OCTOBER WAS DEPRESSION AWARENESS MONTH!

So October was DEPRESSION AWARENESS MONTH...

I thought the blog would have been open by then and I would have done justice to the topic, in writing at least, but October was a veeerrrryyyyy busy month. Shaa better late than never.

In my personal experience almost every one has gone through at least one bout of depression in their adult life. Depression is, simply put, a mood disorder involving persistent, pervasive and sustained low mood that colors the psyche of an individual negatively. Some definitions says if someone has this for two weeks or more then they are depressed(see!)

Recognize these symptoms...
1) Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities(Anhedonia)
2) Overwhelming sadness
3) Pessimism
4) Others like anorexia, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, guilt, loss of drive, weeping spells, decline in social function, suicidal ideation, etc

Depression is REAL and it happens VERY COMMONLY actually.

And you can't just "snap-out-of-it" as many of us tell our friends when they manage to confide in us about this mental illness.

It doesn't mean they don't love God enough either, as some so-called "men of God" have erroneously told their church members.

Nor does it mean they are looking for pity.

They need help! And this help can be either medical, or psychological, or both!

They need our encouragement to seek proper help. Let's stop the stigma against depression and other mental illnesses. Biko.

Please let me know in the comments section about other health-related topics you would want me to write about. Or ask any questions on depression you need clarification on. I really would love to hear from you!

Da'alu!

*shaa = "anyway" (Nigeria's pidgin language)
*biko = "please" (Nigerias Igbo language)
*Da'alu = "thank you" (Nigeria's Igbo language)