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Saturday, April 27, 2024
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depression

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A new study has found that cannabis may improve the mood of people who experience chronic pain from sickle cell disease.

New research suggests that cannabis may help improve the mood of people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease. This proof of principle study also found that cannabis was a relatively safe intervention.

The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, paves the way for future studies to verify the initial findings and expand the investigation on cannabis-based interventions on chronic pain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell disease is a type of red blood cell disorder that causes the cells to become misshapen and look similar to the crescent shape of a sickle.

Sickle red blood cells die sooner than normal cells, which means less oxygen is transported throughout a person’s body. Furthermore, sickle cells tend to clog smaller blood vessels, resulting in acute or chronic pain, infection, and other serious cardiovascular issues.

According to the CDC, treatments for mild pain from sickle cell disease include over-the-counter analgesics, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

For people in more severe pain from this condition, doctors can often prescribe daily opioid medications, such as morphine. However, opioids come with various side effects and risks, including addiction and overdose.

Consequently, it is important to find other ways of managing the pain associated with sickle cell disease.

Addressing a research gap

In the United States, cannabis is increasingly popular as an analgesic. It is legal for medicinal use in 33 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cannabis use as an analgesic has been found to have the best evidence base compared with its use for other interventions. However, the authors of this study note that there are relatively few human studies that explore the use of cannabis as a treatment for pain from chronic health conditions.

To address this issue, the authors developed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized proof of principle study. Their aim was to test the hypothesis that cannabis can effectively relieve chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease, compared with placebo.

The study enrolled participants who had sickle cell disease and were receiving an opioid analgesic to manage their pain.

Participants were also required to have prior experience of smoking cannabis to ensure that they would be able to inhale the medication and would recognize its effects. However, people currently using cannabis were asked to discontinue their use 1 week before the trial began.

However, the team excluded those who declared themselves to have serious health issues or substance use disorders.

This resulted in a study group of 27 participants, of whom 23 completed the full trial. The researchers included these individuals in the analysis of the results.

During the trial, participants made two 5-day trips to an inpatient research center that were at least 30 days apart. They inhaled either vaporized cannabis or a vaporized placebo three times a day.

During this period, the researchers assessed participants’ pain levels and the interference of pain in a range of daily activities and mood. They also monitored the side effects.

Reducing the effect of pain on mood

The researchers found that inhaled, vaporized cannabis did not significantly improve the intensity of participants’ experience of pain compared with a placebo.

However, they observed that when participants inhaled vaporized cannabis, the pain interfered less with the participants’ mood.

Finally, cannabis use did not have any significant adverse side effects compared with the placebo.

According to Dr. Kalpna Gupta, Professor of Medicine at the University of California Irvine’s Center for the Study of Cannabis and co-lead author of the study:

“These trial results show that vaporized cannabis appears to be generally safe. They also suggest that sickle cell patients may be able to mitigate their pain with cannabis — and that cannabis might help society address the public health crisis related to opioids. Of course, we still need larger studies with more participants to give us a better picture of how cannabis could benefit people with chronic pain.”

This research does have limitations. As a proof of principle study, it only had a small number of participants, meaning that larger studies are necessary to verify its findings.

Furthermore, aside from the short treatment duration, the participants took the vaporized cannabis three times a day during the study. This might not reflect how people typically use medical cannabis to manage their pain.

However, the research findings show promise for the development of new treatments to manage chronic pain.

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Photo Taken In Oradea, Romania

A new study has identified how ketamine can combat difficult-to-treat depression.

New research has revealed the specific parts of the brain that ketamine affects when doctors use it to treat people with difficult-to-treat depression.

The study, which appears in the journal Translational Psychiatry, may open the door to new therapies in the treatment of depression.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, about 7.6% of people over the age of 12 have depression during any 2-week period. The CDC describe depression as a sad mood that extends for a long period and affects a person’s ability to live a normal life.

When severe, depression can have a serious negative effect on a person’s life, sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts.

Experts do not fully understand why some people experience depression, although the National Institute of Mental Health suggest that genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors may play a role. It is treatable with medication, psychological therapy, or a combination of the two.

Previous research has made it clear that the drug ketamine can be an effective antidepressant, and some scientists have proposed it as a treatment in cases of depression that do not respond to conventional treatments.

