Robert had depression

This is sad as he was only 32. Many people may suffer from depression without others realising it and that is the danger. It is also hard to treat depression (unlike popping pills that would drastically reduce cholesterol levels) as many do not seek help in the first place.

The incidence is about 10% and does not only happen in developed countries. Genetic, environmental factors and traumatic life-changing events are contributing factors but some people may get depressed for no apparent reason. Some depression could be nutrient deficient-related such as DHA and post-natal blues suffered by mothers. People living in the city are also more likely to fall into depression compared to those living in rural areas.

If you say that you are 'depressed', chances are, technically you are just being sad. Depression normally lasts for months. The person may lose whatever interests he/she has got, eg. say he used to love photography and out of a sudden, he just lost the love for it. He or she becomes anti-social, lose weight and has unpredictable mood swings.

People who are depressed are also more suicidal, with men committing the deadly deed more 'successfully' than women (read it somewhere).

But I have to say that it is the family members who suffered the most when dealing with loved ones who are depressed. More often than not, one would feel helpless and slightly clueless of what to do. Treatment can be very expensive as it involves counseling, psychiatric therapy, medications and lots of love and attention (being with a depressed person 24/7 is advisable as we do not know what they are up to next, but quite impossible as you need to go to work and sleep).

People who recovered from depression may also have a relapse triggered by the same factors i've mentioned earlier and the whole cycle starts again. Well, I am not going to pretend that i know alot about treating depression but I do have some personal experience and have come to the conclusion that:

1. If you suspect that your loved ones or friends have depression, get them to seek medical help. This is because a depressed person does not normally take any initiative to do so.
2. Join a support group. People in the group can help give good advice, recommend good doctors (not just some doctors who do not give a hoot about the patients, except for taking his/her money).
3. Ensure that the patient take his or her medication on schedule (again, the patient will not do so).
4. Hire a nurse to tend to the patient.
5. Love and understand him/her. This is the challenging part. Many people do not understand the condition and usually shrug it off as a phase that the patient is going through. Thus, frustration and anger can easily set in and worsen the situation.
6. Be suspicious. If he/she shows any signs of positivity (you've just got to be cautiously optimistic with manic depressive people), tells you that he/she is feeling better already, would like to go out alone and etc......don't just take their word for it! They may be off to commit something stupid
7. Institiutionalise him/her if everything else fails. Nobody likes to see their family members/friends being sent off to Tanjong Rambutan but it may be the best option for all parties.