Unmasking Depression
Posted May 7, 2012 06:57:31 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The World Health Organization believes by 2020 depression will be the second leading cause of disability globally.
Many experts say one in four people in Canada will be impacted by some form of depression in their life time and one in 10 will suffer from a severe form of it.
As part of National Mental Health Week, which runs May 7th – May 13th, 1310News is running a five – part feature on depression, speaking with people who suffer from the mental illness and experts who see and treat it on a daily basis.
For Carol her life journey took a dark turn during an abusive relationship.
“I had no self worth, I didn’t put myself first, I gained a hundred pounds in 4 years, I left the relationship myself with my daughter, moved to the city; had to move back in with my parents.” said Carol.
Dr. Michael Yapko, author of Depression is Contagious says it is imperative for people to understand the cause of this type of mental illness is different person to person.
“It ranges from someone’s diet and exercise, to how somebody forms relationships to how somebody processes and uses information, to what type of work environment they have, what type of social environment they have, what type of family environment they have,” said Dr. Yapko.
Carol says at its height, her depression made it difficult for her to get out of bed.
“It was almost like I needed one thing to happen and deal with that and get that done and then move on to the next task,” says Carol.
The Calgary Counselling Centre’s Dianna Campbell-Smith says isolation is often a by-product and often results in way too much time to think.
“All of the ways their life isn’t going well, in which other people have judged them, in which they ‘re hopeless about succeeding,” said Carol.
She says this results in a reinforcement of the original negative feelings.
The Calgary Distress Centre’s David Kirby says the sooner you seek help the better.
“The horrible thing about depression is that the longer you wait, the greater the impact tends to be,” said Kirby.
The Canadian Mental Health Association says almost half of the people who have suffered from it have never gone to see a doctor or mental health professional about the problem.
The Calgary Counselling Centre’s Dianna Campbell – Smith says there is a general lack of knowledge, which contributes to the stigma.
Carol says in her case it was easier to mask her feelings then to talk about it because she feared no one would understand.
“It was easier to do that, then to you know have someone ask me how I was doing and then start crying and then have to explain why.”
The Calgary Distress Centre’s David Kirby says Carol’s feelings are common among people who suffer from depression often resulting in them struggling to talk about it.
“Makes it harder for people to understand or be taken seriously for because in general there is no physical sign of it other then people feeling really bad or in a lot of pain,” says Kirby.
Carol says she found that talking about it with a professional led to her being able to manage it.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both teenagers and adults under the age of 35 according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Blogger and author Lee Horbachewski says she was in denial that she suffered from depression, which nearly resulted in a tragic end.
“I ended up in a psychiatric ward for about three weeks, where I made three attempts on my life,” said Horbachewski.”
Dr. Michael Yapko says there are usually three factors evident when someone is considering committing suicide.
“Hopelessness and impulsivity and a sense of being a burden that’s when you want to take a lot of extra steps to ensure this person’s safety,” says Dr. Yapko.
The journey back to the light from depression starts with a single step and for many the first step is talking about it and admitting they need help.
The most defining sound of depression is silence.
That’s why depression expert Dr. Yapko, urges people who feel down to talk to a counselor, psychologist or family physician.
“Trying to just slug it out themselves trying to solve it themselves is not a particular good way of doing things,” said Dr. Yapko.
Horbachewski says denial is a common theme for people suffering from depression and one you have to overcome.
“It’s so important to realize that you need to take the steps to get help and that it is okay to get the help,” said Horbachewski.
For Carol, she still deals with it, but ending her silence has made a real difference.
“It makes me more confident that I can work things on my own or I do have someone I turn and talk to if I need help,” says Carol.
Depression Information and Resources:
Ottawa Distress Centre – http:/http://www.dcottawa.on.ca/. – Distress Line: 613-238-3311
Ottawa Counselling Centre: http://www.ottawacounselling.com/?gclid=CI201MyA7q8CFQfPKgodG18Hzg
Ottawa Public Health – http://www.ottawa.ca/en/health_safety/about/oph/index.html
Canadian Mental Health Association: http://www.cmha.ca/bins/index.asp
Blogger and Author – Lee Horbachewski – http://simpleeserene
Dr. Michael Yapko – http://www.yapko.com
http://worksmartlivesmart.com/mental-health-week-tips/
www.depressionhurts.ca
