As economic hardship persists in the country, a mental health expert, Salau Abiola, has canvassed the need for adequate control and management of emotions to avert the adverse effects of mental depression among Nigerians.
Mr Abiola, a psychiatric doctor and the president of the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, gave the advice in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.
Depression is a mental health condition marked by an overwhelming feeling of sadness, isolation and despair that affects how a person thinks, feels and functions.
The psychiatrist said depression had become rampant among the populace, particularly adults and youths. He said the increase in depression cases made it pertinent that more attention should be paid to it to avert adverse effects on the populace and economy.
According to him, every average Nigerian is mentally depressed, saying that depression can be normal but that it becomes an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive and interfere with daily living.
Mr Abiola listed causes of mental depression to include restless sleep, stress, anxiety, financial troubles, repeatedly going over thoughts, childhood trauma, a job loss or a divorce, among others.
The psychiatric doctor added that certain medical conditions might also trigger depression, including an underactive thyroid gland, cancer, heart disease, prolonged pain and other significant illnesses.
“Imbalance in the brain’s signalling chemicals most times is responsible for mental depression in many patients. Depression can affect people of all ages, races and socio-economic classes and can strike at any time.
“And people with depression may experience a variety of symptoms, but most commonly, a deep feeling of sadness or a marked loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities,” he said.
He said engaging in positive activities that give happiness while avoiding anger could help prevent depression.
Mr Abiola explained that anger produces a physiological crash, saying that the angrier one got, the more depressed the person would be.
According to him, anger elevates blood pressure, increases the threat of stroke, heart disease, cancer, depression, and anxiety and, in general, depresses the immune system.
He, therefore, advised that people should learn to control and manage their emotions at any given time in order not to fall into depression.
“The inability to control emotions and feelings is the major cause of depression. If one is in a happy state, it means less trouble and stress and better well-being. But if one is unhappy, there will be depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and stress disorder.
“Depression is a significant problem that has affected some youths, which made them become drug addicts and abusers,” he said.
(NAN)