The saying about how much easier it is to cure the body than the mind could not be more true, according to the latest study from the World Health Organisation which concluded that depression feels worse than many chronic illnesses, that there was a high degree of association between depression and disability.
The researchers called on doctors around the world to be more alert in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition as it is fairly easy to recognise and treat. In fact, experts believe that depression is the No.1 psychological disorder in the western world, that it is growing in all age groups, in virtually every community, and the growth is seen most in the young, especially teens. And at the present rate of increase, it will be the 2nd most disabling condition in the world by 2020, behind heart disease.
I strongly believe this is an area where we need more research as diagnosis and treatment was unable to prevent two decent young men I know of from hanging themselves. Last month, a devastated father, a GP, Dr John Cannon, (pic) spoke of his grief after his “phenomenally intelligent” son, Thomas, 27, who had “the most amazing brain and smile”, killed himself at his Suffolk home. He had battled with manic depression for six years and his father has called for a better understanding of the illness.
The story was splashed on the front page of his local paper, next to a smiling picture of BBC broadcaster Libby Purves launching a church cycle ride. Last year her son Nicholas Heiney, 23, found he could not go on any longer and hanged himself after a long battle with depression. He had also been receiving medical treatment over a long period.
Fully supportive, intelligent parents, as well as medical treatment, was unable to save these two lovely men from an early death. I only hope that medical research can urgently be increased, particularly following on from the WHO warning, to help sufferers like Thomas and Nicholas. I feel so much sadness for the loved ones they leave behind and the sorry they must feel for the rest of their lives.
I heard this story on the radio this morning, too, and it certainly makes sense. And I grieve with you for lives of promise ended too soon because of untreated mental illness.
But your post triggered a question. Is there anything to this item I saw in the QT column in Thursday’s Chicago Sun-Times?
Quote:
“British education officials have announced that all secondary school students will now attend classes on how to be happy.
“And are these classes graded on the curve? Half of Britain’s children want to know.”
Yes Curmudgeon, we need lessons on happiness and emotions in the UK, are they not also happening in the USA?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6981851.stm
I think most people have to learn to be happy with what they have and stop always wanting more.
It’s not “easy to treat” though: how can you “treat” desperate loneliness, for instance? We only think we know what is going on in someone else’s life; we can’t really know: for example, I might say to Sally above, “It’s all right for you – you have a loving partner” and I might also say that to you, Ellee. And then you two might [though I know you wouldn’t] say to me: “It’s all right for you : only yourself to think about, living in a lovely place, retired, etc … ” You would not know about all the problems I don’t write about on my blog… And then there are all these internet sites about suicide: if someone is feeling low and vulnerable they could be a catalyst. In a society that has lost the sense of “community” I don’t know what the answer is.
There’s been an “anti-bullying” campaign instituted at my wife’s school, yes, but not “courses” in emotional intelligence.
Wouldn’t students be better served by learning, to the extent they are capable, the three R’s?
(That’s reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic if the expression is foreign to you….)
And (by the way) the kids see the anti-bullying stuff as a joke… and there are still bullies and kids who are bullied….
Sally, it is not like that at all for people who suffer from this severe form of depression, you cannot tell them to “snap out of it, it’s all in the mind”. It is a very real illness, and, as this post demonstrates, a fatal illness that should be taken with much more seriousness.
Depression:- Australia has the highest suicide rate in the world. Interestingly it the 70+ age group for men that is also very high.
Our rural population has very high rates in the 25-35 age group as well.
The experts seem to be of the view that , despite our higher living standards ( australias economy is one of the strongest in the world) and despite our material wealth and prosperity.. our focus is all wrong..
what is important is relationship.. and to be considered valuable…
people who suicide do not want to die….
they just cannot live with the pain in their head anymore.
Simon, I didn’t realise that about Australia, is your health department doing anything to help prevent it? Your right about money not buying happiness, it’s the simple things in life that bring most happiness, as well as feeling valued in a loving relationship.
Depression often has no rhyme or reason.
Do you feel like this:
Prolonged periods of feeling utterly grief stricken and choked up without obvious reason ? That you are lost, isolated, condemned in a bleak, cold and colourless place and that you’re so weak that even a child could lead you by the hand ?
People who have never had depression will never understand. The so called ‘stoics’ of past generations either didn’t have real depression or they suffered terribly in silence.
If you DO feel like I have described then do the following:
– go to your GP and insist on medication, start with something mild like Escilotopram.
– read this book (it’s the only one that makes sense) Stop Thinking Start Living by Dr Richard Carlson.
Beware Psycotherapists, I’ve not met one, NOT ONE that was worth his salt.
I am currently being treated for depression, it was first diagnosed in January of this year. In reality I’d been heading for it since the previous January.
Firstly I must bring up that there is a huge difference between what we call manic depression, or more correctly Bi-Polar disorder, and depression in the clinical sense. While both cases in the OP are very sad they derive from two separate illnesses, neither of which is fully understood by the population at large.
I’ve been very lucky, my GP has been superb in helping me manage my depression, she has been supportive and very non-judgemental, and she also makes changes to my meds in consultation with me.
I have also been going to counselling through the NHS which has helped immensely.
If anyone feels they may be suffering from depression, or that they need help, they should either contact their GP themselves, or if that is too hard ask someone else to do it for them.
I have been through a number of books and found far too many of them, “preachy”, almost telling you that their method is the best. The best book I’ve found by far is,, written and illustrated by, Matthew Johnstone, ISBN 978-1-84529-589-9 I have blogged about some of my experience with depression, feel fee to read it.
Morningstar, I appreciate your personal reflections on depression and recommendation of Matthew Johnstone’s books. It is great that you can write about it on your blog, it must be a big comfort for others to know there are others who have similar feelings.
I am glad to hear you a supportive GP and counselling, it must make a tremendous difference.
Take care.
[…] Other blogs provide great posts on a regular basis, such as, Beaman’s World with the video clip of Paris Combo, Ellee Seymour with her post on Depression In Society, and then there is Zaftig’s post on A Bizarre Day. […]
people dont understand that lots of illnesses, depression included can be caused by environmental factors , I suffer from MCS and it causes many symptoms, one being depression, I think many people may be getting treated wrongly and more should be done for environmental studies into how our brain reacts.to outisde stumuli from toxins. I believe a lot of vandalism with kids is their mood swings and anger caused by foods and pollution, please have a read about MCS or Multiple Chemicla Senstiviity or Environmental Illnesses. might open your eyes to whats going on and whats NOT being done by the NHS in the UK to help or control this condition.