Seek help when tilting toward depression, psychiatrist urges women

Depression
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, March 10, 2020 (NAN) A Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr Adebusola Ogunmodede, has advised women to seek for professional help when tilting toward depression.

Ogunmodede gave the advice while delivering lecture on ” Tackling Depression” at the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration by an NGO, Beautiful Minds.

The celebration, which started with a walk around the state to create awareness about the IWD, was in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Olive Community Development Initiative (OCID) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The psychiatrist said depression is an emotional and psychological disorder characterised by intense sadness and the second contributor to disability.

Ogunmodede said it was important for women to seek medical help early enough as suicidal ideas arising from depression were more common in women than men although men complete the suicide cycle more.

She added that women should watch out for symptoms of depression which include intense sadness, low energy, weakness, low enjoyment, lack of pleasure, aggression, poor concentration, low self esteem, loss of appetite and extreme weight loss among others.

Ogunmodede noted that depression could be caused by either hormonal differences, life stress, infertility, history of sexual abuse, domestic violence and substance use among several factors.

“When a woman notices some of these symptoms, some individual actions can be done to tackle depression like spending time with family and friends.

“Also, speaking out and joining social groups can also relieve one of so many things as bottled emotions could be disastrous.

“Trying to create a Me Time and having enough sleep is one of the ways depression can also be tackled, “Ogunmodede said.

A psychologist at Al-Hikmah University, Dr Jemilah Yusuf, who spoke on ‘anger management before suicidal thoughts’ said being conscious of emotions and identifying triggers of anger could help manage it.

She said tolerance of individual differences should be a watchword for all as several factors cause anger in human beings.

“Child upbringing, past experiences or accumulated anger, non independence as a child, financial problems, grief or hunger can cause anger.

“So, when one notice he or she gets angry unnecessarily, you should seek professional help,”Yusuf said.

The Director, Kwara NOA, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, said it was important to empower and educate women as doing so would amount to educating and empowering the society.

Oluwatoni Adeleke, CEO OCID, represented by Mrs Mojoyin Abayomi, enjoined men to support women’s clamour for equality as it was not out of place to demand for a 50/50 chance.

Also, the CEO, Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation, Christiana Abayomi-Oluwole, said every woman deserves to be appreciated and celebrated for their contribution to the society.

In her address of welcome, Mrs Mariam Giwa-Bello, Beautiful Minds Coordinator, said gender equality is intrinsically linked to sustainable development and vital to the realisation of human rights for all.

“Gender equality helps prevent violence against women and girls and it makes our communities safer and healthier, “the coordinator said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2020 IWD is ‘Each for Equal.'(NAN)
BAY/KOLE/OJO
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Mufutau Ojo)