I am depression

Disclaimer: I am not a psychiatrist and this should not be used to diagnose either yourself and/or others. Only qualified professionals can diagnose illnesses. If you suspect that you or someone close to you suffers from depression, please talk to someone you trust, visit your everyday doctor or psychiatrist or talk to a qualified therapist. I will also put organizations you can reach out to towards the end of this piece. It is important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
Now that I’m done with disclaimers and hope you will use this article for good. Let me get right on it!
Information is power and the famous quote, ‘my people die because of knowledge’ always comes to mind. Stigma brews in the not so wonderful environment of ignorance and the best way to combat it is to have true and factual information.
Depression is a mood disorder which well, affects a person’s mood; how we feel. It mostly manifests in episodes just like that favourite show of yours. Just like in covid-19 where the time factor has been emphasized, the same is true for depression. Symptoms of depression usually last for at least 14 days or more in some cases. These 14 days are what is called an episode (or more than that in some cases). There is another disorder which lasts for at least two year, dysthymia, but I’m going to focus on a depression episode. It is worth noting that depressive episodes can recur especially when left untreated.
The symptoms I am about to describe show a marked difference/change from your normal functioning. What this means is that there is a difference in your everyday way of life. Yaani ni tofauti na vile maisha yako huwa kwa kawaida.
The first two major symptoms are: a) a depressed mood which may be described as sadness and low mood. b) Loss of pleasure or interest even for activities that were once pleasurable such as reading, playing, drawing, writing, exercising and many others. Normally, one of these two is present.
The other symptoms are:
1. Insomnia (lack of sleep) or hypersomnia (excess sleep).
2. Fatigue or loss of energy.
3. Feeling worthless and excessive inappropriate guilt. Meaning that nothing warrants or explains the guilt you feel.
4. Lowered ability to concentrate or indecisiveness.
5. Recurrent thoughts about your death and suicidal thoughts even with a plan.
6. Significant weight loss or weight gain even when not dieting and increased or reduced appetite.
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation which in simple terms may translate to sitting or standing without movement (retardation) or pacing and being restless (agitation).
Note that the above symptoms occur most of the day and nearly every day during the entirety of the depressive episode.
The symptoms cause a diminished or reduced functionality either at work, school or social life. Yaani, one functions less. It becomes hard to do everyday tasks that would have otherwise been performed with ease.

The symptoms are not better explained by a medical condition, another mental health condition or the effects of a drug whether prescribed or otherwise.

Some of the symptoms are observable by others and they may actually notice the change; 7, 6 while others are felt by the individual themselves; 1, 2,3,4,5. Other symptoms like crying too much (more than usual even with no explanation), negative thoughts and self-isolation/withdrawing from people may be present.

So, why go all the trouble of describing all these symptoms? I have various reasons actually:
1. So that you can be aware of what depression actually looks like. It is an illness with symptoms and all.
2. So that you can be able to seek help either for yourself or for someone else if you suspect that’s what has been happening. Remember, this is not a self-diagnosing piece
3. To increase your knowledge.
4. To stop belittling depression and making it look like a just another thing that’s trending. We are becoming more aware and talking more about mental health but there is a risk of making mental health conditions look so mundane.
5. To break the stigma! That lady isn’t just lazy all of a sudden, you can’t just snap out of an illness, can you? We need to be empathetic of what someone is undergoing when they have a depressive episode.

Now that you know what a depressive episode is like, I think you should know how Professionals, diagnose it. There is no laboratory test; no blood, nasal swab, stool or machine needed. Diagnosis is done by taking your history; when symptoms started, how you feel, how you behave, family info, what’s been happening in your life, any traumas and interaction with drugs from you and someone close to you and also by use of accredited assessment tools that are later analysed together with your history.
Did I hear you asking how Depression is treated? Oh yes, depression is actually treatable and people do recover. Depending on the assessment of a professional (please note how much I’m emphasizing on professional), medication and or psychotherapy may be used.
Of course one might not have all the above symptoms and I will not tell you how many you need to have.

If you are worried or feel that you or someone close to you may be suffering from a depressive episode or depression as we commonly call it, there is help! Befrienders Kenya, RedCrosss 1199, Chiromo Mental health hospital are some of the organizations that provide help either in person or virtually. Even going to your local doctor who then connects you with mental health services is highly recommended.
Ps, it is common to self-diagnose, you know you’ve been doing it since covid-19 started. If worried you are going through a depressive episode or have encountered it, please seek relevant help. Better safe. If you can’t live with an upset stomach for three days with no help, why should you live with depressive symptoms for more than a week???
There is help!
#breakthestigma
By Kness