Depression, the common mental disorder that manifests in various forms such as moodiness, loss of interest or happiness, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, low energy and poor concentration, is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to become the most serious health problem in the world for all ages and both sexes — towering over cancer and Aids by 2020.
Scientists too had come to a pessimistic conclusion saying that by 2020, nearly 50 per cent of the human population will be affected by depression.
Psychiatrists argue that the more complicated the life becomes the more stress people will have to cope with. They blamed both the society and individuals for the mounting stress that could eventually lead to depression, emphasising that both should play certain roles to reduce the severity of stress.
Women are urged to take more care as the existing estimates show that the depression affects the fair sex more than men in the ratio of 1:2.
Experts and even ordinary people believe that the routine patterns of life, high cost of living and lack of social interaction were the main reasons for stress. Underestimating one’s potential and capabilities, lack of physical exercises and proper planning for the future too contribute to this mental condition.
Zainab Amir, a UAE national, said: “Life is full of stress. Satisfying one’s self and also those we love itself is a big stress. Failure to chalk out and implement plans for the future and underestimating one’s potential could complicate matters.”
Zuhair Hamid, a Sudanese employee, opined: “The high cost of living people are reeling under these days, especially as the income is stagnant for most people, is the main cause of stress.”
Dr Tariq Darweesh, Consultant Psychiatrist at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) says depression is the price we pay for our lust for a luxurious and sophisticated life.
“Nowadays, mental health is overwhelmed by lots of stress posed by the complexity of life and our craving to have a luxurious life. There are also hidden stress factors. For instance, a working mother could be worried all the time after leaving behind her kids with a maid. These hidden factors create tension and could develop into depression,” said Dr Darweesh.
“The more we strive to cope with modernity, the more stress we are going to incur.
“Women are more exposed to stress than men due to biological differences, post-menopausal complications and other social reasons which put more restrictions on them than men,” he said.
“All people feel low at times because of particular circumstances. However, that is not a mental disorder because it does not usually continue or have negative impact on our social and occupational life,” clarified Dr Darweesh.
So, what are the possible remedies?
“The society should not get swept away by modernity to the extent where human health is endangered. Individuals should realise, on the other hand, their potential and capabilities and avoid blindly running after goals that are out of their reach.
“Exercising and taking a respite from work are fundamental to the well-being of people,” he said.
DEPRESSION CAN BREAK YOUR HEART
ABU DHABI — Planning to give your partner a bouquet of roses or a love letter or a box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day? Well, a far valuable gift could be a vow to keep your partner happy since depression can break his/her heart more than other factors.
A study conducted showed that people who suffer from depression have double the risk to get coronary heart diseases compared to people who are not depressed, according to Dr Wael Al Mahmeed, Consultant Cardiologist at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).
“The international study known as ‘Inter-heart study’, which covered 52 countries including the UAE, showed that people who have depression have twice the risk to get heart attack compared to someone who is not depressed,” Dr Muhammeed told Khaleej Times yesterday.
The case-control study, which was conducted between 1996 and 2005 and published in the UK medical journal, Lancet, covered 25,000 people, including 11,000 who have had heart attacks and 15,000 healthy people.
“From the UAE, 700 patients were enrolled in the study. Findings showed that the 11,000 people who have had heart attacks were suffering from depression compared to the 15,000 healthy people who have had no history of depression,” he said.
“The study made it clear that depression and heart diseases are inter-related. It also showed that depression is one of the risk factors for heart diseases,” he said, noting that eight out of the 10 top diseases that caused disability were psychiatric illnesses.
On the tips to avert physical complications of mental health, Dr Muhammeed advised: “Don’t fall into bad habits like too much eating, smoking or drinking thinking that this way you could relieve your depression. On the contrary, you will be more at risk of getting heart diseases.”
People must try to find good ways to reduce stress such as relaxation, exercise, spending time with loved ones and friends, and try their best not to get fully involved in the fast pace of life, he said. Source
Scientists too had come to a pessimistic conclusion saying that by 2020, nearly 50 per cent of the human population will be affected by depression.
Psychiatrists argue that the more complicated the life becomes the more stress people will have to cope with. They blamed both the society and individuals for the mounting stress that could eventually lead to depression, emphasising that both should play certain roles to reduce the severity of stress.
Women are urged to take more care as the existing estimates show that the depression affects the fair sex more than men in the ratio of 1:2.
Experts and even ordinary people believe that the routine patterns of life, high cost of living and lack of social interaction were the main reasons for stress. Underestimating one’s potential and capabilities, lack of physical exercises and proper planning for the future too contribute to this mental condition.
Zainab Amir, a UAE national, said: “Life is full of stress. Satisfying one’s self and also those we love itself is a big stress. Failure to chalk out and implement plans for the future and underestimating one’s potential could complicate matters.”
Zuhair Hamid, a Sudanese employee, opined: “The high cost of living people are reeling under these days, especially as the income is stagnant for most people, is the main cause of stress.”
Dr Tariq Darweesh, Consultant Psychiatrist at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) says depression is the price we pay for our lust for a luxurious and sophisticated life.
“Nowadays, mental health is overwhelmed by lots of stress posed by the complexity of life and our craving to have a luxurious life. There are also hidden stress factors. For instance, a working mother could be worried all the time after leaving behind her kids with a maid. These hidden factors create tension and could develop into depression,” said Dr Darweesh.
“The more we strive to cope with modernity, the more stress we are going to incur.
“Women are more exposed to stress than men due to biological differences, post-menopausal complications and other social reasons which put more restrictions on them than men,” he said.
“All people feel low at times because of particular circumstances. However, that is not a mental disorder because it does not usually continue or have negative impact on our social and occupational life,” clarified Dr Darweesh.
So, what are the possible remedies?
“The society should not get swept away by modernity to the extent where human health is endangered. Individuals should realise, on the other hand, their potential and capabilities and avoid blindly running after goals that are out of their reach.
“Exercising and taking a respite from work are fundamental to the well-being of people,” he said.
DEPRESSION CAN BREAK YOUR HEART
ABU DHABI — Planning to give your partner a bouquet of roses or a love letter or a box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day? Well, a far valuable gift could be a vow to keep your partner happy since depression can break his/her heart more than other factors.
A study conducted showed that people who suffer from depression have double the risk to get coronary heart diseases compared to people who are not depressed, according to Dr Wael Al Mahmeed, Consultant Cardiologist at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).
“The international study known as ‘Inter-heart study’, which covered 52 countries including the UAE, showed that people who have depression have twice the risk to get heart attack compared to someone who is not depressed,” Dr Muhammeed told Khaleej Times yesterday.
The case-control study, which was conducted between 1996 and 2005 and published in the UK medical journal, Lancet, covered 25,000 people, including 11,000 who have had heart attacks and 15,000 healthy people.
“From the UAE, 700 patients were enrolled in the study. Findings showed that the 11,000 people who have had heart attacks were suffering from depression compared to the 15,000 healthy people who have had no history of depression,” he said.
“The study made it clear that depression and heart diseases are inter-related. It also showed that depression is one of the risk factors for heart diseases,” he said, noting that eight out of the 10 top diseases that caused disability were psychiatric illnesses.
On the tips to avert physical complications of mental health, Dr Muhammeed advised: “Don’t fall into bad habits like too much eating, smoking or drinking thinking that this way you could relieve your depression. On the contrary, you will be more at risk of getting heart diseases.”
People must try to find good ways to reduce stress such as relaxation, exercise, spending time with loved ones and friends, and try their best not to get fully involved in the fast pace of life, he said. Source
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