4 in 10 Nigerian women are depressed – psychologist

A clinical psychologist, Dr Akin Gabriel, at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, says about four out of 10 Nigerian women are depressed.

“In this country, out of 10 women, four will have one form of depression or another,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Gabriel also said that about 25 per cent of depressed women eventually broke down and required treatment.

He said depression was one of the many conditions associated with mental illness.

The psychologist explained that mental health is the ability humans need to cope with life, including achieving potential and goals, dealing with and overcoming stress, relating to people, and overcoming life challenges.

He said that psychological functioning was an important aspect of wellbeing and part of mental health, but one that was easily neglected.

He emphasised that mental health issues could have negative impacts, causing physical illnesses.

Gabriel said one of the ways individuals could know if their mental health was being affected was through self-observation.

He urged people to begin to question their mental wellbeing based on the subtle changes they identify in themselves.

“Humans will begin to observe the changes within themselves, though they may not understand these changes.

“When an individual realises that things he or she does with ease are getting difficult to do or that situations they were able to easily manoeuvre about are becoming complex, they should begin to ask questions.

“When an individual begins to have strange feelings; responds spontaneously to situations without a thought; easy to anger, always on edge, misdirects aggression, something is wrong,’’ he said.

The psychologist added that other signs of depression might include issues with sleep, appetite, weight gain or loss, attitude towards financial constraints, and frequent ill health.

Gabriel also told NAN that depression is a condition that affects a person’s thoughts and self-perception and is characterised by low moods, a crash in self-worth, and self-degenerating feelings.

Depressed people think they have fallen short of the assumed benchmark of achievements when they compare themselves with others, making them withdraw from people, he said.

Such people sometimes feel hopeless and unloved, leading to suicidal thoughts and actions, he added.

Gabriel also told NAN that changes in an individual with depression ranged from mild, moderate, to severe, with subtle symptoms that become more recognisable if not addressed.

“A depressed person may not dress like he or she used to, but still passable under mild depression.

“By moderate, others are beginning to notice some differences; the person is not looking as well kept as he used to be.

“Maybe the mood has dropped; the person is not as spontaneous as he or she used to be; there may be sleep issues, attention, focus, appetite, and weight issues.

“If not taken care of, the symptoms affect the daily life of the depressed person, and everyone begins to notice because it affects relationships,’’ he said.

Gabriel noted that fewer men get depressed, but they had more severe emotional and mood disorders.

He said cultural beliefs that men were supposed to be stronger and have the ability to forge ahead in spite of their circumstances caused many of them to suffer in silence.

He identified some signs to look out for, particularly in men, to include alcohol and substance use, staying out of the home longer, and aggressiveness towards spouses and children.

Gabriel said depression could be treated if people with the condition sought help early. (NAN)