PEOPLE from different parts of the world mourn the passing of the genius that was Robin Williams, who was found dead, reportedly because of suicide, in his own home in Tiburon Island, San Francisco last August 11. With a remarkable career in the entertainment industry that had spanned four decades, people could hardly make sense of how this highly successful man could have possibly took his own life.
Robin Williams had been very open about his battle with depression and addiction in recent years, and had even used these “demons” as material for some of his stand-up comedy performances. But his death made many of us really talk about these “demons”, and how many precious lives have been taken because of these.
Up to this age of modern medicine, many people still do not understand depression and addiction. Both are deemed as weaknesses of a person, a condition believed by many to be caused by a person’s lack of will to look at the “bright side” and count his blessings; a lack of commitment to make the right and moral choices in life.
Many know that life events cause depression, but new scientific studies, however, reveal that depression and addiction are diseases that are also caused by the way the brain is wired, the person’s biochemistry, hormones, and even genetics. In these cases, it is something a person has no absolute control over, other than to seek medical help to manage it.
Indeed, it is very easy for us to be supportive of anyone battling against physiologic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, or any other type of illness. But the emotional and social support remains lacking for those battling mental/psychological diseases. There remains some stigma that prevents those inflicted with mental illnesses to come out and seek help.
Unfortunately, there is a growing number of people who lose their battle against these diseases. They resort to suicide because at the depths of their depression, it just seemed to be “the “right thing to do.”
The key to helping people with this kind of severe challenges is to help them seek medical help. But how do we know if we or someone we love are indeed “depressed” and not just lonely, emotional, “maarte” or KSP?
Let me share with you some information from Mayo Clinic:
DEPRESSION is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life isn’t worth living.
More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply “snap out” of. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both. Other treatments also may help.
Symptoms
During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness or unhappiness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, such as sex
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so that even small tasks take extra effort
• Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness — for example, excessive worrying, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that are not your responsibility
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
For some people, depression symptoms are so severe that it’s obvious something isn’t right. Other people feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Types of depression
Depression affects each person in different ways, so symptoms caused by depression vary from person to person. To clarify the type of depression you have, your doctor may add information to your depression diagnosis called a specifier. Specifiers include having depression with specific features, such as:
• Anxious distress — unusual restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control
• Mixed features — simultaneous depression and mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much, and racing thoughts and ideas
• Melancholic features — severe depression with a profound lack of response to something that used to bring pleasure, associated with early morning awakening, worsened mood in the morning, significant changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, agitation or sluggishness
• Atypical features — ability to be cheered by happy events, increased appetite, little need for sleep, sensitivity to rejection, and a heavy feeling in arms or legs
• Psychotic features — depression accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, which may involve themes of personal inadequacy or negative themes
• Catatonia — includes motor activity that involves either uncontrollable and purposeless movement or fixed and inflexible posture
• Peripartum onset — occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum)
• Seasonal pattern — related to changes in seasons and diminished exposure to sunlight
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common symptoms of depression in children and teens are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.
• In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
• In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
• Depression may occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of growing older and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, including:
• Memory difficulties or personality changes
• Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, aches or loss of interest in sex, which are not caused by a medical condition or medication
• Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
• Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
When to see a doctor
If you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you can. Depression often gets worse if it isn’t treated. Untreated depression can lead to other mental and physical health problems or troubles in other areas of your life. Feelings of depression can also lead to suicide.
If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, a health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.
If you have suicidal thoughts
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, get help right away. Here are some steps you can take:
• Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
• Contact a minister, a spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
• Call a suicide hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Make an appointment with your doctor, mental health provider or other health care provider.
When to get emergency help
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
If you have a loved one who is in danger of committing suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
