Many famous personalities like former United States' presidents Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt have experienced it. While some like musician Beethoven, writers Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain as well as painter Vincent van Gogh have gone through episodes of it. This proves that depression does not discriminate between anybody.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) survey, clinical depression is ranked fourth in the list of malfunction disorders and is expected to rise to the second spot by the year 2020.

Symptoms of Depression

Apart from the various symptoms associated with the disorder, most common is the glumness experienced by the victim over a long period of time. This can be in the form of loss of interest or the will to live and anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure from activities previously found enjoyable). Among other symptoms include a drastic change in the body weight and appetite, feeling of loneliness, hopelessness and guilt, sleep disturbances, easily slighted, panic, tiredness, lack of focus and low self-esteem.

Depression can manifest in the form of back pain, headache, gastritis and other chronic problems. President of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA), Dr Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar said depression is different from sadness.

“The diagnosis for depression is that there should be five or more related symptoms for at least two weeks, so severe that it affects social and work performance,” he said.

It can become chronic, to the extent that it can become suicidal.

"However most cases of depression can be treated using medication and psychotherapy,” Dr Abdul Kadir recently said in an interview here.

"Without appropriate treatment, the symptoms can exist for months or years,” he added.

Suicidal Tendencies

Experts agree that if someone is bent on committing suicide, three situations have developed in the person. These are intolerance - can no longer sustain the burden, inescapable – can no longer run away from the problem, and indeterminable – can no longer face the problem. According to statistics on suicides in Malaysia, 731 people (545 men and 186 women) had committed suicide between 2007 and 2010. From the figure, 321 cases involved those who were married, 298 were single, 34 widows and 29 were divorced.

A WHO study reveals that the main reason behind people committing suicide is depression. In Asia-Pacific alone, the number of people who died due to committing suicide was more than the number of people who died after contracting tuberculosis. Experts have warned that the number of suicide cases is expected to rise if the society refuses to accept that the issue is related to socioeconomic factors which can lead to psychiatric repercussions.

Women Face Higher Risk

Studies have shown that some five to 10 percent of the society suffers from depression and needs psychosocial or psychiatric help. However, in comparison to men, women are at higher risk of facing an episode of depression at least once in a lifetime on the probability of one: two. Experts believe that this is due to women shouldering various burden, including the duties of a housewife and mother, apart from her professional career.

Different from the womenfolk, men usually self-treat their depression and this makes them susceptible to negative acts such as drug abuse and alcoholism, hence making it difficult to trace depression among them. Studies have also shown that a person is susceptible to depression at the age when he or she is most productive (45 years) as compared to those who are older.

Balance Between Mental and Physical Health

Dr Abdul Kadir stressed that mental and physical health are two different aspects, but both are equally important and related to each other.

"Both components must be balanced to enable a person to live a normal life, have a conducive family relationship and be a productive member of the society.

"The fact is that in Malaysia, those who are experiencing depression are more than the number already identified," he said.

He said many are too embarrassed to come forward to obtain aid due to the negative social stigma where the society still has a third world thinking when talking on psychiatric issues. He further said many of those who have been diagnosed as suffering from depression do not receive appropriate treatment due to several impediments and this situation prevents them from returning as productive members of society.

"It is only by way of education that more people will come forth to seek appropriate treatment or at least talk about it with the medical officer,” he observed.

Getting Help in Time

What can you do if a family member, friend or your own self experiences depression that affects your daily activities and productivity at work? Dr Abdul Kadir said talking to someone about the problem helps, but this is rarely done due to anticipation of embarrassment. Hence another way is to get counseling and this service is available at many hospitals.

However those who feel shy talking in person with counselors can call 'The Befrienders', round-the-clock at 03-7956 8145. The Befrienders chairman S Gangadara Vadivel explained that the non-governmental organization willingly provides emotional support to those who need it.

"Frequently our callers are those who are scared, sad, lonely or depressed, who need to voice out problems related to family, work, finance and others," he said.

He further assured that callers will be treated with utmost respect and each call kept confidential.

“We will not keep any records to ensure the confidentiality of the call," added Gangadara.


- Bernama