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Understanding Depression
By M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D.
30/12/2000
Depression is a normal human emotion. It is a reaction to a loss and usually clears up in a few days. However, it can become an illness with specific symptoms and signs affecting both body and mind. It is capable of interfering with a person’s normal functioning, causing great personal distress.
Depression is one of the most common of illnesses. Unfortunately, it goes unrecognized in many people. At any one time, 5-10% of the North American population is suffering from Major Depression.
Depression is frequently mistaken for other conditions such as anemia, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, fatigue, exhaustion, vitamin deficiency, or simple nervousness. It is important to separate serious depression from everyday sadness and grief, which accompanies the loss of a loved one for example.
No two people experience depression in the same manner. Symptoms will vary in severity and duration. Some severely depressed patients, if not treated, may attempt suicide or may even commit suicide.
Causes of Depression
Depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Specific events, such as loss of parents, early upbringing and developmental factors, such as stresses at home and school, etc., can contribute to depression. Death of a loved one, divorce, persistent problems of emotional dependency and low self-esteem can also precipitate depression.
Recent research studies have shown that depression is caused by a lack of “neurotransmitters,” which are special chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one nerve ending to the next. Although it is not known exactly why these neurotransmitters become faulty, it is hypothesized that the situation may be hereditary.
Depression in Women
Women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men. One in four women can expect to develop serious depression during their lifetime. Depression is indiscriminate and can occur in women regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. Elderly women experience depression more often than elderly men do. Biological differences in women may contribute to depression. Social reasons, such as stresses from work and family responsibilities, physical and or sexual abuse, etc., may also lead to higher rates of depression among women. Many depressed women believe that depression is a normal and common phenomenon, so they do not seek treatment.
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Major depression is one of the mental, emotional and behavioral disorders that can appear during childhood and adolescence. The symptoms of child and adolescent depression vary in severity and duration and may be different from those in adults. Depression in children can lead to poor academic performance, alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal tendencies. Also, in addition to feelings of sadness and changes in appetite and sleeping habits, children often manifest behavioral problems including academic failure, physical complaints such as headaches and stomach aches and displays of anger and rage.
Depression is a Treatable Illness
Successful treatment of depression depends highly on early recognition and early treatment. During the past four decades, several medications have been developed which are extremely effective in treating depression. No medication can be effective if it is not taken in the right amount, at the right time as directed and supervised by a psychiatrist.
Along with medication, psychotherapy is necessary for most depressed patients. The most common method is supportive psychotherapy, which emphasizes reassurance, support and guidance. In most depressed patients, the principles of cognitive therapy are used. The depressed patient is encouraged to help himself/herself by recognizing negative thoughts and correcting them by substituting them with thoughts that are more realistic. One needs to learn to replace more negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Therapy is an educational process. The new knowledge gained from therapy is useful in recognizing the behavior, which leads to depression.
Prevention and Self-Care
Religion plays a strong role in keeping good mental and physical health. Recent researchers from prestigious institutions in the United States confirm that strong faith plays a significant part in preventing and improving both physical and mental problems. Believing and practicing Islamic teachings plays an important role in coping with the stresses of daily life and in turn helps to reduce the factors precipitating depression. Praying to Allah (swt) and believing that He is capable of changing any situation for the better has a positive effect on the mental condition. Instead of worrying and obsessing about a problem, one should depend on Allah (swt). Thus, religious concepts play a huge role in relieving stress and facilitating coping. In addition to strong religious practice, one should also pay attention to maintaining a well balanced diet, performing regular exercise and fostering harmonious family relationships.
Conclusion
Depression is a very common emotional problem. Unfortunately, people do not recognize or seek treatment for depression in its early stages. Early recognition and treatment can alleviate the symptoms of depression. Restoring the individual to his or her normal emotional state is considered successful treatment.
Dr. Basheer Ahmed is a psychiatrist, residing in Arlington, Texas. He is also serving as a board member of the Islamic Social Services Association (US and Canada).
Editor’s Note: If you have a concern about depression or are dealing with a counseling type situation, please let us help you. Send us your question or concern at,
www.islamonline.net/questionapplication/english/question.asp
References
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National Institute of Mental Health, D/ART, “Depression: What everyone should know about”/”Depression in children and adolescents.”
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Harold G. Kong, “The Healing Power of Faith,” Simon and Schuster, New York, 1999.
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