.Try to control stress and stress factors

Do not worry unnecessarily worry about things that are beyond control. Find activities that trigger happiness and reduce stress; take a break or take a holiday. Exercise, exercise and exercise.

2.Talk to family and friends

Talking to someone always helps, and perhaps, helps gain a different perspective on something that is giving undue stress or hindering everyday activities.

3.Seek treatment at the first signs of depression

This will prevent the depression from getting worse and healing will be easier and faster.

Medical treatment for depression

If making certain lifestyle changes or talking with friends and family does not help and the depression lingers, it’s time to get medical help. By sticking with the treatment prescribed by a mental health professional, depression can be cured and we can lead a normal life once again.

1. Therapy

A therapist can help treat depression effectively and make us whole again. Through therapy, a therapist provides tools and measures that can help treat depression using different medically proven approaches along with the motivation necessary to get better. This therapy can also prevent a relapse of the depression and provide an insight as to what signs to look for in case we start feeling depressed again.

2. Medication

Medication is, especially necessary, if there are feelings of suicide or the tendency to become violent. Although, this may not be a permanent solution to the problem, it does help provide some relief from the depression. However, these anti-depressants often come with side effects, so exercise must be cautioned when using it. All anti-depressants must be taken as prescribed by the mental health professional.

If you think you or someone around you is showing signs of depression, please talk to someone and seek medical intervention-the sooner the better!

Click on the following link for places to go in Qatar if you or someone close to you is suffering from depression: Where to go in Qatar if you or someone close to you is depressed

Do you know someone who may be depressed? How are you helping them? Do let us know what you think in our comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Nabeela

Content Writer

Start a discussion