However, precisely how and why ketamine functions as an antidepressant is less clear. As a consequence, the authors of the present study wanted to identify precisely what effects ketamine has on the brain of a person who is not responding to conventional treatments. They hope that this research may lead to better treatment options for these individuals.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can call 800-799-4889.

Looking at ketamine’s effect in the brain

To do this, the researchers gave participants doses of ketamine that were low enough not to have an anesthetic effect and then took images of their brains using a positron emission tomography (PET) camera.

According to the study’s first author, Dr. Mikael Tiger, a researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet in Solna, Sweden, “In this, the largest PET study of its kind in the world, we wanted to look at not only the magnitude of the effect but also if ketamine acts via serotonin 1B receptors.”

“We and another research team were previously able to show a low density of serotonin 1B receptors in the brains of people with depression.”

By using a radioactive marker that binds to a person’s serotonin receptors, the PET images could highlight what effects ketamine was having on these receptors, which play a crucial role in depression by modulating the amount of serotonin that a person receives. Experts believe that low levels of serotonin correlate to more severe experiences of depression.

The authors of the study recruited people through internet advertising. After receiving 832 volunteers, the authors reduced this number to 30 to make sure that the participants were as relevant to the study as possible.

Other than having major depressive disorder (MDD), the participants were healthy. They had not responded to previous treatment for MDD.

The researchers split the participants into two groups, treating 20 people with ketamine and the other 10 with a placebo.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, meaning that neither the doctors nor the participants initially knew to which group each participant belonged.

Prior to the treatment, the researchers took a baseline scan of the participants’ brains. They took a second scan in the days following the treatment.

For the second phase of the study, 29 of the participants agreed to take ketamine twice a week for 2 weeks.

Serotonin reduced, dopamine increased

Using a rating scale for depression, the researchers found that 70% of the participants in the second phase of the study responded to the ketamine.

Furthermore, after analyzing the PET images, the authors found that the ketamine was affecting the participants’ brains in a previously unidentified manner, reducing the output of serotonin but increasing the output of dopamine, which is also important for mood regulation.

According to the last author of the study, Dr. Johan Lundberg, research group leader at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, “We show for the first time that ketamine treatment increases the number of serotonin 1B receptors.”

“Ketamine has the advantage of being very rapid-acting, but at the same time, it is a narcotic-classed drug that can lead to addiction. So it’ll be interesting to examine in future studies if this receptor can be a target for new, effective drugs that don’t have the adverse effects of ketamine.”

– Dr. Johan Lundberg

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Mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, are experienced by more people worldwide than any other physical disorder. According to predictions from the World Health Organization, by 2020 depression will cause greater disability than any other mental or physical disorder.

This is a severe problem and it is common sense that we find effective solutions for these problems. To-day most mental health problems are treated with psychological and pharmacological interventions. The most common psychological treatments are known as cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT), while antidepressants are the most common class of medication used to treat both depression and anxiety.

Other interventions are also effective, although not promoted as much as the previous mentioned treatments, including exercise, relaxation/ meditation, and sleep-based interventions. Herbs and nutrients are also often used to treat mental health problems, but there is doubt whether they actually work.

The following more commonly used natural supplements will be reviewed to see if there is actually any evidence to support their efficacy.

1. Omega-3 fish oils. There has been a substantial amount of research on the effects of fish oil, mostly in the area of depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD ). The overall evidence suggests that fish oil is moderately effective for these conditions. In several meta-analyses, it had been confirmed that fish oil can improve depressive symptoms that occur in major depressive disorders and bipolar disorder. The most effective fish oils for mental health are those ones that contain greater concentration of EPA ( a type of omega-3 fat)

2. St John’s wort. This herb has always been very popular for the treatment of depression and there have been many good quality studies in several meta-analyses. St John’s wort has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. However, research on stress, ADHD and other mental health problems have not been so convincing. The major problem with St John’s wort is that it interacts with many medications.

3. Saffron. Positive studies on its effect on depression have increased over the last decade. Follow up studies have all confirmed that saffron is effective for the treatment of depression. In comparison with antidepressants such as Prozac and Trofanil, Saffron has proven to be as effective, but with less side effects. Although it is the most expensive spice in the world, only a small amount is needed, which makes the cost quite affordable (approx $30 – $40 a month). Another advantage is that in combination with pharmaceutical antidepressants, it was more effective than the antidepressant alone.

