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Depression by Amaka Obasi

I stared at this "blank space" for about 15 seconds, wondering what to write, wondering if I even know enough to try to educate others. But eh, I guess I have to try, right?


What do we know about depression? What is depression??? Two heavy questions I asked myself time and time and then some more time again. Depression is a state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future. Simply put, it's a period of unhappiness which can last longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or worse...SUICIDE.


Writing this, I travel back to my many months of depression, Oh it lasted that long. It was a very, very dark time for me and God how I wanted to come out of it! I couldn't laugh, if I did it was fake, I would lie down and stare blankly while contemplating various harmful things, I wanted to self-destruct etc. I'm a good actress; I did an excellent job at hiding it. I'd participate in activities when I was in public, share jokes and what have you, all the while knowing it was a BIG LIE, I was drowning and I didn't have anything to keep me afloat. Social media helped keep me sane and for this I am thankful. The groups I belong to will never know what they did for me, never. I'm thankful for them all as well. Daalu nu, unu emela.


A lot of humans (yes, I like to refer to us Homo Sapiens as that.."humans") experience depression at least once in their lifetime, (sad isn't it?). I for one never ever imagined I'd be one of those "humans", I mean I'm a vivacious being so how could I ever be depressed right?! Well it doesn't give a hoot who you are, it just comes,,,period.

Signs that you are going through Depression;
1) Feeling of hopelessness or helplessness.
2) Loss of interest in Friends and activities you used to enjoy prior.
3) Sleep and Appetite becomes reduced.
4) Negative thoughts plague you ceaselessly.
5) You start to consume a lot of alcohol or turn to drug usage.
6) Sexual recklessness.....etc.


Getting over depression is very possible, but, you gotta try. Simple steps include;
1) Identifying the underlying cause. This will help you understand why you are feeling down and can skyrocket your recovery.
2) Talk to somebody who is mentally fit to understand. I'd have said "Talk to someone" but we live in Nigeria and people dey craze plenty for here. You could talk to the wrong person and be mocked or worse!
3) Listen to happy music and try to sing and/or dance along. This sends a happy message to your brain. Be silly, be goofy, do your thang!!
4) Volunteer or partake in any activity you enjoy. This will help kick in "joy" into your life.
5) Pray. Yes I said it. I'm not an Atheist or Agnostic (I was temporary Agnostic but I recovered fast...and furiously too!)


As a victim of many months of depression, I empathize with you. Stay strong, hang in there, know that I love you. XOXO.



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