HERO Cameroon
  • Search
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Projects
    • Blog
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Contact
    • DONATE
HERO Cameroon
  • HOME
  • PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT US
    • TEAM
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
  • DONATE
  • Notification

The black dog called Depression

Homepage Non-Communicable diseases The black dog called Depression
Non-Communicable diseases, Public Health

The black dog called Depression

October 11, 2018
By Christie Linonge
0 Comment
1423 Views

Alain was a 31 year old accountant who had his mind deeply focused on work. He had an unbeatable record of never been absent from work, his presentations were extremely coherent and all his business proposals ended up upgrading the economy of the Company. He was known to be very jovial at the office and he lived like someone who had no worries. Meanwhile Alain was just afraid to confide in anyone about what he actually went through each time he was alone. He hated his own company as flashes of sad memories crawled into his mind and lured him into a state of self-pity. He barely ate when he returned home from the office, he drank at least 3liters of highly concentrated alcoholic beverage and smoked a packet of cigarettes daily. He cried himself to sleep every night and wished never to see the following day light. Each morning while he left for work, he groomed himself to pretend that his life was alright.

Alain was sick in the mind( psychologically) but never knew he had a medical problem that needed a Doctor’s attention. This went on for quite sometime until his close friend noticed he was losing weight and advised him to see a Doctor. Alain shunned the advice of his friend as he was convinced he had no health problem that needed a Doctor.

One afternoon Alain’s friend decided to pay him a visit just to find an array of pills on the table and Alain lay almost lifeless next to the drug container. He rushed Alain to the hospital where a diagnosis of drug intoxication was made. He was admitted for a week and all laboratory investigations conducted didn’t pinpoint any physical disease. Two days before his discharge, Alain was called to see his Doctor whom after detailed discussion  with Alain realized he needed to see a psychologist urgently.

He was sent to see the psychologist who confirmed Alain was suffering from Severe depression and was already at the point of taking his life. Alain was counseled, given drugs and has monthly appointments which he never fails to respect.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION

Depression (commonly called the ‘ black dog’) is a serious condition whereby the way you feel, think or act is negatively affected.

Depression symptoms may include:

  • Feeling sad or dejected
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
  • Always feeling tired
  • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Purposeless activities like talking alone all the time.
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of committing suicide

Sadly, many individuals with depression do not talk about it until it is too late.

Why do people get depressed?

  • Stress is the commonest cause of depression particularly in youths.
  • Family history/genetics
  • Using drugs or alcohol can affect the bod’s chemistry and result in mood swings

How is depression prevented?

  • Avoid stress or things that cause you to think a lot
  • Develop a physical exercise routine
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet everyday
  • Avoid recreational drugs and alcohol
  • Try sharing your worries with someone you can confide in

 

If you have had any of the symptoms of depression above for over two weeks, you should see a physician or mental health professional. It’s ok to ‘not be ok’.

This year the focus on World Mental Health Day is on youths, half of all mental health cases occur in youths and this has further worsened in this social media era (cyber bullying). As a youth, it is ok to talk to someone older and experienced about the problems you are facing.

Have you had any of these symptoms  for over two weeks? It’s time to see a physician. Do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Alain est un jeune comptable agé de 31ans qui prend son travail tres au serieux. Tout au long, il ne s’ai jamais absenter du travail, des presentations extremement coherent et toutes ses propos était imbattable permentant a une croissance economique de la compagnie. Tout le monde le connaisait comme un homme toujours gai avec une vie sans problemes. Cependant, Alain avait juste peur de se confier a quelqu’un a propos de ce qu’il affrontai lorsqu’il etai seule. Il haisait sa propre companie surtout avec des souvenirs de tristesse qui rampait et le faisait s’apitoieir sur soi-meme. Il mangeait presque pas apres le travail, buvait au moins 3 litres d’alcool et fumait un packet de cigarettes quotidienement. Toute ses nuits connaisait larmes et son seul souhait etai de ne pas voir la lumiere du jour se lever. Le matin venai et il s’appreter en pretedant que tout allait comme sur des roulettes.

Alain etai malade mentellement (psychologique) mais n’a jamais connu qu’il avait une condition medicale qui necessitai l’attention d’un medecin. Ca fut un bon bout de temps jusqu’à son ami proche constate la perde de poids et le conseilla d’aller voir un medecin. Alain rejeta son conseil puis qu’il était convaincu d’etre en bonne sante.

Un beau dimanche, dans l’apres-midi, l’ami d’Alain decida de lui rendre visite ou il trouva une variete de pillules sur la table et Alain coucher a coter, mourrant. Il courru avec Alain a l’hopital ou un diagnositic de toxication medicamenteuse est pose. Il est admit pour une semaine et tout bilan fait ne revele aucun problem organic. Deux jours avant sa sortie, Alain vu un medecin qui entame une discusion detailee (anamnese) est realise qu’Alain a besoin des service d’un psychologue en urgence.

