Depression: A silent killer (Robin Williams, dead at 63)

Today, we've learnt of the darker side of comedy. Robin Williams, aged 63, a victim of depression has taken his own life.

Most of us will have felt upset, sad and “depressed” at some point of time or another. Today we will talk about depression, an illness.

Depression is an illness just like pneumonia or cancer are illnesses. “Depression” becomes an illness when this mood is severe, lasts for more than 2 weeks and it affects your ability function at work, home or school [1].

Common symptoms include [1]:
  • Lowered self-esteem
  • Changes to sleep pattern – Insomnia, broken sleep or excessive sleeping
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Lowered ability to control emotions such as negativity, anger, guilt, irritability and anxiety
  • Some people feel worse in the mornings
  • Reduced ability to enjoy things: loss of interest and enjoyment in usual activities.
  • Reduced or absent sex drive
  • Poor concentration and memory
  • Reduced motivation
  • Reduced energy levels

Some people may feel suicidal or want to harm themselves.

There are different types of depression [1]:
  • Melancholic Depression – a biological depression. This type of depression is normally more severe than non-melancholic depression. Sufferers normally lose interest in things they normally are interested in and find it hard to be cheered up. In addition, there is commonly psycho-motor changes, for instance decreased energy, low concentration levels, and motions tend to be slowed or agitated.. This forms about 10% of all depression cases.
  • Non-Melancholic Depression –  This is the most common form of depression forming about 90% of cases of depression. This form of depression is normally due to psychological causes. It often coincides to something stressful in a person's life (e.g moving house, getting married, retirement) and a person's personality can be another contributing factor.
  • Psychotic Depression – This is a less common type of depression. It can be either melancholic or non-melancholic. Features include an even more severely depressed mood even more severe psychomotor disturbance and psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations).
  • Atypical Depression – As its name describes, this is a type of depression with opposite type of characteristics.  For examples, reverse features includes putting on weight, over eating, sleeping too much, heaviness in the arms and legs, being able to be cheered up. 
If you know of someone who is depressed, it can be the worst thing to tell them snap out of it.  Most people having depression would need help from a mental health professional. The best place to start is with their GP. I will talk about the different specialist and treatments they provide in a later post.

If you or someone you know are suicidal or want to hurt themselves, this is an emergency. Please get help immediately. There are various 24 hour help available in Australia:
  • Police/ Fire/ Ambulance: 000
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

If you don't have access to a phone, you can present to your nearest Emergency Department.

References
[1] Black Dog Insitute, Depression Explained
[2] Lifeline, I need help now
[3] NSW Ministry of Health Drug and Alcohol, Mental Health Line

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