Stop Diagnosing Yourself with Depression!- A South African Report
- Petronella Mphahlele
- Jun 8, 2019
- 2 min read
Adolescents, Teens, Young adults and Students-Do not train your mind to be Depressed!
Symptoms of Depression? Questions to Answer
I feel guilty; I have no confidence ?
I feel I am a failure or have let my family down ?
I have lost interest in my hobbies. Most of the time I would rather be alone ?
I often feel restless or tired ?
I have trouble concentrating on things like homework or watching TV ?
I have trouble sleeping or I sleep too much?
My appetite has increased or decreased ?
I have unrealistic ideas about the great things that I am going to do ?
My thoughts race. I can’t slow my mind down ?
I often think about death. Thoughts about suicide pop into my mind ?
I like very dangerous activities ?
I use drugs and/or alcohol on a regular basis ?
Questions from http://www.sadag.org
High School Students
Recent studies have found that 24% of South African youngsters surveyed between Grade 8 to Grade 11 had experienced feelings of depression, hopelessness and sadness, while a further 21% had attempted suicide at least once. These studies also state that among school-attendees aged 14 to 15, in a large metropolitan area of Cape Town, showed that adolescents experienced a high prevalence of depression (41%), anxiety (16%) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (21%) – IOL
Teenagers
According to WHO, a suicide occurs every 40 seconds and an attempt is made every 3 seconds. In South African, hanging is the most frequently employed method of suicide, followed by shooting, gasing and burning
Risk factors for suicide among the young include the presence of mental illness- especially depression , conduct disorder, alcohol and drug abuse; previous suicide attempts ; and the availability of firearms in the home. In South Africa 60% of people who commit suicide are depressed-
In South Africa the average suicide is 17.2 per 100 000 (8% of all deaths). This relates only to deaths reported by academic hospitals. The real figure is higher- SADAG
Young Adults
The main triggers include relationship problems, family issues, abuse, loss or grief and trauma. Other contributing factors include exam stress, social media, substance abuse, bullying, learning difficulties, financial issues and chronic illness. “The youth are not equipped with enough coping skills or support structures to handle the kind of problems that they have to deal with every day- SADAG
What you should Do-
Look out for the triggers (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat,You Tube, Whats App Also look out for Negative People as well (Family, Friends and Colleagues)
Go to a Doctor- GP / Phycologist, Call SADAG hotline -0800 21 22 23 (8am to 8pm) 0800 12 13 14 (8pm to 8am)Or SMS 31393. These professionals will advise on steps to help you.
Do not diagnose yourself, it leads you not being able to receive help and not know how to resolve the issue. It leads to more problems……Remember feeling helpless comes from not asking/getting the help!
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