Depression, the ignored emergency

It all started in 2005 when Evangeline Uwe, 15, a Senior Two student, started noticing her performance decline. The straight As she was used to, for instance in Chemistry and Biology, became a thing of the past, replaced with strange Es and sometimes Fs. Interestingly, she didn’t seem bothered an inch, even with the taunting from her friends.As if that was not bad enough, she was kicked out of the school netball team (one she had helped build) for suddenly becoming unruly and irregularly attending practicing sessions. Health-wise, Uwe had little appetite and was more often aloof. In just six months, she shed 20 kilogrammes to find herself weighing just 50 kilogrammes. “Mood swings also became a part of me. One moment I would be extremely friendly and talkative, and the next I would be withdrawn and timid,” Uwe said. She also started having all tribes of aches; in the stomach, back, muscles and the head. Jemimah Mukamuhinda, her mother, said on noticing the strange condition of her daughter, asked the school to grant her two months off to recover (as they suspected it was mild stress). The school obliged. “That did not seem to help either; she instead developed more strange traits, like nightly sleeplessness, and only to doze off at the dining table during the day,” Mukamuhinda said. When Mukamuhinda one day scolded her daughter for misplacing cutlery, the reaction she got was spellbinding. Uwe started climbing over the balcony railing of their apartment so as to jump to death, and was only restrained by a quick grab by the waist (from her mother). Uwe does not know what could have led to her chronic condition, but suspects the sudden death of Paw, a family dog she was so fond of, which was runover by a speeding car in her presence. “Paw was a playful and loyal pet; I was addicted to his company. The saddest thing was watching his tragic death, my life has never been the same ever since,” she said. David Uwayezu, a psychiatrist with Spenna Clinic in Kimironko, who has been handling Uwe’s case for the last six months, says the girl has been suffering from a medical condition known as clinical depression. This condition is not the type one can just cure by regimens such as exercise, vacation or vitamin intake. But is treated by medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. He points out the condition originally starts as mild depression, then if not checked, grows into the clinical kind. “Many people have this kind of depression, but rarely give it the attention it deserves because it’s mistaken for the mild depression or stress,” he says. The psychiatrist says anyone who experiences constant mood swings, change in sleep, appetite, has suicidal feelings, or general ‘loss of interest’ in life for a period longer than one week, should consider seeing a doctor. Angelique Mukamana, a psychologist with Abbey Family Clinic in Remera-Kabeza, also one of Uwe’s therapists, says the condition shares many symptoms with schizophrenia. However, schizophrenia presents more unique symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised speech patterns. She advises that it is always important to give a clinical depression victim full-time company, and involving them in positive talk and activities, to reduce chances of them drowning in suicidal thoughts or other negative feelings. “Getting them to participate in activities that promote a sense of accomplishment, reward, or pleasure, directly helps in improving their condition,” Mukamana says. Uwe, from Kimironko, finally graduated from secondary school and university though with average grades. Reports improved motivation at work (employed as receptionist somewhere in Kigali) and general attitude toward life in the last six months, courtesy of the counselling services and anti-depressants prescribed by the specialists. According to 2011 World Health Organisation statistics on mental health in the country, 31.90 people out every 100,000 were admitted to a mental hospital. Fifty-six per cent of these were males, and 5 per cent were below the age of 18. health@newtimes.co.rw **************************** The dangers of depression If left untreated, depression can have serious and sometimes long-term consequences that can affect every aspect of life. Suicide. Having thoughts of death and suicide are symptoms of depression. If depression is left untreated, these thoughts can get worse. Sometimes, you or a friend might feel like suicide is the only way out, the only way to escape the pain. This isn’t true. There are many effective ways to reduce depression symptoms and get better. Remember, these terrible feelings and thoughts are not constant and will pass. Addiction. Depression symptoms rarely go away if untreated; they worsen. Often, to alleviate the symptoms, people turn to self-medicating with substances. The truth is that drugs and alcohol not only worsen symptoms, but they can also increase the chances that you get addicted to these substances. Combining drugs and alcohol with depression is a dangerous mix, which can increase the risk for suicide and further your depression. Self-injury. Another way some people try to cope with depression is by self-injuring or inflicting pain upon themselves with methods like cutting or burning. While some people don’t intend to deliberately harm themselves with such behaviour, serious or life-threatening injuries and accidental deaths can result. Reckless behaviour. When people are feeling hopeless, angry or really bad about themselves, they are less likely to take care of themselves and think about the consequences of their actions. Depressed persons migh put themselves in risky situations such as drunk driving, unprotected sex. School. Depression can make it difficult to go to class and complete assignments. That’s because depression diminishes ability to concentrate, remember things and make decisions. ulifeline.org