Tabassum examines the causes of depression and suicides in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. An exclusive for Different Truths.

“Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground, Part II, Chapter VI, Page 6

Recently, the death by suicide of the Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput had shaken many of his fans in India and Bangladesh. There were a profound and vast outpouring of condolences in social media. People were shocked because the actor’s final film was Chhichhore, which ironically was also based on suicide. In a way, in the film, he advocated against suicide. Reports say that the actor was suffering from depression. The shattered audience is left with questions. These are unsettling times.

The depression and suicide rates are increasing during the lockdown. Unemployment, domestic violence, increased divorce cases, anxiety, stress, tension, panic are leading to depression. Depression and suicides are to be addressed seriously during the pandemic. These issues are in the public limelight.

The depression and suicide rates are increasing during the lockdown. Unemployment, domestic violence, increased divorce cases, anxiety, stress, tension, panic are leading to depression. Depression and suicides are to be addressed seriously during the pandemic. These issues are in the public limelight. Probably, people are realising now how important these issues are yet not talked about in our country. It is a high time to spread awareness about these issues and to spread public awareness. Because in our society, there are a lot of myths, misconceptions and misinformation regarding depression.

If someone has so much fame and so much money that he /she can do whatever he/she wants, how can someone like that become depressed? Especially within Bangladesh, there is a common belief that having money ensures happiness. So usually it is believed that with money one is happy in all aspects.  We consider depression akin to a disease or a manifestation of a disease. Many things could trigger depression. One out of them could be sustained stress that someone has been under for an extended period. However, stress is not the sole reason for depression. Many people do not get depressed despite being under stress.

…some people can get depressed even in the absence of any stress. So, this is why it is a biological manifestation — the different genes, proteins and receptors in our bodies. There are many activities happening inside our body, in the organs, at the micro molecular level. The combination of these activities happening determines whether one will get depression or not.

Moreover, some people can get depressed even in the absence of any stress. So, this is why it is a biological manifestation — the different genes, proteins and receptors in our bodies. There are many activities happening inside our body, in the organs, at the micro molecular level. The combination of these activities happening determines whether one will get depression or not. Furthermore, when all these activities are placed in a specific environment, for example, a very high-stress environment for a very long period, then most of the people might suffer from depression. Some people have no cause and still suffer from depression.

A perfect example would be ‘postpartum depression’. Despite that postpartum depression is a widespread problem, and it affects many women. So, what happens is that the state of hormones gets altered. Because there is a sudden change in the hormones right after the delivery of the child, so, this is why many women suffer from depression. Not all of them, however.

There is an environmental relation. There is an impact of the environment on our biology. Moreover, this environmental impact and our biology together determine whether one will suffer from depression or not

There is an environmental relation. There is an impact of the environment on our biology. Moreover, this environmental impact and our biology together determine whether one will suffer from depression or not. Not only depression, but there are also several other mental health conditions like schizophrenia, Autism.  However, genetics play a more significant role in Autism rather than environmental components.

Nevertheless, all these factors cumulatively -environmental impact, genetics, hormones and physiology, in general, interact with one another. Biological, psychological and social factors all combined matter. And not just psychological factors as per common perception. So, the biological factor is significant here because depression can also happen to the people under extreme stress level.

A population kept under stress perpetually, for an extended time, for example, in conditions like a famine, world war or, epidemic, many people become victims of mental health problems simultaneously.

Furthermore, the people in an entirely adverse environment never feel depressed. A population kept under stress perpetually, for an extended time, for example, in conditions like a famine, world war or, epidemic, many people become victims of mental health problems simultaneously. So, we can see that sometimes, it can be triggered by things but it depends on the level and the extent of the stress and for how long it is extended.

A bad mood or low feelings can get all right relatively quickly. Low mood spells get over as swiftly as they come, they last for a day or two. At most, it can linger for a few days where depression causes mood swings that last for several days, sometimes with reason and sometimes without one. There is a mental health condition called ‘Bipolar Disorder’ in which there are many fluctuations. There are incredibly high functionalities when one’s mood is perfect; then there are extremely low functionalities. These low functionalities in depression drag on for an extended period. Sometimes for weeks altogether, and it becomes immensely difficult to break out of it.

Depression is classified into three categories — low, moderate and severe. Every stage has different treatment methods. There are a lot of conventional treatments that people talk about.

Depression is classified into three categories — low, moderate and severe. Every stage has different treatment methods. There are a lot of conventional treatments that people talk about. Conventional treatment in the stage of mild depression suggests following a routine, travel, being creative, thinking positive, practising Yoga and meditation.