4. Rhodiola Rosea. This herb was originally used in Russia to enhance athletic performance. It was later discovered to be effective for stress, feelings of burnout, and depression. A few good quality European studies have indicated that Rhodiola is helpful for improving mood and seems to be particularly helpful for people with stress related fatigue. People who feel run-down, find it hard getting out of bed in the morning, lack motivation/drive, experience energy slumps in the afternoon, and feel quite flat, may also benefit from Rhodiola Natural practitioners often refer to this condition as ‘adrenal fatigue’.

5. Theanine. This is an amino acid derived from green tea and is claimed to help people experience a relaxed and calm state. Some good studies indicate that it can reduce levels of stress hormones in the body (e.g. cortisol) and can move people’s brain waves into ‘alpha’ states. Alpha brain waves are associated with relaxation and meditation. People with a mind that is constantly racing report positive effects from theanine. It has also shown to improve sleep in children with ADHD, and was even helpful for people with schizophrenia.

This is just a selection of herbs and nutrients with good research-based support for their mental health benefits. There are other options available, including s-adenosyl-methionine (SAME) for depression. Kava for anxiety, B-vitamins for stress, and glycine/magnesium for sleep.

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In functional medicine, we believe that every system in the body is connected. Your digestive and hormonal systems, for example, aren’t independent of one another. At the center of it all is a properly functioning digestive system.

When your gut is unhealthy, it can cause more than just stomach pain, gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Because 60-80% of our immune system is located in our gut, gut imbalances have been linked to hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, eczema, rosacea, and other chronic health problems.

I believe the gut is the gateway to health, and the first step I take with all of my patients regardless of their diagnosis is to heal the gut. I use a system called The 4R Program, which is a simple approach to repairing your gut and restoring your body’s balance.

10 Signs You Have an Unhealthy Gut:

1. Digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea

2. Food allergies or sensitivities

3. Anxiety

4. Depression

5. Mood swings, irritability

6. Skin problems like eczema, rosacea

8. Autoimmune disease

9. Frequent Infections

10. Poor memory and concentration, ADD or ADHD

The 4 R Program

1. Remove

Remove the bad. The goal is to get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the gut, such as inflammatory foods, infections, and irritants like alcohol, caffeine, or drugs.

Inflammatory foods, such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and sugar, can lead to food sensitivities. I recommend an elimination diet as the starting point to identify which foods are problematic for you, in which you remove the foods for two weeks or more and then add them back in, one at a time, taking note of your body’s response.

Infections can be from parasites, yeast, or bacteria. A comprehensive stool analysis is key to determining the levels of good bacteria as well as any infections that may be present. Removing the infections may require treatment with herbs, anti-parasite medication, antifungal medication, antifungal supplements, or even antibiotics.

2. Replace

Replace the good. Add back in the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption that may have been depleted by diet, drugs (such as antacid medications) diseases or aging. This includes digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and bile acids that are required for proper digestion.

3. Reinoculate

Restoring beneficial bacteria to reestablish a healthy balance of good bacteria is critical. This may be accomplished by taking a probiotic supplement that contains beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species. I recommend anywhere from 25 -100 billion units a day. Also, taking a prebiotic (food for the good bacteria) supplement or consuming foods high in soluble fiber is important.

4. Repair

Providing the nutrients necessary to help the gut repair itself is essential. One of my favourites supplements is L-glutamine, an amino acid that helps to rejuvenate the gut wall lining. Other key nutrients include zinc, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin A, C, and E, as well as herbs such as slippery elm and aloe vera.

No matter what your health issue is, the 4R program is sure to help you and your gut heal! I have witnessed dramatic reversal of chronic and inflammatory illnesses in a very short period of time by utilizing this simple approach.

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A healthy relationship is dependent on many factors. For one, physical and mental health play a major role in a happy and successful relationship.

As depression can take both an emotional and physical toll on an individual, it can affect their ability to be present in a relationship.

Research shows that depression can have a cyclical effect on relationships. That means someone who is depressed may be emotionally absent and unable to meet their partner’s needs. Along with the weight of depression itself, this can bring additional stress to an already-suffering relationship, potentially leading to separation or divorce.

Every relationship has its share of problems, but depression requires both proper diagnosis and treatment. These allow both partners to be well and able to work on their marriage.

How one person’s depression affects their partner

A man and woman sit at opposite ends of a bench
Clinical depression may have a serious effect on relationships.

