What is Clinical Depression and How Can it be Treated in Nigeria
In Nigeria, about 50 million cases of mental illnesses have been recorded. That is, 1 in 4 Nigerians have one form of mental illness or another.
Clinical depression is also recorded. It is also known as major depression. Like all other types of depression, it requires medical diagnosis by a Psychiatrist.
It is a mental disorder that is often characterized by persistent depressed mood, loss of interest in formerly interesting things. Also, a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness often engulf the person that has depression.
It is common among Nigerians for people to say that they feel depressed because of a bad incident or event. However, clinical depression is more than just a feeling of sadness or grieve of a loss. It is a mental disorder, an illness that requires a medical diagnosis, treatment, and possible rehabilitation.
What is Clinical Depression and How Can it be Treated in Nigeria
Some of these symptoms may show that a person has depression.
1. Fatigue
After a stressful day, it is normal to be tired or feel fatigued. But fatigue does not always point to depression because it may indicate other illnesses too. Fatigue caused by depression is much more than just a feeling of tiredness. The person affected struggles with a feeling of hopelessness and other symptoms too in addition to fatigue. People that experience feelings like this should seek medical help.
2. Sleep Disorder
Clinical depression or major depression as it is commonly called can make those affected have sleep disorders. They can either be having too much sleep or sleeping less.
In any case, it is often unusual and is associated with other symptoms of depression. Sleeping difficulties or too much sleep may indicate another illness so it is important to seek medical help whenever it is experienced.
The sleep abnormality is often caused by the feeling of sadness, hopelessness and guilt that makes life seem unbearable to those with major depression.
3. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
Depression makes a person have feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and sadness. These feelings deeply hurt them to the extent that they lose interest in life. They no longer find interesting the things that they once cherished such as family, friends, or activities. This feeling makes them socially withdrawn and largely negative about life in general. It does not improve with time and can get worse if medical help is not sought.
Treatment Options for Clinical Depression in Nigeria
Medical Diagnosis
Diagnosis is required to confirm if a person has depression and to guide the entire treatment process. This can be done by a competent psychiatrist. When a person has been medically confirmed to have depression, Treatment should begin as soon as possible.
There is no specified period for the treatment of depression but the best thing to do is to begin the process and make regular progress until the illness is treated.
Depression is an illness that requires medical attention as early as possible because of the fatal consequences of neglect.
Treatment
After a diagnosis has been done, Counselors and psychiatrist my guide the treatment process. This may include the introduction of antidepressants and other medications to help those that have depression. It also involves counseling sessions.
The affected person is required to follow some treatment procedures and medications as prescribed. This should be taken seriously and they must ensure strict adherence to medical advice while the treatment lasts.
If you have any concerns, you can speak with professional counselors by clicking the link below.
Synapse services offers mental health care services for people with different types of mental health issues. Our services include diagnosis and treatment.