What Are Emotions?
Emotions are feelings that everyone experiences as part of daily life. They influence your thoughts, behaviour, and well-being. Common emotions include happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger, and sadness. They are normal reactions to what happens in your environment and are essential for helping you respond to situations.
Today’s Insight: A Conversation with Amina, Saleem, and Shamin
Today, September __, 2024, our young protagonists, Amina and Saleem, engage in a poignant discussion about feelings, moods, and depression with Amina’s mother, Shamin. They bring up the case of a friend’s mother who has been persistently sad, using it as a starting point to explore the broader issue of depression.
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Depression in Pakistan: A Significant Concern
Depression is a significant public health issue in Pakistan. A survey in Karachi revealed that over 27% of respondents experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, with women showing particularly high rates. This highlights the pressing need for awareness and resources to address mental health issues in the country.
Depression: More Than Just Feeling Sad
Reflecting on our feelings, the poet Rumi once said, “Emotions are like guests in your house. They come, stay for a while, and then go away.” This captures how emotions briefly visit and then make way for new ones.
However, depression is not as fleeting. It is a serious medical condition characterized by a deep, persistent feeling of despair and disinterest that can affect how you feel, think and handle daily activities. Unlike the usual ebb and flow of emotions, depression can linger, making it tough to enjoy life and perform routine tasks. It’s not a sign of weakness or a state one can simply “snap out of.” Depression requires comprehensive understanding and medical treatment to manage effectively.
Differentiating Moods from Clinical Depression
In their conversation, Amina, Saleem, and Shamin note that while everyday emotions are responses to our surroundings, depression often feels like a disconnection from these daily interactions. This distinction is crucial in understanding why depression is more than just a bad mood—it’s a pervasive and persistent state that needs careful attention and treatment.
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Symptoms of Depression
Common signs of depression include:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood for most of the day, especially in the morning.
- Losing interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue.
- Feeling worthless or guilty.
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
If these feelings persist for more than two weeks, it may be time to seek help.
Looking Ahead: Further Exploration in Upcoming Videos
In upcoming videos, Amina and Saleem will delve deeper into understanding depression and how it affects individuals and communities. They will guide viewers through practical steps to identify symptoms of depression and encourage proactive measures for addressing mental health concerns. These discussions will aim to empower viewers with knowledge and strategies to tackle depression effectively.
Depression is Treatable
Remember, depression is a common yet serious illness that requires proper treatment. With the right knowledge and support, most people with depression can improve and regain their interest in life. It’s important to take the symptoms seriously and seek help. You are not alone; help is available.