Anxiety affects individuals in different ways. It is therefore important to learn to recognise the common symptoms as listed belows :
I cannot stop worrying
I keep thinking that something bad will happen to me
I worry so much that I have problem sleeping
I cannot seem to relax
I cannot concentrate my task at hand
I am easily irritated and feel tired all the time
I tremble and have sweaty palms
I suffer from frequent headaches
I feel so tensed that I experienced twitching of muscles and a tingling sensation.
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Even though children may not understand the meaning of death until they are three or four years old, they feel the loss of close relatives in much the same way as adults. It is clear that even from infancy children grieve and feel great distress.
However they have a different experience of time from that of adults and may go through the stages of mourning quite rapidly. Preschool children usually see death as temporary and reversible – a belief reinforced by cartoon characters who “die” and “come to life again”. In their early school years children may feel responsible for the death of a close relatives and so may need to be reassured.
Young people may not speak of fear of adding extra burdens to grown-ups around them. The grief of children and adolescents, and their need for mourning. Should not be overlooked when a member of the family has died. They should usually, for instance be included in the funeral arrangements.
Once children accept the death they are likely to display their feelings of sadness. The relatives should spend as much times as possible with the child making it clear that the child has permission to show his or her feeling openly or freely.
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Symptoms of Depression
Persistent sadness or feeling down or gloomy
A loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, such as socializing with friends and family, most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of appetite and loss of weight.
Insomnia. For some people, on the contrary, they find that they are sleeping more than normal.
Feeling restless and agitated more easily.
Feeling tired and having little energy.
Unable to concentrate and think clearly and thereby becoming indecisive.
Feeling of worthlessness and quilt
Recurrent thoughts of death
YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME?
The common misconception is that depression is a moral weakness or a character flaw. Many a time, people have told depressed people to just ‘snap out of it’. Depression is a medical illness with biological roots. It cannot be wiled or wished away.
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Studies have also suggested some biological component in depression. It may be associated with having too little or too much chemical in the brain. Certain medications have mood altering properties. Antidepressant medication act by altering and normalizing the biochemical imbalances in the brain.
Life events such as loss of job, retirement, divorce, death of a loved one or moving to a new house can precipitate a depressive illness. Social circumstances also play a part. If we are alone, have few or no friends, suffer from a chronic illness, them we may be more vulnerable to depression.
People with life threatening or long-term physical illness such as cancer, stroke, arthritis or heart disease are also more vulnerable to depression.
Personality may also play a part in depression. Some of us are more vulnerable than others because of the individual make-up or early life experiences.
Every often, a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors is involved in the onset of depression.
The good news is that whatever the cause, depression is treatable.
LIVING WITH A DEPRESSED PERSON – HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Get him to see a doctor so that he can be diagnosed and treated.
Offer emotional support. Spend time and encourage him to open up. Offer a listening ear.
Encourage him to continue with treatment. Reassure him that he will get better.
If the depressed person has mentioned not wanting to live or suicide, it is important to tell his therapist.