Depression doesn’t simply have one symptom or one side effect. As a result, it can be easy to write it off as someone having “a bad day” or “being moody.” However, if one partner is clinically depressed, their behavior and actions can go far beyond normal mood changes.

Depression can cause a loss of interest in intimacy and sex. This can then cause the other partner to feel unattractive, body-conscious, rejected, and even unloved.

Similarly, people with depression can become uninterested in socializing or being around others, withdrawing themselves away from even their partners. This behavior can be paired with aggression and even suicidal thoughts, adding more pain and suffering for both partners.

Research shows that people with depression:

  • Feel higher levels of distress in their relationships
  • Are less satisfied in their marriages
  • Become more upset than usual with marital problems

People with depression may then blame their partners for their problems and disconnect emotionally. As a result, their partners are also more likely to become stressed and burdened by depression.

Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Celia Trotta explained further to Medical News Today how depression can place strain on relationships:

“Individuals with depression are often ‘not themselves,’ sometimes are able to care for themselves less, and sometimes sleep less or excessive amounts during the day. Partners and families of depressed individuals can feel hopeless and stressed by their partner’s illness and suffering.”

Dr. Celia Trotta MBA

Addressing depression and getting help in a relationship

A man sits opposite a counsellor looking away
Depression may be eased with a number of solutions such as counseling.

One of the most important steps people can take to address depression in a relationship is to acknowledge it as a serious medical issue that requires professional help.

Depression may look different from individual to individual, but that doesn’t mean it’s more serious for one person than another. To treat depression and its impact on a relationship, it’s vital to understand depression itself first.

“The etiology and brain chemistry behind depression is still in research stages,” explained family psychiatrist Dr. Jared Heathman. “While there are many hypotheses, the science behind the brain is lacking compared to other organ systems.”

Dr. Heathman told MNT that the complexity of the brain and its disorders increases the impact that depression can have on a relationship:

“This complexity leads to many people misunderstanding the disorder. Some spouses believe that patients should be able to ‘snap out of it.’ Frustration and a lack of empathy can worsen symptoms.”

Dr. Jared Heathman

“Spouses can help through support, motivation, and engaging in treatment when recommended. Depressed patients can lack the energy and motivation to engage in treatment. An encouraging spouse can help continue proper care and coordinate services,” he added.

There is a number of options to help someone dealing with depression. No one solution will work for everyone. For some, it will be a combination of therapies or medications that helps them heal.

Some proven and effective solutions to treat depression include:

  • Antidepressant prescription medications
  • Meditation
  • Professional counseling – individual, couple, or group therapy
  • Exercise
  • A change in diet

“People who are clinically depressed have a responsibility to themselves and to their partners to seek treatment for their depression,” said psychotherapist Beatty Cohan, MSW, LCSW, AASECT.

“Imagine coming home every night to someone who is mostly down and depressed. The good news is that there are a variety of effective treatments for depression…This is a time for self-care including eating well, getting sufficient sleep, and reaching out to supportive friends and family.”

Post-divorce depression: How to deal with it

If someone experiences feelings of depression while going through a divorce or afterward, it’s important not to blame themselves or feel guilty.

Experts suggest reaching out to a support system for help, engaging in activities that help relieve stress, and seeking professional help. It’s especially important to remember that depression after divorce is not uncommon, and it can worsen with time if ignored.

“Divorce can be a very stressful life event, which could lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt, and in cases of individuals who develop major depression, even suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” said Dr. Trotta.

A man and woman sign a form
Divorce can be very stressful and may increase the risk of depression in one or both partners.

In cases where marriage ends in divorce, whether or not depression played a role, there is a chance that depression seriously affects one or both partners afterward.

A study published in the Journal of Family Issues suggests that recent divorce increases the chance of death by suicide 1.6 times. Experts say that depression and divorce are closely tied.

If someone recognizes that their former partner has become depressed in the time after a divorce, they should alert a close family member or friend, if they don’t feel comfortable offering support.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance offer the following tips for helping a friend or loved one suffering from depression:

  • Learn about depression and mental health disorders to better understand the condition
  • Offer unconditional love and support, and reassure them of hope for the future
  • Have realistic expectations for their healing process, as it will take some time
  • Try to be patient and understanding of their needs
  • Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to accompany them to any appointments
  • Help them remember to take any prescribed medication on time

Symptoms of depression

Depression has many symptoms, and not everyone will exhibit the same ones or to the same level of severity.

