Depression: The Problem Some of Us Ignore

Sometimes if you see someone whom once was happy and taking excellent care of his or her physical appearance start to look down and not care. I may not just be a case of the blues; they may be suffering from depression.

One of the question that I asked when starting to research for this story is what makes depression different that just having a case of the blues. According to the Nation Mental Health Association there are certain signs although everyone does not show the same signs:

Persistent sad , anxious or empty mood

Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early morning waking

Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain

Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed including sex

Restless, irritability

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Fatigue or loss of energy

Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Thoughts of suicide or death

Some of those signs I have seen in men and women within the African American community but I have never heard of any of them going to received help about it. The National Mental Health Association did a survey and the results showed the attitudes that some of the people in the African Americans community has about depression:

Approximately 63% of African Americans believe that depression is a “personal weakness,” compared to the overall survey average of 54%

Only 31% of African Americans said they believed depression is a “health” problem

Close to 30% of African Americans said they would close to 20% said they would seek help for depression from friends and family

Only one in four African Americans recognize that a change in eating habits and sleeping patterns are a sign of depression; only 16% recognize irritability as a sign

Only one-third of African Americans said they would take medication for depression, if prescribed by a doctor, compared to 69% of the general population

Almost two-thirds of respondents said they believe prayer and faith alone will successfully treat depression “almost all of the time” or “some of the time.”

I agree with some of the above ways to deal with depression, but we should not overlook the idea of therapy. I also understand that not everyone (including myself, honestly) may not have to funds to talk to a therapist but if you can I say don’t overlook this idea because of a stereotype that going to a therapist may carry. It is just another way to help you deal with a serious problem that not only affects your physical beauty but your mental beauty as well.

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