This article is about how to overcome depression in hard times. Everyone go through alot in life and this could lead to depression. That’s why we decided to interview a clinical psychologist on the issue of depression.

My name is Ademola Glory Osonamhe, I am an indigene of Ososo town in Akoko Edo state Nigeria. I was born in Ibadan and I grew up there. I am from a closely knitted family, my dad is a Clergyman, my mum is teacher by profession. I am a graduate of Psychology from the University of Ado Ekiti, now Ekiti state university. Had my second degree from University of Lagos, Nigeria.

I would consider myself as someone who likes to explore, I love adventure and my mantra is all things are possible to them that believe. My studying Psychology was what I never intended, but I never regretted. I wanted to study computer science, after attempting JAMB about 3 times with different universities, I was offered to study Psychology. I couldn’t pronounce ‘Psychology’ properly because it was a course I never dreamt of studying.

I will also consider myself as a passionate person. I love to write, I am working on some eBooks which soon be completed, I also love to sing.

I am into real estate brokerage. My passion for real estates stem from my love for beautiful houses, state of the art architectural designs and cosy environment. I love beautiful interior decorations and colorful environment.
Let’s talk about depression.

Depression is a common mood disorder. And it is fast becoming a menace in our society. We hear about People who suffer from depression often experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Aside from the emotional problems caused by depression, individuals can also present with a physical symptom such as body pains.

To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. DSM means Diagnostic Statistical Manual. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

To receive a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must cause the individual clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms must also not be a result of substance abuse or another medical condition.

Major depressive disorder is associated with high mortality, much of which is accounted for by suicide. As a result, if you think someone you care about may be suffering from depression it is important to know the warning signs of suicide and to take suicidal statements extremely seriously.

An active statement by someone with suicidal ideation might be something like, “I’m going to kill myself,” but other passive statements such as, “I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake up,” are equally worrying. If someone with depression exhibits these verbal markers, encourage them to consult a mental health professional immediately.

Depressed individuals also present with irritability, brooding, and obsessive rumination, and report anxiety, phobias, excessive worry over physical health, and complain of pain.

stefano pollio ZC0EbdLC8G0 unsplash — Picture Credit: Fernando @cferdo

How is Depression Different from Sadness and How to Overcome Depression.

What is the difference between depression and sadness? Given that the primary symptom associated with depression is sadness it can be hard to know how to make a distinction between the two psychological states. Lots of people throw around the word ‘depression’ and they might just be referring to sadness.

But depression is more than just sadness, and not simply by a measure of degree. The difference doesn’t lie in the extent to which a person feels down, but rather in a combination of factors relating to the duration of these negative feelings, other symptoms, bodily impact, and the effect upon the individual’s ability to function in daily life.

Sadness is an emotion that everyone will experience at some point in his or her life, there is nothing abnormal about that. Maybe a loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one, have it in mind that sadness is usually caused by a specific situation, person, or event. When it comes to depression, there is no trigger is needed.

A person suffering from depression feels sad or hopeless about everything. This person may have every reason in the world to be happy and yet they lose the ability to experience joy or pleasure. Have you seen very rich people battling depression, you wonder why because you think they have everything life have to offer.

With sadness, you might feel down in the dumps for a day or two, but you’re still able to enjoy simple things like your favorite TV show, food, or hanging out with friends. This is not the case when someone is dealing with depression. Even activities that they once enjoyed are no longer interesting or pleasurable.

What’s more, when you experience sadness triggered by a certain something you’re still able to sleep as you usually would, remain motivated to do things, and maintain your desire to eat. This is not depression.

Depression, on the other hand, is associated with serious disruption of normal eating and sleeping patterns, as well as not wanting to get out of bed all day. One key thing is depression is what is called Anhedonia.

In sadness, you might feel regret or remorse for something you said or did, but you won’t experience any permanent sense of worthlessness or guilt as you might with depression. One of the diagnostic features of depression is this kind of self-diminishing, negative thought patterns.

