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FEELING BLUE!

Feeling depressed over problems with lovelorn? Because you didn't make the team? Because you are not invited for the cool parties? Because your parents are arguing again?

Life is becoming more stressful for everyone.The Ministry of Health thinks that 20% or one out of five Malaysian kids, suffer from depression and stress.The Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA) thinks that almost 10% of Malaysian adults are affected too.

Being down or sad because something isn't going well is absolutely  normal.Everyone has a bad day, or even a bad week, every now and again.The problem starts when you feel bad for long period of time.If you feel down for two weeks, doctor say you should seek medical help for depression.

DEPRESSED = CRAZY?
With 20% of kids and 10% of adults being depressed at some point in their lives, you'd think people would talk about depression the way they talk about the flu, migraine or broken bones.But funnily enough,many people think that having depression is somehow shameful.

"Anyone can become depressed," says Universiti Sains Malaysia's School of Educational Studies' professor Dr See Ching Mey who also serves on the Malaysian Board of Counsellors.

"It can hit you when you've had a problem with friends, family, or at school. Sometimes depression runs in families. Certain medicines also cause depression as a side-effect ".

"Here in Malaysia, many people still believe that depression is the result of a weak and deficient character.They are often thought of as mental cases.This is NOT TRUE !!! Even a strong character can succumb to depression ".

What is shame is that many people who are depressed are too shy to speak up and ask  for help.These people either suffer needlessly, or sometimes go on to hurt themselves, or even commit suicide.

UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION

Nobody really knows what causes depression.Doctor believe it is a combination between genetic inheritance, social factors, psychological traits, and general health.

Two of the most common triggers stress and diet.

Stress that triggers depression can come from negative and positive events: from worrying because the exams are coming up, to getting into that university course you really wanted.Scientist think stress leads to depression because it alters brain chemicals.

Eating an unbalanced diet or going on a crash diet can mean you don't get enough  omega-3 fatty acids , compound found in fish , fruits and nuts.A lack of omega-3 fatty acids causes your body chemistry to change.This increase the risk of depression, violence and suicide.

HOW TO GET HELP(SOS).

Just like any other medical condition, depression takes treatment to make it go away.you can't just pull up your metaphorical socks and get on with it.

1. Talk to your school counsellor, they should be able to put in touch with a doctor or a psychiatric to get some       advice.

2. Talk to close family member

3 . Contact a help group.

 If your interested to understand more about causes, treatment, and find a doctor to help you, please log on to this following websites:
How Depression Works
tinyurl.com/2wrljr2

Tv Documentary: Out Of Shadows
tinyurl.com/5ef75a