Measuring Depression

Waking up from a reverie…

My phone rang frantically on a humid and lazy Sunday afternoon . Numbers I could not recognize. I reluctantly answered. “Joey …. it’s me… John…” Joey is the name that only my closest buddies know me as. But this voice I did not hear for more than 20 years. In a flash, I remembered John (not his real name), my bosom friend from university (engineering students), and later we worked together at SASOL.

After reacquainting, it turns out that John is out of work for 7 years. He is living on a permanent disability benefit. “Disability?!” I exclaimed. “Yes Joey… I have been diagnosed with clinical depression“. This hit me hard. I got really sad. I have been advising my clients over the last 3+ years, in my newfound career as a certified financial planner, to purchase comprehensive cover. I get excited when my advice is heeded. I get irritated when a client insists on the cheapest option.

Now I was sad. Sad that life threw my good old friend a lemon. I asked myself “how can one proactively know that one is depressed? Am I depressed?”

Despite my hectic schedule, I set out to find a way to measure depression and to make it freely available to every one.

Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale

Discovery (insurance provider) have super smart people on the business front end (the back end is well like everyone’s back end, I guess). Adrian Gore once drowned me with info-graphics done by these super smarts on depression via Zoom: “A Silent Killer. More than 70% of diagnosed victims of depression are White females. Etc.” It drove home the message, but only presented one solution: to buy insurance.

What about preventative care? Pro active measurements? Why not get those super smarts to devise and implement an app that freely helps without a quid pro quo scenario: “I will scratch your back, if only you scratch mines.” The same applies to Momentum and other “shared-value” insurers. So I went out on a limb, and coded an online assessment tool for you, free of charge.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) supports the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (read more here). The tool is a 20-item self-report questionnaire, covering affective, psychological and somatic symptoms associated with depression. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. The scores provide indicative ranges for depression severity that can be useful for clinical and research purposes, but the Zung scale cannot take the place of a comprehensive clinical interview for confirming a diagnosis of depression.

I recommend that you first conduct this assessment and then contact your specialist or contact Virtual Adviser’s brilliant clinical psychologist Sarashnee Govender and book an online consultation.  Her number is 084 583 0769 (South Africa).

Overcoming Depression

(extracted from here)

Build a Support Network

One of the most important things you can do to help yourself with depression—other than medication and therapy—is to develop strong social support.

For some, this may mean forging stronger ties with friends or family. Knowing you can count on supportive loved ones to help can go a long way toward improving your depression.

For others, a depression support group can be key. It may involve a community group that meets in your area or you might find an online support group who meets your needs. 

Reduce Your Stress

When you’re under stress, your body produces more of a hormone called cortisol. In the short-term, this is a good thing because it helps you gear up to cope with whatever is causing the stress in your life.

Over the long run, however, it can cause many problems for you, including depression. The more you use techniques to reduce stress, the better because it will reduce your risk of becoming depressed.

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Sleep and mood are intimately related. A 2014 study found that 80% of people with major depressive disorder experience sleep disturbances.

But, you might feel like you just can’t fall asleep. Or perhaps you struggle to get out of bed because you feel exhausted all the time.

Good sleep hygiene could be key to improving the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Turn off electronics at least an hour before you go to bed. Use dim light to read a book or engage in another relaxing activity.

Only use your bed for sleep and sexual activity. Doing work in bed, or even in your bedroom, can cause you to associate your bed with stress, rather than relaxation. 

Improve Your Eating Habits

Research continues to find clear links between diet and mental health. In fact, there have been so many studies that have shown improving nutrition can prevent and treat mental illness that nutritional psychiatry has become mainstream.

There are many brain-essential nutrients that can affect depression. For example, a 2012 study found that zinc deficiency increases symptoms of depression.

Improving your diet could be key to reducing your symptoms.

But before you make any major changes to your diet or begin taking vitamins or supplements, talk with your physician. 

Learn How to Stop Negative Thoughts

Depression doesn’t just make you feel bad, it can also cause you to think more negatively. Changing those negative thoughts, however, can improve your mood. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that works to alter common patterns of negative thinking called cognitive distortions in order to eliminate depression. There are also many self-help books, apps, and online courses that can help you learn how to change your unhealthy thinking patterns.

Beat Procrastination

The symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and difficulty concentrating, make procrastination tempting.

Putting things off fuels depression. It can lead to increased guilt, worry, and stress.

It’s important to set deadlines and manage your time well. Establish short-term goals and work hard to get the most important things done first. Each task you successfully complete will help you break through the habit of procrastination.

Get a Handle on Your Household Chores

Depression can make it difficult to complete household chores, such as doing the dishes or paying bills. 

But a pile of paperwork, ​the stack of dirty dishes, and floor covered in dirty clothes will only magnify your feelings of worthlessness.

Take control of your daily chores. Start small and work on one project at a time. Getting up and moving can help you start to feel better in itself. But, seeing your progress in the home can be key to helping you feel better. 

Create a Wellness Toolbox

A wellness toolbox is a set of tools that you can use to help soothe yourself when you are feeling down.

The tools you find most helpful might not work for someone else so it’s important to carefully consider what things can help you feel your best.

Think of things you like to do when you’re happy. Then, when you’re feeling down, try one of those activities.

Cuddling your pet, listening to your favorite music, taking a warm bath, or reading a good book are just a few tools you might find helpful.

Create a list of the activities you might try when you’re feeling bad. Then, choose an activity to try when you’re having a particularly rough time. 

How do to make an Insurance Claim For Depression in South Africa?

Each insurer has their own protocol. I will be able to assist on a case by case basis. Message me on [email protected]. If you are not sure whether you are covered for depression contact me as well.

Be Safe and Stay Well.

Wishing you all of the best!