What is it that is making you depressed?

In the UAE, the top three mental illnesses are depression, anxiety disorders (conditions such as panic disorders and phobias), and bipolar disorder, a condition associated with mood swings ranging from the lows of depression to the highs of mania.

Linda Sakr is a licensed Counselling Psychologist and has been associated with the Dubai Community Health Centre since 2006, explained depression as an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.

 It interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her.

She explained the different types of depression that people might go through in their lives, as following:-

1- Major Depressive Disorder

Which is characterized by a depressed mood for more than two weeks, a person with this kind of depression often finds it difficult to do much of anything or get motivated, so even going to seek treatment for this condition can be challenging.

2- Dysthymia

This is considered a chronic form of depression, and treatment can be challenging as an individual with Dysthymia has often already tried all manner of treatment. Individuals diagnosed with this condition can also suffer from occasional bouts of Major Depressive Disorder.

3- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

This disorder can even be diagnosed when a person is experiencing a good event in their life – such as a new marriage or a baby being born. Because the individual usually just needs a little additional support in their lives during this stressful time, treatment is time-limited and simple.

4- Seasonal Affective Disorder

People with Seasonal Affective Disorder suffer the symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder only during a specific time of year, usually winter. This appears to be related to the shorter days of winter, and the lack of sunlight in many parts of the country.

5- Bipolar Disorder

Is characterized by swings of a person’s mood from depression to mania (mania is characterised by lots of energy and a person feeling like they are on top of the world and can do almost anything, often trying to do just that).

6- After pregnancy

Hormonal changes in a woman’s body may trigger symptoms of depression. More than half of the women suffering from postnatal depression will experience it again with the birth of another child.

“A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing a blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better,” Sakr added.

Depression, even in the most severe cases, is a highly treatable disorder.

“As with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that recurrence can be prevented,” she said.

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