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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 19:11:40
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I seriously think that this could be a very real and overlooked health problem in many Gambians,especially with the advent of modern communication methods available in the country.I like the last sentence of this piece:
"The kind word or genuine advice can save a life."
I will remember this sentence for a long time,comments from bantaba posters,I wonder ? 
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/the-era-of-youth-depression
The era of youth depression
Friday, October 01, 2010
The 21st century and the era of globalization. Young people have so much to look forward to. We have been exposed to so much development, infrastructural, scientific and technological and the world is simply ours to conquer. So just what could be going wrong. Why are a considerable percentage of youths not energised and so laid back and de-motivated. There are a lot of reasons, most of them highly researched and publicised and others not so much. However, I want to delve into one which seems to be growing (both in young children and those approaching adulthood) and which has a devastating effect, depression.
Being of this hopeful generation, I have been fortuned to be exposed to documentaries, articles and even personal experiences regarding this affliction that was until a little while ago, deemed something suffered by the older generation especially those who feel like they have nothing much to anticipate and be excited about. However, that is no longer the case. Just a couple of days ago, I took the liberty of asking a colleague why he was looking so glum and his answers was shocking. He had no clue why he was feeling this way and lately it had been the norm. He added that he had been feeling sick to his stomach and it had been getting worse with the passage of time. But it was not of a physical nature. So how does one treat an ailment that is not of a physical nature? It begins with understanding it, hence my research on this topic and this article.
Depression is a major disease, and it#146;s effects are devastating not only on the victims but also on their families as it stretches it#146;s ugly fingers into the soul and steals away hope, contentment and happiness. This genuine medical condition is quite serious and not a conscious choice. A 'down in the dumps day' is not a cause for panic, but when a week of suffering turns into two or three and one#146;s joy in life is lost, steps need to be taken in order for this condition to be stalled and reversed. The first step which involves the acknowledgement of the presence of the disease in any sufferer and the willingness to seek treatment will undoubtedly be one of the hardest decisions they ever make, but with assistance and time, this disease can be defeated.
The following are some of the common signs of depression
# Having ongoing feelings of sadness and emptiness
# Suffering from constant fatigue and lack of motivation
# Harbouring feelings of worthlessness and guilt
# Viewing life with pessimism and hopelessness.
# Being plagued by insomnia [the inability to sleep] or sleeping excessively.
# Feeling abnormally irritable or discontent
# Taking no pleasure in previously enjoyed hobbies or activities
# Harbouring dark thoughts especially of suicide or death.(extreme cases)
# Erratic mood swings
These conditions usually do not occur overnight but gradually creeps into one#146;s life. Research shows that a first and second episode of depression more often than not traces back to stress. When stress is ongoing, the symptoms may also increase proportionally. What may begin as fatigue can move to feeling overwhelmed, and grow into a sense of hopelessness. Catastrophic unexpected events can also trigger an immediate slide into depression.
This terrible affliction .eats away slowly but steadily at a person's self esteem and sense of self worth and eventually one#146;s ultimate essence, the soul. It is therefore difficult for someone who has never suffered the effects of this illness to understand how completely this illness consumes and over powers and individual.
Bullying is also a major factor in depression among teenagers which in some states carries a penalty for the offender or offenders. Different people react differently to depression and then again it depends on the severity of the depression. The road to recovery is painful and difficult as one day you are up on cloud nine and the next it feels like your world has come crashing down around you. And in the partially developed mind of such an innocent, the world becomes an oyster of punishment from which they wish to escaped, a form of escapism that draws them deeper into themselves and on to the fore mentioned. However, being surrounded by family and friends who would promote positive thinking in you is integral to the recovery process. Recommended therapies usually last from six to eight months depending again on the individual and the degree of depression he or she suffers from.
The toll is not only evident on sufferers of the disease but also on their chosen network of people, who love then and want what is best for them, assisting them in the course of recovery if they are willing to take the first step As the percentage in victims of depression rise everyday, it is up to us to try and reduce the rate. By doing something as little but as significant as standing up against bullying especially, cyber bullying. Many teens might argue in the case of depression gone bad[suicide] that they did not have an actual hand in the death of a fellow peer and all of this would be said without a twinge of remorse,
Do you know what my answer to that is, you might think because you did not participate in their actual death, you have somehow gained absolution. But the truth is you played a part in their untimely demise and you know what they say, if you are old enough to play the bully, then you are old enough to know better. The point is, we owe it to ourselves as human beings to do our part in the eradication of this disease. So today, let us each make a silent vow to be better people in every way that matters especially being of positive influence to those who need it. Do further research on this and other psychological ailments of this nature to be better informed and in a more fitting position to detect and be of aid to someone in need. The kind word or genuine advice can save a life.
Author: Adelaide Mendy
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 01:07:11
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quote:
I seriously think that this could be a very real and overlooked health problem in many Gambians,especially with the advent of modern communication methods available in the country.
Excellent post Toubab...Sadly, depression is always ignored in Gambia and its sufferers are often dismissed as rude or lazy. In it's worst instances, it is often labeled as the work of underworld spiritual forces.
Most Africans do not consider sicknesses that do not render victims bedridden as genuine.