Here is a list of common symptoms to look for if someone suspects they or their partner is depressed:

  • Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
  • Feelings of anger or irritation
  • Loss of or changes in appetite, weight loss
  • Increased appetite and weight gain are common.
  • Loss of interest in everyday activities, hobbies, intimacy, or sex
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Extreme tiredness and lack of energy
  • Feelings of anxiety or restlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide
  • Feelings of guilt, self-loathing, self-blame
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing, slowed thinking
  • Physical pains, like backaches or headaches

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Depression is a mood disorder marked by constant feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed. It is also known as major depressive disorder

The World Health Organization estimate that 350 million people globally are affected by this condition. In fact, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Major depressive disorder can cause many emotional and physical problems, and significantly reduces the quality of life of those affected. However, there are effective treatments available to those with depression.

How to tell if someone is depressed

A lady sits down looking despondent
The signs and symptoms of depression will be different from person to person.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, the signs and symptoms of depression vary from mild to severe.

Someone may be depressed if they:

  • Appear sad or hopeless, or if they express feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed
  • Are sleeping more than usual or are unable to sleep
  • Seem tired or lack energy
  • Are eating more or less than usual
  • Appear agitated or restless
  • Have trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Are angry, irritable, or frustrated
  • Appear more introverted than usual
  • Are moving or speaking slower than usual
  • Express thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide

Signs and symptoms of depression in older adults

The Mayo Clinic state that depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults. This is because the signs may be different or less obvious in this age group.

Signs of depression in older adults can include:

  • Memory difficulties or personality changes
  • Complaints of unexplained physical aches or pain
  • Neglected appearance or poor hygiene
  • Lack of desire to socialize or do new things

Signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers

Depression in children and teenagers is marked by many of the same signs of depression in adults. There may be some differences, however.

Young children may:

  • Be irritable
  • Become clingy
  • Refuse to go to school
  • Report aches and pains
  • Fail to make expected weight gains

Teenagers may:

  • Be irritable, sensitive, frustrated, or angry
  • Perform poorly at school, or have a poor attendance record
  • Avoid social interaction
  • Use drugs or alcohol
  • Self-harm

Symptoms must last at least 2 weeks to be considered depression, and should not be linked to the effects of medication or another medical condition. On average, a depressive episode lasts from 6 to 8 months without treatment.

How to talk to someone with depression

A man and a woman sit in a cafe holding hands
Support from friends and family is very important for people with depression.

Often, people with depression may not realize or acknowledge they are depressed. Family and friends can be the first ones to notice the condition in others. Their support and encouragement can play an important role in the treatment and recovery process.

If a friend or family member is showing signs of depression, people should gently express concern for them. Explaining that depression is a medical condition, not a weakness or a flaw, is a helpful step. It is also good to highlight the importance of seeking treatment from a doctor, counselor, or psychologist.

People should be willing to listen to their problems and allow them to express their feelings. Simply being able to voice concerns and express feelings can be a big help to those with depression.

It is important to avoid judgment or criticism. People should not underestimate the seriousness or severity of depression and the impact it can have on someone’s life. They should not suggest that those with depression simply “snap out of it.”

Being gentle, yet persistent, is the key. People should keep in touch with those with depression to provide ongoing support and encouragement where possible.

How to encourage those with depression to seek help

Getting help from a doctor, a licensed counselor, or psychologist is an important step in the treatment of depression.

As those with major depressive disorder often lack the motivation or energy to seek treatment, people should offer assistance wherever required. Help could include researching suitable counselors or setting up appointments.

It can be useful to help the person with depression to make a thorough list of symptoms, key personal information, and medications and supplements to discuss with their healthcare provider. Drawing up a list of questions to ask at the first appointment is also useful.

If a friend or family member is experiencing a particularly severe or potentially life-threatening depressive episode, people should contact a doctor, hospital, or the emergency services immediately.

Treatment for depression

The American Psychiatric Association state that treatment will eventually help between 80 and 90 percent of people with depression. This makes it one of the most treatable mental health issues.

The main forms of treatment include:

  • Psychotherapy – a type of psychological counseling or talk therapy
  • Medication – antidepressive drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist

A hospital stay or residential treatment program may be recommended for severe cases or if there is a risk of suicide.

