The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON)
says not less than seven million Nigerians are living with depression.
The National President of
the Society, Dr Akin Moses, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference to
mark the 2017 World Family Doctors Day in Abuja.
Moses explained that
based on research work conducted by some physicians between 2015 and 2016, 29
million people in Africa were depressed while 322 million were affected with
the condition globally.
He said that the study
showed that an estimated 788,000 suicide deaths worldwide occurred in 2015, while
10 suicide deaths per 100,000 population were recorded in Nigeria within the
period.
According to him, there
are a few unfortunate suicide deaths in Nigeria which were attributed to severe
stressful life events.
He noted that depression
played a role in more than half of all suicide attempts and up to 15 per cent
of those that were depressed died by suicide.
The physician said if not
checked and treated, a depressed person has a 20 per cent chance of committing
suicide.
The president of the
society described depression as a common mental health problem that affects
moods, resulting in a change in the way person feels, thinks and acts.
He said that apart from
stressful conditions, negative life events like bereavement, job loss,
financial difficulty, divorce, loneliness, childhood abuse and neglect could
also trigger depression.
Moses added that people
with chronic pains and medical disorders; as well as patients on certain drugs
and those abusing drugs like cocaine, amphetamine, narcotics and alcohol were
all at risk.
He disclosed that a
combination of medication and psychotherapy; as well as support and care from
family members were appropriate treatment for depression.
According him, primary
care physicians in the country will continue to create awareness to reduce
negative perception and stigma.
He also pledged their
readiness to recognise and support those at risk of developing depression.
-NAN
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