NIGERIANS ARE MOST DEPRESSED IN AFRICA, SAYS WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION 

DO YOU KNOW HEARING LOSS CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION?
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Health is one of the most precious things to us, our families and friends. Nigerians were once known for being the happiest people on earth even with the poor standard of living in the country, but now it’s totally a different story. Nigerians are now tagged as the most depressed in Africa. This was the latest position of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the mental health status of Nigerians. 

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. Doctors termed it as a major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. 

Recently in Lagos, a medical doctor was reported to have jumped into the lagoon and another gave a report of a brilliant soldier who shot himself after losing a large amount of money running into millions. This goes to show that depression is real and many people are dying from it.

When a person has depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It can cause pain for both the person with depression and those who care about him or her.

  
Hearing Loss and Depression

Hearing loss gives rise to a number of disabilities. The inability of persons with impaired hearing to recognize speech and engage in meaningful conversation with friends and families without difficulty give rise to the largest number of complaints. Other kinds of disabilities may concern the reduced ability to detect, identify and localize sounds quickly and reliably.



Hearing loss is an often underestimated disturbance of a sensory function.  Several studies have shown a strong relationship between hearing loss and depression. It has been shown to negatively affect physical, cognitive, behavioural and social functions, as well as general quality of life.  

Some people think depression caused by hearing loss is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong; it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression isn't a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".



If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks;



·         Persistent sadness


·         Being anxious and moody


·         Feelings of guilt and worthlessness


·         Feeling helpless


·         Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism


·         Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities


·         Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decision


·         Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping,



 You may are suffering from depression, you need help.



Is any of your family members, friends, neighbors or colleagues experiencing hearing difficulty or loss? Be kind enough to help by referring them to seek help. Many times such individuals are ashamed to speak out or share their pains and keeping this to themselves can lead to depression. Watch out for signs of depression around you and please seek for help.



 



GOD Bless

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