In addition to a treatment plan, the Mayo Clinic list a number of lifestyle and other changes that may help relieve symptoms of depression. These include:

  • Learning what can trigger depression symptoms, and making a plan to help avoid or manage such triggers
  • Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
  • Practicing self-care by eating a balanced diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep
  • Receiving support and encouragement from family and friends

Alternative and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, Yoga, meditation, massage, art therapy, and guided imagery may also offer some relief. However, these alone may not be enough to treat depression. They should only be used alongside psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Providing support during treatment

Support, compassion, and patience during the treatment process are extremely important for recovery. Friends and family should be willing to listen to those with depression and provide them with positive feedback and encouragement.

People experiencing depression can benefit from help with making and keeping appointments, and making sure to stick to a treatment plan.

Friends and family of people with depression can provide support in the following ways:

  • Encouraging friends or family members with depression to eat healthily and to maintain an active lifestyle
  • Helping them to buy groceries and cook meals
  • Going with them on walks or to the gym
  • Inviting them to social events but not forcing them to go along
  • Offering to help out with household responsibilities where possible

It can be helpful to get information about available services for those with depression. These services include local support groups and local or national helplines.

What to do if someone is suicidal or abusing alcohol

5 bottles of alcohol and a man in darkness
Some people may be use alcohol to relieve symptoms of depression but this could make things worse over time.

People with depression are at an increased risk of suicide and alcohol abuse.

Suicide risk

All signs of suicidal behavior should be taken seriously and addressed immediately:

  • People should voice their concerns to the person and ask if they are thinking about suicide. If they have an actual suicide plan, it indicates an increased risk of a suicide attempt.
  • The person’s doctor or psychiatrist can provide help. Close friends and family members should also be informed.
  • A suicide hotline, manned by trained counselors, can provide additional crisis support. The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
  • People should make sure the person is in a safe environment and remove medications and potential weapons.
  • If it is an emergency situation, they should call 911 for emergency assistance. It is important to make sure the person is accompanied at all times until emergency responders arrive.

Alcohol or drug abuse

Some people with depression turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to relieve symptoms. These may appear to work in the short term, but they worsen feelings of depression over time.

If someone with depression is struggling with alcohol, they should be encouraged to discuss the issue with their doctor. The person must want to get help for their problem, however. It is not possible to force them.

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I found this article very interesting and quite relevant to our situation at this very challenging period of our national life, when a sizeable number of Nigerians may become depressed without knowing or make efforts to conceal it.

This article was originally written by Dr. John Grohol, who is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues since 1992.

The following signs might point to the depression that such individuals may have been trying to conceal.

Unusual sleep, eating or drinking habits

When a person seems to have changed the way they sleep or eat in significant ways, that’s often a sign that something is wrong. When a person can’t sleep (or sleeps for far too long) every day, that may be a sign of hidden depression.

Others turn to food or alcohol to try and quash their feelings. Overeating can help someone who is depressed to feel full, which in turn helps them feel less emotionally empty inside. Drinking may be used to help to cover up the feelings of sadness and loneliness that often accompany depression. Sometimes a person will go in the other direction too – losing all interest in food or drinking.

They wear a forced “happy face”

We have all seen someone who seems like they are trying to force happiness. It’s a mask we all wear from time to time. But in most cases, the mask wears thin the longer you spend time with the person who’s wearing it.

That’s why lots of people with hidden depression try not to spend any more time with others than they absolutely have to. They seem to always have a quick and ready excuse for not being able to hang out, go to dinner, or see you.

It’s hard to see behind the mask of happiness that people with hidden depression wear. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of it in a moment of honesty, or when there’s a conversation lull.

They may talk more philosophically than normal.

When you do finally catch up with a person with masked depression, you may find the conversation turning to philosophical topics they don’t normally talk much about. These might include the meaning of life, or what their lives have amounted to so far. They may even open up enough to acknowledge occasional thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves or even thoughts of death. They may talk about finding happiness or a better path in the journey of life. These kinds of topics may be a sign that a person is struggling internally with darker thoughts that they dare not share.

They may put out a cry for help, only to take it back.

People with hidden depression struggle fiercely with keeping it hidden. Sometimes, they give up the struggle to conceal their true feelings and so they tell someone about it. They may even take the first step and make an appointment with a doctor or therapist, and a handful will even make it to the first session. But then they wake up the next day and realise they have gone too far. Seeking out help for their depression would be admitting they truly are depressed. That is an acknowledgment that many people with concealed depression struggle with and cannot make. Nobody else is allowed to see their weakness.

