Many of us are already aware of what depression is. It’s a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness. There are a lot of conditions that fall under it, such as persistent depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. This article focuses on clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder. It is one of the most common mental disorders and often goes undiagnosed, but how exactly does one know whether or not they have depression?
Having a bleak outlook on life is very indicative of depression. Sadness is a normal emotion, but it is not normal for it to stretch out over a prolonged period of time with no end in sight. Viewing life as a hopeless chore to be tackled is the most common sign of clinical depression. It shows a troubling mindset that one is in a helpless situation that will never get better.
Loss of interest is a key symptom of clinical depression. This is easily observed with things one may have once found joy in. It is worrying if the same hobbies, pastimes and social activities that once made you happy no longer do. When one is depressed, they essentially lose the ability to be happy or feel pleasure. This is a psychiatric term coined ‘anhedonia’. A lack of pleasure leads to a lack of motivation, which is why a lot of people with depression tend to isolate themselves.
Self-loathing is almost self-explanatory. If you have a little voice in your head constantly saying horrible things about you, you are likely to end up believing it. It is categorised with feelings of guilt and worthlessness. A depressed person cannot tell the difference between self-criticism and self-hatred and will often blame themselves if things around them go wrong.
It should be noted that it is only regarded as depression by most mental health professionals if one has been suffering from these symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. If any of these signs sound like they describe you, the best way forward is to contact a psychologist or psychiatrist for an official diagnosis.
Sources:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-symptoms-and-warning-signs.htm
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
List of mental health care providers in Malawi
Lilongwe:
»St. John Of God Hospital (Area 43, Off Ufulu Road, next to Emmanuel Teachers Training College): +265 (0) 992 460 253 /+265 (0) 992 460 254 »Tee Therapy Consultancy Service – Tamanda Msasata: +265 (0) 999 419 898 / +265 (0) 888 553 756 / info.teetherapy@gmail.com »Irene Hora, Chief Consultant Integrated Professional Counseling and Advisory Limited:
+265 (0) 992 598 595
»Limbika Maliwichi (Clinical Psychologist): +265 (0) 993 662 154 »Chilungamo M’manga (Psychologist): +265 (0) 995 912 585
Blantyre:
»Blantyre Counselling and Therapies Centre:
+265 (0) 996 299 888
»Accord Cognitive Counselling Services (Behind ADRA in Blantyre): +265 (0) 882 431 111 »Vintage Health Wellness Centre (Namiwawa):
+265 (0) 995 260 153 / +265 (0) 883 859 724
»College Of Medicine:
+265 (0) 1 871 911 / +265 (0) 1 877 245 / +265 (0) 1 872 291
»Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe: +265 (0) 999 841 093
Mzuzu
»St. John of God Hospital:
+265 (0) 1 311 690 / +265 (0) 1 311 495
