Taiwo Oduguwa, a psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Lagos has revealed that women in Nigeria are more likely to suffer depression than men.
According to her, the pressure of balancing work and family, among other things, makes women more vulnerable.
She explained that depression in Nigerian women can be successfully treated in most cases but many victims don’t even know there’s a problem. She said:
“…With the onset of puberty, a girl’s risk of developing depression increases dramatically to twice that of boys….Unfortunately, its diagnosis is still missed by doctors and non-mental health workers.”
Studies show that hormones play a major part in making women more vulnerable to depression. According to experts, hormonal changes that happen during periods and pregnancy can tamper with a woman’s mood like depression does.
Apart from making it difficult for those affected to live a happy and fulfilled life, depression is also a major risk factor for suicide. That feeling of hopelessness can prompt the person to see suicide as a way to end the pain.
When to get help
Depression and sadness are not the same thing. Sadness is temporary, but depression isn’t. If you’re constantly sad and nothing (even the things you once loved) can get you out of it, then it’s possible you’re struggling with depression.
It is also a big red flag if you often think about killing or harming yourself. If you suspect depression, it’s crucial that you see a professional as soon as possible. We can only successfully battle depression in Nigerian women when we learn how to recognize the signs in ourselves and others, and also seek help promptly.
