Depression cases on the rise, warn UAE doctors

The WHO also reveals that less than 10 per cent of people suffering from the disease receive treatment.

Doctors in the UAE are raising concern over the rise in number of people suffering from clinical depression, mainly due to work overload, financial stress and relationship issues, Khaleej Times has learnt.
Dr Firoz Kazhungil, psychiatry specialist at Universal Hospital, said that depression is a serious disorder and carries a high risk of suicide, if it goes unnoticed, ignored or undiagnosed. "Many of the people suffering from clinical depression have suicidal thoughts and make suicidal attempts," he warned. "Some people suffering from severe depression begin to believe they are useless and should not continue to live."
In March, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that globally, more than 300 million people of all ages are suffering from depression, and a majority of them are women. "Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide."
The WHO also reveals that less than 10 per cent of people suffering from the disease receive treatment.
Moreover, the WHO said that close to 800,000 people die each year due to suicide (one person every 40 seconds), adding that it is the second most common cause of death for people between the age of 15-29 and the leading cause of suicide in this age group is depression. "Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world."
In fact, more than 79 per cent of global suicides occurred in low-and middle-income countries in 2016. In 2016, suicide accounted for 1.4 per cent of all deaths worldwide, making it the 18th leading cause of death, revealed the WHO.
Dr Kazhungil said that he is noticing cases of depression rising in the country, adding that he receives around 22 patients per day and five per cent of them suffer from the disease. He added that depression is diagnosed if symptoms last for more than two weeks.
Doctors said that early detection is crucial, yet half of the people who suffer from the disorder are never diagnosed or treated. Red flags include isolation, trouble in concentrating and/or remembering, over sleeping or insomnia, restlessness, loss of interest and trouble eating. "People suffering from depression are unable to enjoy simple things in life, including eating," said Dr Kazhungil.
He said some patients even turn to substance abuse, believing it will help them cope with the disease. He added that those with the symptoms need to seek help from people they trust, before their condition worsens or turns fatal. "If someone approaches you seeking help, listen to them and help - because you might be saving a life."
Dr Kazhungil stressed that the three top causes of depression are personal relationships, financial struggles and influence from the internet or social media.
However, there are also patients who suffer from depression not caused by life-related factors, but rather caused by neurochemical changes occurring in the brain.
Dr Dinesh Arya, chief medical officer and consultant psychiatrist, Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah, said the prevalence of depression is increasing. "Depression is a common problem that we see in the clinic and the number of patients are rising. Globally, 10 per cent of the population experiences depression and one-third experience depression once in their lifetime."
However, Dr Arya said that it is important to differentiate clinical depression from day-to-day sadness. If the depression is mild, it can be managed through non-pharmacological means, including counseling and behavioural therapy.
"If someone has severe depression, it is necessary for the patient to be managed for his own safety, including hospitalisation."
Dr Arya said that up to 10 per cent of people suffering from severe depression are at risk of self-harming. "The leading causes of depression are relationship problems, employment issues, trauma, as well as conflict in our environment, which predisposes anxiety."
A collection of symptoms
Naser Al Riyami, psychologist and hypnotherapist, said depression is a collection of symptoms, which are either thinking patterns, feeling patterns and/or acting patterns. "The main causes of depression are stress and inflammation caused by a poisonous diet."
He said that stress is often related to financial experiences, as well relationship issues. "These are either a single event or a series of events that accumulated."
He said that psychotherapy is thus the prime intervention. "I advise against pharmaceutical drugs, unless, specifically recommended by a psychiatrist and unless absolutely necessary."

KT NANO EDIT

No shame in seeking help
Having a strong social network, ability to open up and talk about mental health issues, having an open mind can help deal with depression. It can help patients seek medical help, and get better rather than let their inner demons claim their lives. Clinical depression is surging in large proportions the world over. It is widespread in classrooms, boardrooms, villages, cities, which suggests it is about time we stop treating depression as a taboo subject and start finding better ways to deal with it.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com