People struggling with severe depression may have thoughts of self-harm, death, or suicide, or have a suicide plan, usually they don’t disclose their plan.

Depression and Loss

Although there is a clear distinction to be made between depression and sadness, it is possible for major depressive disorder to occur in addition to sadness resulting from a significant loss, such as bereavement, financial ruin, or a serious medical illness. The decision as to whether a diagnosis of depression should be made will depend on the judgment of the clinician treating the individual.

Some causes of depression.

1.Genetics can be linked to depression. An individual with a family history of depression is at higher risk

Some illness co-morbids with depression
3.Substance abuse aggravates to depression. People who abuse substances are highly prone to falling into clinical depression.
Imbalance of neurotransmitters also causes depression.
Prolonged Grief and loss may lead to depression and other factors.

Talking about Suicide

World Health Organization (WHO)’s suicide ranking, showed that 800,000 people die globally from suicide every year, with 15.1 suicides per 100,000 people annually, Nigeria now ranks the 30th most suicide-prone country out of 183 nations in the world. It is fast becoming a menace in our society.

It is no longer news that suicide is real and becoming prevalent in Nigeria. What looked so foreign many years ago is now localized, right under our nose. Celebrities now are not excluded.

Suicide, according to Wikipedia, is intentionally causing one’s own death. No group or class of people seems to be spared: young, middle-aged and old people commit suicide, rich and poor people commit suicide, educated people and illiterates commit suicide, males and females commit suicide, religious people and non-religious people commit suicide, clergy and lay people commit suicide. What differs is the motive.

fernando cferdo AGOAwRZrbOA unsplash — Picture Credit: Unsplash

Depression can lead to suicide.

Depression is real!!!

The best thing to do when going through depression or having suicidal thoughts is to TALK TO SOMEONE. A trusted friend, Leader or a mental health professional.

There is nothing new on planet earth that hasn’t been seen, heard or experience before, don’t feel your situation is so hopeless that you feel so superhuman that you can handle it. Seek help.

Watch out for your family, neighbour, friend and acquittances. Ask them if they are fine, and if they are really fine.
If you are battling depression, or you know anyone battling with depression, we can be of help. Please feel free to reach out to me via email (ademolaglory@gmail.com)

House of Glory foundation is a charity organization. Our major focus is to provide basic human needs to poor people in rural communities. We started officially in 2017, though I have been doing this alone for a while now. It started back in university days, I went to a motherless babies home to spend some time with them and offer the little I have.

It was so fulfilling seeing those children and making them happy in my own little way. So this passion birthed the foundation.

We had a medical outreach in Ido community in May 2017. We partnered with CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) UCH, Ibadan Chapter. We provided free medical check ups and dispensed drugs to indigenes of the community.

Also in December 2018, in this same community, we embarked on a project of feeding 200 rural kids during Christmas, we hosted close to 200 rural kids between the ages of 3-12 years. They had fun, they danced, participated in quiz competition and were fed. My joy knew no bounds as I saw the happiness on these children’s faces.

The major challenge we have is funding as we would love to reach out to more people in the grassroots. We have a vision that we would have the capacity to start giving out scholarships to children, training people in crafts, provide bore holes in communities and health centers etc. Generally making life better for people at the grass roots. We are open to partnership and sponsorship.

My advice for job seekers is not to give up, keep pushing. There are some information I didn’t have access to as a fresh graduate, I will like to share.

As a job seeker, make sure you are on LinkedIn, your profile summary should show that you are actively seeking for new opportunities or job. Connect with HR proffesionals and be active on LinkedIn. If your dream job isn’t coming as expected, offer to volunteer.

Keep horning your skills, go for networking events and tell people you need a job, who knows. keep being updated about latest trends in the industry you are interested in. Keep hope alive too and don’t stop pushing.
Thank you for this opportunity Ofarms.Co, I am grateful.