Depression and Suicide
Almost every human has felt low sometimes. Some know what made them think so while others cannot explain what is happening to them. Some people may argue that depression is prolonged stress, while others may say depression is stress in a larger quantity. All these ideas are correct as the explanations try to arrive at the same meaning. Depression is a mood disorder that affects an individual’s daily life or routine.
It is hard to separate depression and ordinary unhappiness since they are both effects a person’s mood. What brings the difference between the two is that depression is characterized by more prolonged and more profound feelings of hopelessness and some characterizing indications. Depression is an extreme situation that can be life-threatening. Many reported cases of people take their lives after being depressed, even though the case can be reversed. This is because depression is ignored, blocking people from helping themselves out of this situation. Depression and suicide go hand in hand. When someone’s depression reaches severe levels, it may make them start thinking of taking their lives. Some of these suicides come true, and what is left is regrets from society, thinking that they had done very little to help the deceased (Lutz et al., 2020).
Symptoms of Depression
- Loss of interest in almost all normal activities.
- Feelings of being fatigued or tired.
- Crying frequently.
- Struggling with concentration or memory.
- Change in sleeping pattern whereby, someone may sleep less or sleep long hours. Even after sleeping, this person will not feel rested.
- An increase or decrease in food appetite levels which will have a corresponding impact on weight.
- The interest of sex goes down drastically.
- Exaggerated feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
- Unrealistic ideas and worries.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Causes of Depression
There have been some scientific arguments that the genetics of an individual can cause depression. This means that it may occur to an individual whose close relative has been depressed at some point. Research on the nervous system’s physiology suggests that the level of activity of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, changes in longstanding depression: Antidepressant medicines probably work by correcting a “chemical imbalance” of this kind (Hodes et al., 2015).
Moreover, social factors also play a massive role in causing depression. Such social factors are loss of loved ones, making an individual depressed, especially when they are not psychologically assisted. Therefore, it is advisable that when a person loses a loved one, he/she should be helped in accepting the situation to avoid chances of depression in the future. Other social factors that affect people, especially the youth, are lack of social support and the absence of avenues for fulfillment.
Depression and Suicide
Suicide is among the leading causes of death, especially in young people today. One of the main drivers of suicide has been seen to be depression. People always view death as the only permanent way out of depression, especially when depression has reached uncontrollable levels. It is so unfortunate that even when someone commits suicide because of depression, society will always try to hide it because of the societal taboo about suicide (Lutz et al., 2020). The funny fact is that all types of depression, no matter how small, can be reversed. It only takes those people close to us to make sure that they help the victims.
Someone can think of taking his/her life because they have lost the meaning of living. It starts with a thought before that individual confides in a close friend or relative. These people are the ones to help them seek professional help, but instead, some of them may choose to keep silent. They think that someone talking about suicide is bluffing up until the actual occurrence takes place. The society should learn to understand the warning sign of an individual planning to make his/her life. These signs may include purchasing a gun, poison, or any other dangerous substance or gadget that can facilitate suicide. After realizing these uncommon behaviors, a person must make sure that they report it to someone that may help the depressed person.
Misconception About Suicide
There are quite several misconceptions from society about suicide. These misconceptions are why most of these suicide threats go through, yet it could have been salvaged. People argue that those people who talk about suicide cannot do it. In itself, this is very risky—it likes gambling about humans a human life with a general thought. Furthermore, there is a societal conclusion from the society that those people who want to kill themselves are beyond help and that suicide is a purely personal decision. People also think that talking about suicide may be a way to put the idea in someone’s mind. It is by these misconceptions that depressed people have.
Treatments for Depression
The first help that a depressed person can get is from close family and friends. This has proven to work in reversing the situation. When it proves to be impossible, seeking professional help is recommended. Some of the professionals to be consulted are; psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and masters-level therapists. Religious counselors are also essential in this process because they connect people to the supreme being. When the spiritual counselor views it as extreme, it is at that point that he/she may recommend medically trained individuals.
Medical prescriptions are also used in treating depression, especially when it has become severe. They include antidepressants and other medications. These prescriptions must be carried out by certified medical professionals. Some medicines are specific to mood disorders, a good example being people with bipolar disorder requiring lithium. The use of depression medicines does not mean that patients cannot undergo other procedures, such as therapies. Medical professionals can give the best treatment that compliments the use of depression medications, which has proven to be effective.
Insight-oriented psychotherapy aims to raise insight and awareness of unconscious conflicts, drives, and problems, hoping that increased understanding will lead to more freedom to deal with issues and a better sense of self. Other therapies take a cognitive and behavioral approach and attempt to change unhelpful ways of thinking or address isolation by developing interpersonal skills. Group therapy has been shown to effectively treat depressive symptoms and raise insights about the self and relationships with others.
Therapists are significant people that help people to make changes under challenging situations. They can set up a meeting that brings together family and friends to help resolve the crisis, but only when the patient agrees to do it. When the patient is highly suicidal, the therapist can recommend the said individual to be hospitalized to monitor them.
Conclusion
It is up to society to make sure that depressed individuals are helped just like any other sick person could be helped. The first step is for society to be provided with information about the depression to understand when a person is depressed. Depression should not be left to consume a person to the point of death because it is unfair. After all, it is a curable condition. We can be taught how to deal with a depressed person, such as words that will make depressed people feel cared for. A depressed person should be fed with ideas of optimism carefully. It is ok to tell a depressed individual that you hear their depression, but you want to help. They should not be told such things as life is good. It will only make matters worse.
The process of helping a depressed person is a tedious process that could have many implications, especially to an untrained person. The helper may end up experiencing frustration and anxiety. The helper, who may be a family member or a friend, must make sure that they are not drained by the process to give up on the person. They must think about their health before helping others. When you see that you may not help a depressed person, you should recommend professional help. This will be important, especially when the depressed party has gotten to suicidal level.
Reference
Lutz, P. E., Courtet, P., & Calati, R. (2020). The opioid system and the social brain: implications for depression and suicide. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 98(4), 588-600.
Hodes, G. E., Kana, V., Menard, C., Merad, M., & Russo, S. J. (2015). Neuroimmune mechanisms of depression. Nature neuroscience, 18(10), 1386-1393.