An African friend of mine suffered extreme depression a few months ago and it was very difficult to coax him into seeing a doctor. He eventually agreed to seeing a Doctor, and the prescribed medication helped to level the serotonin in his brain.
We were also able to talk about the non-chemical aspects of his depression and that really helped. It also took more than a minute to convince him that the African reasoning of "men who open up their problems are inherently weak" is flawed.
It is a good step that the media is beginning to talk about depression... the next hurdle would be to convince people that most cases of depression is like malaria or any other sickness, and it is very curable. |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 14:51:59
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Toubab,
I don't believe that depression is a problem for the majority of Gambians... |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 16:15:29
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| Depression may have been overlooked as it may have not been known like other health issues in Gambia, but Gambians in general, compared to Western world would suffer from depression less frequently. At least, that is what I would have thought. I have seen many more depressed people in North America than Gambia. Gambians are very friendly, social, lively, relaxed people. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 16:25:55
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| I think that depression is a very real illness - it is likley that some Gambians do suffer from depression and are not treated - but same is true for any other country. I can't think of any reason why there would be either more - or fewer - people (proportionally) with depression in the Gambia than anywhere else in the world. It is an illness which affects the chemical balance of the brain - anyone can get it - most people don't. We just use the phrase "depressed" when we really mean they are low. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 18:15:56
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| I am inclined to believe that statistics on depression is lower in communal societies than in societies where individuality is the norm. I think the support systems provided by communal societies in places like Gambia and many third world countries, make people less likely to be depressed, in that people hardly feel alone or isolated in such societies. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 19:01:19
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| I'm not sure that technology itself has anything to do with it - the usage of it, maybe. Modern society with all its pressures, maybe. And if that is true then indeed perhaps Mansasulu and Turk are right and Gambian society with its integrated family networks means that there is less depression - but that would also presuppose that a lot of discussion is taking place between family members about everyday problems and issues ..... However, I don't think depression is just about physical isolation - you can be an isolated teenager (or anyone) in a big family if the family aren't aware of your problems and you are not able/free/willing to discuss them ... |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 19:46:18
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| Lily,the avilability of information about people from other lands and the way they live, the advantages they have,all this world opening wonder that the young Gambian has access to must have some effect on how he or she feels when compared to perhaps an existance where survival is of paramount importance where bathrooms for the AVERAGE Gambian is non existant and is probably a bucket in a rusty corrugated iron enclousure next to a toilet in the same condition,would not you feel depressed seeing that that you had no hope of obtaining ? having said that I would agree with your thoughts that you have expressed in relation to the other posters,if you do not know and havn't seen then your condition is normal and you would not feel depressed. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 21:43:56
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| Toubab, is the premise of your argument that people could get depressed just because they have little or no chance of enjoying the same "advantages" people in other lands enjoy...? I am really struggling to make sense out of it. I dont believe there is any corelation between material enjoyment or access to some lifestyle and depression. I have never experienced depression, but what I know about it is that it is more or less connected to the emotional aspects of the lives of individuals. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 22:46:43
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| mansasulu you write "the emotional aspects of the lives of individuals." yes ,I expect that that plays a great part in depression and a part of what you describe MUST be if modern developments like the internet can show such vast differences in lifestyles then those who have seen such differences in that technology more than likely will look at the meagre housing and lifestyles lived by the AVERAGE Gambian and think to themselves, why can't I be like them ? HOwever life in expensive western cultures has different pressures,like, how can I get more money to pay the rent this month ? the fares to work have gone up so much,we will have to cut back on our food as well,I have to buy a season ticket to travel to work on the train,I cannot afford to run a car,totally different problems experienced by the AVERAGE Gambian,who maybe out of work living in a family compound where one member is working and getting a wage he knows full well that he will be fed because he is part of a family,such extended family systems do not apply in most westernised countries,they may well exist in many other countries in the Arab world.There is a saying in England, the grass is always greener on the other side ( I was going to put a link here but there were so many and nobody really knows how the saying came about,if you don't know what it means google it and take your choice ) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 23:13:44
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Mansasula I agree with you. If people have supportive social networks they are less likely to be depressed. Also SUNSHINE has a big impact on seratonin in the brain. If you get lots of sunshine into your brain you are less likely to need anti depressants.
Another depressant factor is relative poverty. In Gambian villages most people live in similar conditions, so envy is less likely and people are less likely to get depressed for their lack of possessions. Comparatively, people in UK that are poor are very aware of richer people all around then. That is depressing. |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 23:23:53
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I,ll go with that Gambiabev,all that sun beaches sea,there was a heavy frost here this morning Brrrrrrrrrrr cold  bet it,s even colder in Denmark
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 23:43:21
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| Think this is a little too simplistic guys. Depression is not just linked to envy of what others have - or to sunshine remedies. But do agree that depression may be alleviated because of close contact with others. Tho have to say I think this would only work if the depressed person was in close discussion with others (but know that teenagers within some of the families I know do not have a close converstational connection with their parents). |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 08:39:57
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| Perhaps these depressed teenagers are big blowers. Do not underestimate the negative effects of this so called soft drug: it can cause depression and unbelievable mood swings, even psychosis. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 09:08:54
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| Yes Anna, it can make people very paranoid and negative if they over do it! |
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