They feel things more intensely than normal.

A person with masked depression often feels emotions more intensely than others. This might come across as someone who doesn’t normally cry while watching a TV show or movie suddenly breaks out in tears during a poignant scene. Or someone who doesn’t normally get angry about anything suddenly gets very mad at a driver who cut them off in traffic. Or someone who doesn’t usually express terms of endearment suddenly is telling you that they love you. It’s like by keeping their depressive feelings all boxed up, other feelings leak out around the edges more easily.

They are pessimistic

This is depressive realism when such individuals appear to have a more realistic picture of the world around them. For instance, while normal people are usually more optimistic about life circumstances, those attempting to conceal depression may say things like “Well, I’m up for that promotion again, but I doubt I’ll get it.” In our own environment they may be more involved in overt, religiously-prescribed, problem-solving approaches to the detriment of their overall quality of life.

If anyone fits into any of these complaints, it is advisable to visit a psychiatrist or any mental health expert for effective intervention to prevent suicide.

PUNCH.

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I found this article very interesting and quite relevant to our situation at this very challenging period of our national life, when a sizeable number of Nigerians may become depressed without knowing or make efforts to conceal it.

This article was originally written by Dr. John Grohol, who is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues since 1992.

The following signs might point to the depression that such individuals may have been trying to conceal.

Unusual sleep, eating or drinking habits

When a person seems to have changed the way they sleep or eat in significant ways, that’s often a sign that something is wrong. When a person can’t sleep (or sleeps for far too long) every day, that may be a sign of hidden depression.

Others turn to food or alcohol to try and quash their feelings. Overeating can help someone who is depressed to feel full, which in turn helps them feel less emotionally empty inside. Drinking may be used to help to cover up the feelings of sadness and loneliness that often accompany depression. Sometimes a person will go in the other direction too – losing all interest in food or drinking.

They wear a forced “happy face”

We have all seen someone who seems like they are trying to force happiness. It’s a mask we all wear from time to time. But in most cases, the mask wears thin the longer you spend time with the person who’s wearing it.

That’s why lots of people with hidden depression try not to spend any more time with others than they absolutely have to. They seem to always have a quick and ready excuse for not being able to hang out, go to dinner, or see you.

It’s hard to see behind the mask of happiness that people with hidden depression wear. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of it in a moment of honesty, or when there’s a conversation lull.

They may talk more philosophically than normal.

When you do finally catch up with a person with masked depression, you may find the conversation turning to philosophical topics they don’t normally talk much about. These might include the meaning of life, or what their lives have amounted to so far. They may even open up enough to acknowledge occasional thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves or even thoughts of death. They may talk about finding happiness or a better path in the journey of life. These kinds of topics may be a sign that a person is struggling internally with darker thoughts that they dare not share.

They may put out a cry for help, only to take it back.

People with hidden depression struggle fiercely with keeping it hidden. Sometimes, they give up the struggle to conceal their true feelings and so they tell someone about it. They may even take the first step and make an appointment with a doctor or therapist, and a handful will even make it to the first session. But then they wake up the next day and realise they have gone too far. Seeking out help for their depression would be admitting they truly are depressed. That is an acknowledgment that many people with concealed depression struggle with and cannot make. Nobody else is allowed to see their weakness.

They feel things more intensely than normal.

A person with masked depression often feels emotions more intensely than others. This might come across as someone who doesn’t normally cry while watching a TV show or movie suddenly breaks out in tears during a poignant scene. Or someone who doesn’t normally get angry about anything suddenly gets very mad at a driver who cut them off in traffic. Or someone who doesn’t usually express terms of endearment suddenly is telling you that they love you. It’s like by keeping their depressive feelings all boxed up, other feelings leak out around the edges more easily.

They are pessimistic

This is depressive realism when such individuals appear to have a more realistic picture of the world around them. For instance, while normal people are usually more optimistic about life circumstances, those attempting to conceal depression may say things like “Well, I’m up for that promotion again, but I doubt I’ll get it.” In our own environment they may be more involved in overt, religiously-prescribed, problem-solving approaches to the detriment of their overall quality of life.

If anyone fits into any of these complaints, it is advisable to visit a psychiatrist or any mental health expert for effective intervention to prevent suicide.

PUNCH.

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