Depression is a very common mental
illness that can affect anyone, men and women. It
is more than feeling blue or down for a few days,
but a longer-lasting condition associated with significant
disablement in daily life.
What causes it?
Some may be triggered by a number
of factors, including:
Loss of job
Loss of a loved one
Stress and illness
Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Some medications such as steroids and hypotensive
drugs
On the other hand, it can develop
for no apparent reason.
Depression has
been found to be related to deficiency
of some important chemicals in the nervous
system. Some types of depression run in
families.
What are
the common symptoms?
Depression can manifest itself
in a range of physical and psychological symptoms.
You are suspected of suffering from depression if
you have 5 or more of the following symptoms for 2
weeks:
Depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure
Poor appetite
Insomnia
Psychomotor agitation
Loss of energy
Feeling of worthlessness
Impaired concentration
Suicidal thoughts
How can I prevent it?
The best way to prevent your
blues from getting out of control is to be alert to
the early signs of depression and to seek assistance
when necessary.
Social Welfare Department hotline
Phone: 2343 2255
Hospital Authority Mental Health 24 hours hotline
Phone: 2466 7350
Mental Health Association of Hong Kong hotline
Phone: 2772 0047
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong 24 hours
hotline
Phone: 2896 0000
When depression strikes, simply
talking about your feelings can help and seeking help
is not a sign of weakness. Most cases of depression
can be dealt with by other self-help measures (see
How can I help myself).
In severe cases, treatment for depression can include
medications, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy,
alone or in combination. The choice of an appropriate
treatment is based on the severity of the depression,
the extent to which depression affects the patient's
life, and the presence of any other medical conditions.
Remember: When you
are feeling wretched, don't hold back.
Go and try to tell someone how you feel.
When feelings of depression are worse
than usual and do not seem to get any
better, seek medical advice or other professional
help.
How can I help myself?
Consult a doctor immediately
if you have five or more of symptoms of depression
described above. Feeling depressed has nothing to
do with being unmanly. It is a very real illness that
affects the entire mind and body and treatment can
help.
You may also try out a number of self-help measures
for mild symptoms:
Talk to someone (your partner, a friend or counselor)
how you feel.
Keep active. Get outdoors or do some exercises.
Eat properly. Have a balanced diet with lots
of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Dependence
on these substances cannot cheer you up but makes
you more depressed.
Take a break. Get away from your routine for
a few days, if you can.
Use relaxation techniques. These include exercise,
meditation, yoga or massage.
If you do not feel comfortable
talking about yourself in front of others or with
anyone you know, you can try telephone counseling
services which can give you opportunity to discuss
things anonymously. Telephone counseling has worked
well for many men.
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