Nevertheless, the problem with depression is that it renders a person incapable of doing all these tasks. A person feels so debilitated and helpless that they would not be able to travel or do Yoga if they want to. These things can make one happy and elevate one’s mood for some time in a mild depression stage. However, this is not a long-lasting solution. Because until one addresses its core problems — what is called ‘the neural mechanism’ things will not normalise. They can be addressed by psychology, but these are all milder versions, do not know whether the people, who claim to be cured by these things suffered from depression or not. When incidents are looked at and single cases of a person being cured of depression, it cannot be known for sure whether they were correctly diagnosed or not. The symptoms of depression overlap with the symptoms of other disorders like PTSD, anxiety or even Bipolar Disorder. So, it is necessary to find out whether the diagnosis was correct or not.

Telling everyone to do Yoga or to travel would not work. Everyone should have their customized treatment. So, it is apt to consult a psychologist for a medium depression and in a severe depression.

Moreover, what the mechanisms and the root causes are. Furthermore, what their treatment plan should be in accordance with that. Telling everyone to do Yoga or to travel would not work. Everyone should have their customized treatment. So, it is apt to consult a psychologist for a medium depression and in a severe depression.

 Prevalent talk widely heard is that ‘getting depressed is a choice’. Many people say that getting depressed or not is up to one’s will.  They claim that it is up to us to give in to depression or to do instead of things that will drive away that depression. The people say these things confuse depression with sadness and have no understanding of what depression is. There is a strong biological component when the environment gets better, productive and supportive after a low mood spell. However, if one does not get better despite that, then the problem is something else. No one wants to stay in this type of state. It makes one feel worthless and makes one feel as if one has no value in life, and one is not worthy of anything. So, this is not one’s will. Nobody is a victim of ‘self-pity’. One is either depressed or sad. Language has also trivialised it by using it very loosely – “I got depressed because this happened today”. Well, that is a very different thing.

The society has some strange myths about suicide.  It is not a ‘cry for help’ because it is believed that if someone hurts themselves in depression, then it is a cry for help. The individual with depression is seeking attention and the moment he/she gets it, he/she would not commit suicide. This is not so.

The society has some strange myths about suicide.  It is not a ‘cry for help’ because it is believed that if someone hurts themselves in depression, then it is a cry for help. The individual with depression is seeking attention and the moment he/she gets it, he/she would not commit suicide. This is not so.  A person with suicidal thoughts should reach out for family and friends.

Nevertheless, one should reach out to a professional first because our social system does not have the kind of sensitivity to not judge somebody for reaching out to a friend and family. People will judge and label the person as attention-seeking. With professional help, a person with suicidal thoughts will know what to do further.

Depression existed, but we do not know how to define or vocalise it with the language. However, since it has spiked so much today, it can be said that it has increased in the modern age. The world today is very subjective, and our experience is hugely varied. Different conditions have different manifestations. Talking specially about depression, if one is experiencing such low mood spells where one does not have the motivation to do the necessary things, and this spell goes on for a very long time, then it is alarming.

If one has become socially withdrawn and do not desire to meet anyone, unlike before, staying quiet, not willing to contribute or the depletion of self-worth and self-value then these should be considered as signs. When these signs appear acutely and reach a chronic level and persist for several weeks, then it is something other than stress. During the pandemic, the people are isolated and suffering from anxiety, stress, tension and surrounded by uncertainty.

If one has become socially withdrawn and do not desire to meet anyone, unlike before, staying quiet, not willing to contribute or the depletion of self-worth and self-value then these should be considered as signs. When these signs appear acutely and reach a chronic level and persist for several weeks, then it is something other than stress. During the pandemic, the people are isolated and suffering from anxiety, stress, tension and surrounded by uncertainty. These environmental, social and psychological factors can trigger the mental state leading to depression. During the pandemic, all of us are going through difficult times. It is high time to address mental health issues. There should be an awareness campaign in print and visual media and social media.

As a part of the CSR, big corporate houses should open hotlines for employees. Big organisations should come up with awareness programs. People who have lost their near ones are unable to mourn appropriately. They need help. The government needs to include a psychiatrist in the National Technical Advisory Committee consisting of 17 members formed on April 18, 2020, for the prevention of Covid-19. Both, the government and society, should address these issues adequately before it is too late.

Acknowledgement

Dr Sumaya Shaikh, Depression: The Myths & Falseness of Sadhguru’s Quotes, News Central 24×7 (August 20, 2018)

Photos sourced by the author