Are you alone with depression? Learn about ways to get help

Do you sometimes feel like you're alone in the world? Do you feel like you can't do anything, or do you feel a heavy burden, sadness, or emptiness? It's normal to have these feelings for a day or two. But if these feelings persist and affect your daily activities, you may be struggling with a condition called depression . But the most important thing you need to know is that you are not alone in this battle. There are many people and ways to help you and understand you. Let's talk about that today.

Why is it so important to ask for help?

Simply put, depression is not a mental illness or a figment of the imagination. It is a real medical condition that needs to be treated, just like diabetes or high blood pressure. It can be caused by an imbalance in certain chemicals (`Neurotransmitters`) in our brain.

Some people in our society are still a little hesitant to talk about mental health issues. Many people keep their grief bottled up inside because they're afraid of "what people will think." But it's actually the other way around.

What are the main ways you can get help?

There are different levels of support that can help you when dealing with depression. That means professional help, as well as support from people who have had similar experiences as you, is invaluable. Let's take a look at what each of these types of support can do for you.

What does it mean to seek professional help?

Professional help is about getting treatment from qualified people, like the doctors and psychologists we talked about in the table above.

Don't be afraid to see a doctor.

If you are feeling anxious, the best thing to do first is to see your family doctor (GP) . He or she can check if your symptoms are caused by another physical cause (for example, a thyroid hormone problem). Then, if necessary, they can refer you to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist. Doctors are bound to keep everything you say confidential, so don't be afraid to talk about what's on your mind.

Let's know exactly the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

Although both of these people help with your mental well-being, their roles are slightly different.

• A psychiatrist is a doctor who has graduated from medical school and has specialized training in mental illness. They can prescribe medications.
• A psychologist is someone with a degree in psychology and specializes in talk therapy. They talk to you about your problems and help you change the way you think.

Think of it this way: while a psychiatrist prescribes medication to correct your brain chemistry, a psychologist helps you to sort out your problems and ways of thinking by talking to you about them. Sometimes both may be needed.

The value of support groups

Sometimes we think, "I'm the only one who has this problem." But when you go to a support group, you realize that there are many other people who are facing this problem just like you.

Imagine, a young man named Kasun was very lonely due to depression that came with problems at work. When he joined a support group, he met other people his age who were also facing the same problems. When they shared their experiences and ways of dealing with their problems, Kasun gained a lot of strength. He gained the confidence that "I'm not the only one who is suffering like this, and I can get out of this."

In groups like this you can:

• Talk about your feelings without any judgment.
• Learn new things from the ways others deal with problems.
• Get the feeling that you are not alone.

Where to get help in Sri Lanka

"Okay, this is all good, but where do I find this help?" you may be wondering. There are several trusted places in Sri Lanka where you can get help.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Angoda: This is the main mental health hospital in Sri Lanka. It offers outpatient and inpatient treatment.
• 1926 Hotline: If you need urgent psychological support, you can call this government service and get advice.
• Government Hospitals: Psychiatric Clinics are operating in many district and base hospitals across the island. You can find out more about this from the nearest hospital.
• Sumitrayo: This is a voluntary organization that protects confidentiality and provides emotional support. They have several branches in Sri Lanka. They are ready to talk about anything that is on their mind.
• Private hospitals and counseling centers: The services of psychiatrists and psychologists are also available in many private hospitals.