According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide. The figure represents five per cent of the world's population and is an alarming sign for everyone. It is high time, people openly talk about this matter and help those who are suffering from depression. Depression is more than just a low mood, it is a severe mental illness that negatively impacts physical and mental health. It is said to be one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and this illness influences the way an individual feels, thinks and acts. However, because it is a mental illness, it can be much harder to comprehend than a physical disease like excess cholesterol.
Being depressed vs. clinical depression
A common misconception among people, regarding depression, is that most of them feel that feeling depressed is the same as clinical depression. But as a matter of fact there is a stark difference between the two. A person may get depressed over the passing of a loved one, failing in a crucial exam, suffering a divorce, losing a job and many other undesirable scenarios. However, even though these extreme examples may cause people to cry themselves to sleep for several days, they will eventually get over them. People can usually express why they feel sad or depressed. This 'feeling' of depression will never be permanent regardless of how severe its trigger may be.
On the other hand, clinical depression is different. Being a medical disorder, it will not go away just because the sufferer wants it to. Clinical depression usually lingers for two weeks at a time and affects how a person works, plays, spend time with their loved ones, etc. It is like being followed by a big black cloud that refuses to leave. People who suffer from clinical depression cannot explain why they feel sad or empty. Since this is a mental condition, it does not have a root trigger.
The situation of our country
Back in 2017, WHO revealed that about 64 lakh and 69 lakh people suffer from the depressive disorder and anxiety disorders respectively. That roughly represents 4.1 and 4.4 per cent people respectively. The problem with people in our country is that they do not take mental health issues seriously. They hardly give it any importance compared to physical disorders. Shahriar Rahman, an undergraduate student in a local private university, said, "I was suffering from depression following my poor HSC results. It took me more than a year to recover from that state and get a hold of myself. My family and dear ones felt it was just the state of sadness that would gradually go away. They never understood the gravity of the situation."
According to many experts, the parents fail to play a vital role when their children suffer from depression. Fatema Begum, a mother of two and a housewife, said, "A girl next door, who was in his early twenties, committed suicide last year. She had regular fights with her parents, and I feel that played a big role in her slipping into depression."
Possible solutions
Although there are several ways to counter depression with external aid, it takes on an average ten years for a sufferer to reach out for help. So it is best to know the symptoms of this severe illness. Fatigue, feeling guilt or worthlessness, insomnia, lack of interest are a few of the many signs to look out for. If the symptoms persist for a while, it is safe to assume that a person has clinical depression. Moreover, the quickest method to tackle clinical depression is to seek professional help. If one thinks that going to a professional may be overdoing it, then researching about various cures of depression online may be helpful. For instance, almost all mental health experts agree that exercise is one of the main counteractions to depression. This is because when the body moves, it produces certain chemicals, which change the current state of the human brain. So if people feel that they are depressed, they can start or increase physical activity. Joining the gym, playing sports, going for morning jogs-- the list of possibilities is too long to write. Such actions will decrease the severity of depression if not eliminate it. Other methods to combat depression may be to increase the consumption of omega three fatty acids, increase exposure to sunlight and sleeping at regular hours. These were all methods suggested by Dr. Steven Llardi, a man who researched this subject for the entirety of his life.
Depression is a severe mental illness that should be taken seriously in most developed nations. However, we need to raise awareness about this in our country. People should stop treating something of this magnitude like a minor phase and brush it aside. If one suspects to be caught in the vicious trap of depression, one should try all the possible 'home' solutions. If the problem persists, visiting a professional is mandatory.
The writer is a first year student of BBA programme at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka. He can be reached at
