DEPRESSION THROUGH life stages
300 million
This figure, according to the World Health Organization, represents the global number of people currently suffering from the debilitating disease that is depression. Taking into account current statistics relating to suicide–along with the way the world is starting to look at mental health and issues such as anxiety and loneliness–there’s much the family unit can do to support their members when they’re going through difficult times. An important place to start is to define exactly what depression looks like in the specific life stages.
■ Adolescence
We often picture the stereotypical teenager as one who goes through moody episodes and sometimes engages in strange behaviours, which can put strain on the relationships between family members. However, it often goes beyond that.
Marilyn Davis-Shulman, a clinical psychologist practising in Johannesburg, points out that the developmental stage that is termed adolescence is a turbulent time, because there is exponential change taking place that is unparalleled since toddlerhood. Aside from a surge in hormone production, this rapid change is driven by a period of tremendous growth of the adolescent brain, and there are distinct shifts and changes that occur in the body, emotions and thinking (cognitions) of the adolescent.
Other reasons for depression at this age include the pressure to perform at school or in a social context, and relationship stress. In addition, teenagers today need to deal with a whole new social setup.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL-HEALTH ISSUES:
Steven Spielberg said: “Technology can be