Le pyschologue confirma qu’Alain souffrait de depression severe et était déjà au point de finir avec la vie(idee suicidaire). Alain fut conseille et pris en charge avec des antidepressur et des rendez-vous mensuele qui ne manque jamais.

QU’EST-CE QUE LA DÉPRESSION

La dépression est une maladie grave qui affecte négativement votre façon de vous sentir, de penser ou d’agir.

Les symptômes de la dépression peuvent inclure:

  • se sentir triste ou abattu
  • Perte d’intérêt ou de plaisir pour des activités que vous avez déjà pratiquées.
  • se sentir toujours fatigué
  • Modifications de l’appétit – perte ou gain de poids
  • Difficulté à dormir ou à trop dormir
  • Les activités sans but comme parler tout le temps seul.
  • Se sentir sans valeur ou coupable
  • Difficulté à penser, se concentrer ou prendre des décisions
  • Pensées suicidaires

Malheureusement, de nombreuses personnes souffrant de dépression n’en parlent pas avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.

POURQUOI LES GENS SE DÉPRESSENT?

– Le stress est la cause la plus fréquente de dépression, en particulier chez les jeunes.

– Antécédents familiaux / génétique

– La consommation de drogues ou d’alcool peut altérer la chimie du corps et provoquer des changements d’humeur.

COMMENT POUVONS-NOUS PRÉVENIR LA DÉPRESSION?

– Évitez le stress ou les choses qui vous font penser beaucoup

– Développer une routine d’exercice physique

– Manger au quotidien une alimentation saine et équilibrée

– Évitez les drogues récréatives et l’alcool

– Essayez de partager vos soucis avec quelqu’un à qui vous pouvez vous confier

 

Si vous présentez l’un des symptômes de dépression mentionnés ci-dessus depuis plus de deux semaines, consultez un médecin ou un professionnel de la santé mentale.

Cette année, la Journée mondiale de la santé mentale est centrée sur les jeunes. La moitié des cas de santé mentale surviennent chez les jeunes, ce qui s’est encore aggravé à l’ère des médias sociaux (cyberintimidation). En tant que jeune, il est normal de parler à une personne plus âgée et expérimentée des problèmes auxquels vous êtes confrontés.

Avez-vous eu l’un des symptômes ci-dessus pendant plus de deux semaines? Il est temps de voir un médecin. N’hésitez pas à nous contacter.

Ebenye Veronica Njie, Christie Linonge

Translation: Ines Kwawa, Steve Fonkou

Tags: depression mental illness stigma

Previous Story
My heart, Your heart
Next Story
Stroke: I will rise again!

Related Articles

What if HIV was like Malaria?

What if HIV was like malaria? Why is it so...

Stroke: I will rise again!

Pedro was an entrepreneur who had spent his whole life...

Recent Comments

  • Favdoctor on Colorectal cancer: Lessons learned from recent times
  • Dr Njang Mbeng Emmanuel on Colorectal cancer: Lessons learned from recent times
  • Esc on Everybody deserves a strong umbrella on a rainy day: Universal Health Care in Cameroon
  • Tsamoh on What if HIV was like Malaria?
  • Favdoctor on Everybody deserves a strong umbrella on a rainy day: Universal Health Care in Cameroon

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Tags

#blackpanther #chadwickboseman #coloncancer #colorectalcancer #HIV addiction breastfeeding cardiovascular health clean water Covid19 depression disability disease prevention drug abuse drugs growth hygiene infectious disease mental illness motherhood non communicable disease puberty public health rape self-esteem stigma stroke substance abuse survivor teenage pregnancy universal health care WASH

Tags

#blackpanther #chadwickboseman #coloncancer #colorectalcancer #HIV addiction breastfeeding cardiovascular health clean water Covid19 depression disability disease prevention drug abuse drugs growth hygiene infectious disease mental illness motherhood non communicable disease puberty public health rape self-esteem stigma stroke substance abuse survivor teenage pregnancy universal health care WASH
  • FAQ’s
  • SUPPORT
  • DONATE NOW

About Us

HERO – is a non-governmental, non-for-profit organisation which aims at improving health awareness in Cameroon through health education and research.

Contact Info

Gaston, Before Biaka Entrance
Buea, SW Region, Cameroon

Tel:+237 674798292, +237691632941

info@herocameroon.org

Become a Volunteer

info@herocameroon.org

BLOG

  • Colorectal cancer: Lessons learned from recent times Wednesday, 9, Sep
  • COVID-19: Habits to kill! Wednesday, 18, Mar
  • Everybody deserves a strong umbrella on a rainy day: Universal Health Care in Cameroon Monday, 16, Dec

Newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Copyright ©2017 HERO Cameroon - WebDesign by Dr. Ebasone Kewir, MD
#

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Receive updates on our activities, new blog post and volunteering opportunities.

SearchLogin

Welcome back,