By Lilian U. Okoro
A consultant neuropsychiatrist, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, says that adequate control of feelings is required to avoid the adverse effects of depression.
Kadiri, also the Medical Director, Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to her, although depression is very common among Nigerians, particularly the youth, little or no attention is paid to the health condition.
Depression is a mental health condition marked by an overwhelming feeling of sadness, isolation and despair that affects how a person thinks, feels and functions.
She listed some of the factors contributing to incidents of depression as social media, poor parenting, environmental factors and relationship problems, among others.
Kadiri said that restlessness, stress, anxiety, financial troubles, childhood trauma, job loss or divorce could cause an individual to be depressed.
The neuropsychiatrist said that certain medical conditions including an underactive thyroid gland, cancer, heart disease, prolonged pain and other significant illnesses could also cause depression.
According to her, every average Nigerian is mentally depressed.
She said that depression could be normal, and only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings are excessive and interfere with daily living.
“Imbalance in the brain’s signalling chemicals most times is responsible for mental depression in many patients.
“Depression can affect people of all ages, races and socio-economic classes, and can strike at any time.
“People with depression may experience a variety of symptoms, but most commonly, a deep feeling of sadness or a marked loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities,” Kadiri said.
She advised that engaging in positive activities that give happiness while avoiding anger could help prevent depression.
“The inability to control emotions and feelings is the major cause of depression.
“If one is in a happy mood; it means less troubles, stress and better wellbeing; but if one is unhappy there will be depression, anxiety, stress and suicidal thoughts,” she said.
Kadiri said that early diagnosis or detection of mental depression is key to the effective management of depression.
She noted that neglect of depression would result in more severe mental health conditions.
