Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year. The aim is to reach have a commitment and plan of action to prevent suicides. However, every second 40 people commit suicide worldwide. This is a substantial number which needs to come down.
Suicide is an extreme step people take when they are depressed. I am depressed. We keep hearing this statement from every other person these days. Well, I am really depressed. I have been diagnosed as “Moderate Clinical Depression” with the help of a standard depression test. Until last year, I had suicidal thoughts. I have worked very hard on coming out my depression to reach the level of “moderate”. Thus, I was very keenly on writing about depression on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Feeling sad or depressed? What’s the difference?
Normally, we think that depression is a state of extreme sadness. But, there is a big difference between clinical depression and sadness. Every person feels sad in their life. It is our natural reaction to painful circumstances. It is a transient phase, that goes away after some time when a person comes in terms with the problem/circumstance of life.
However, depression is a physical illness that has many more symptoms other than an unhappy mood. It has psychological as well as physical symptoms. It stays for weeks, months or even years. A depressed person feels worthless and often find it difficult to cope up with life.
Signs of Depression
Some of the physical and psychological symptoms of depression are:
- Diminished interest in almost all activities
- Significant weight loss
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Slow or agitated movements
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Extreme feeling of guilt
- Inability to concentrate
- Indecisiveness
- Anxiety
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts
Criteria of Clinical Major Depression
Let me stop you before you start thinking that you are depressed because you have these signs. The American Psychiatric Association – DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition classifies the following symptoms for a diagnosis of major depression:
1) The person has at least 5 of the above symptoms.
2) The person has these symptoms for 2 weeks.
3) The symptoms represent a change from the person’s previous level of functioning.
How to come out of depression?
In case, you have clinical depression, then you must visit a psychiatrist. Some of the treatment for depression are:
- Antidepressant tablets
- Mood Stabilising Medication
- Bright Light Therapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
Please note these are the treatment for major clinical depression. These treatment need the supervision of a proper psychiatrist.
If you are suffering from borderline depression, then you can visit a counsellor. There are a lot of therapies that can be used to treat your depression. These include Behavioural therapy, Cognitive therapy and Interpersonal therapy.
We at Patna Diaries, strongly urge you to take the do a self-test on yourself to understand your depression level. Try to talk to people. Build a support system. Visit a counsellor.
But, never ever take the extreme step: suicide
Remember there are people in this world who are going to support you no matter what you have done. Surround yourself with those people. Think about happy thoughts. Life is full of ups and downs. Just be patient and strong, the bad phase of your life will also pass.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Happy Smiling 🙂
Do let us know if you like this article. Feel free to write to us at patnadiaries@gmail.com. We are always happy to listen.
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