Relate Malaysia

About Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Depression is not a sign of personal weakness, failure, or laziness. It is not caused by possession of a spiritual force, it is not contagious, or a sign that someone is going crazy. It is a complex health condition caused by social and biological factors.

Every...

1in10

Malaysians experience depression.

Women Are...

50%

more likely to experience depression than men.

Around...

10 Malaysians

end their own lives every day.

Around...

20%

of Malaysian teens experience depression.

Symptoms

The clearest indicators of depression are feeling low, irritable, miserable, and/or not enjoying or being interested in usual activities for two weeks or more. This low mood and/or loss of interest often leads to changes in behaviours, one’s physical state, and the way a person sees themselves and the world.

Depression affects people’s emotional state, often leading to losing interest in even their favourite things, possible feelings of guilt or anxiety or a generally less positive outlook. Things that were previously easy can suddenly become overwhelming and difficult which can interfere with people’s personal and professional lives.

Although depression is a mental health issue it often comes with physical signs, such as a loss of appetite, low energy levels, disrupted sleep, and also existing aches and pains can start feeling worse.

Everyone has an ‘off day’ now and again but an ‘off month’ should not be ignored. A bout of depression usually lasts for at least two weeks, with the average episode of depression lasting for several months. It is not unusual for symptoms of depression to last so long that people with depression don’t remember feeling any other way.

People with depression often speak in a rambling and disjointed way.

People with depression may feel guilty when they are not at fault.

Reckless and foolhardy behavior is a common sign of depression.

Not stepping on cracks in the footpath may be a sign of depression.

Loss of confidence and poor self-esteem may be a symptom of depression.

People with depression often hear voices that are not there.

Sleeping too much or too little may be a sign of depression.

Eating too much or losing interest in food may be a sign of depression.

Depression does not affect your memory and concentration.

Having several distinct personalities may be a sign of depression.

People may move more slowly or become agitated as a result of their depression.

Start Your Check

It takes only a few minutes to assess your emotional health.

Just answer a short set of questions about yourself and how you are feeling. At the end, you will receive some suggestions on what to do next.

We won’t ask for any personal identifiable information so all your answers will remain anonymous.

Respond

Answer a brief set of questions about how you have been thinking or behaving.

Results

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Recommendations

Get recommendations on what to do next.

Mental health is a key part of your overall health. Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if you should connect with a mental health professional.
Take this quiz to find out more.

Causes

What causes depression? The simple answer is that the causes of depression are different for everyone. There are many factors which can cause someone to experience depression and often a combination of things lead to depression. However, the causes of depression can generally be split into two main categories:

Those which are internal to the person (such as biological factors and negative thinking styles), and those which are external to the person (such as a stressful work environment, or interpersonal conflict).

The Impact of Depression

161 574

healthy life years lost to depression а year.

48 months

delay before people get help for depression.

1 000 000

RM is the cost of depression in Malaysia every year.

Myths About Depression

“Antidepressants are addictive.”

Many people may not want to take antidepressants because they are concerned that the medication is addictive and lifelong.

In fact, depending on your history of depression, antidepressants may be recommended for only 6 months to 2 years more after you start feeling better to prevent a relapse. Antidepressants can be stopped. However, you need to do it gradually to minimize discomfort.

The recommended treatment for moderate to severe depression is a combination of both psychotherapy and medication to significantly improve recovery and prevent relapse. In fact, psychotherapy itself is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression!

“Of all the alternative and lifestyle treatments for depression, vitamins are likely to be the most helpful.”

Other than medication and psychotherapy, there are lifestyle changes that you can make to help you feel better. Unfortunately…vitamins have not been shown to improve mood. It is back to the basics – Rest, Eat, Activity and Love (REAL).

Rest: Sleep 7 to 9 hours a day.

Eat: Have a diet of good nutritious food with a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish.

Activity: Exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.

Love: Surround yourself with people who care for you and can support you during the good and bad times. Enjoy and celebrate with others’ positive emotions through empathy.

“Most people with depression need to be hospitalised.”

Most treatments for depression take place outside of the hospital. Only a small percentage of people with depression need to be hospitalized, which may include having severe depression that needs more intensive care or having other mental health conditions that need urgent treatment.

Types of Depression

It’s normal to feel down once in a while, but if you’re sad most of the time and it affects your daily life, you may have clinical depression. It’s a condition you can treat with medicine, talking to a therapist, and changes to your lifestyle.

Major depressive disorder

You may hear your doctor mention that you have “major depressive disorder”. This is the most common form of depression and is characterized by feeling depressed and/or loss of interest or pleasure, lasting most of the day, for most days for at least two weeks.

Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents

Depression can happen at any age. The prevalence rate of depression tends to be low in younger children, but increases significantly in adolescents. While depressive symptoms are often similar in children and adults, some children and adolescents may report feeling very irritable instead of sadness when depressed.

Peripartum depression

About 3-6% of women experience symptoms of major depression during pregnancy or in the four weeks following delivery. This is known as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Many women with peripartum depression also experience severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Persistent depressive disorder

Some people may experience a more chronic form of depression called persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia). The depressed mood lasts most of the day, for more days than not, for at least 2 years for adults and at least 1 year for children and adolescents.

There are many effective treatments for depression today. A majority of people who receive treatment will feel very much better. However, some people might struggle with depression for a long time. It is important to remember that recovery is not just a destination, but a journey. Like most journeys, it is not a straight path to feeling good. There will be ups and downs, with moments of success and other times when things are more difficult. Rather than focusing on finding the “cure” or being symptom-free, recovery is a road to wellness and health.

Just like some physical conditions, some mental health conditions are chronic. But this does not mean our lives have to come to a standstill; rather than waiting until our symptoms are gone, we can focus on leading satisfying, purposeful, and hopeful lives even while living with them. Moving forward and building meaning into our lives will improve functioning and push us towards mental well-being.

If you are concerned that a person may be suicidal, look for changes in their behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of most serious concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or life change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

If you are concerned that someone you know is thinking about suicide or planning to attempt suicide, here are some steps that you can take.

It can be difficult to have someone you care about go through depression. You may be confused about some of the behaviours and symptoms of depression and are unsure about how to best help them. You may be so concerned about them that you do not notice how their depression is affecting you. Depression rarely happens in isolation; it is often strongly affected by relationships, and can itself have a profound effect on relationships in turn. Here are some helpful things to keep in mind.

1. Recovering from depression is a process, and often a long one. There are no quick or magical fixes. It doesn’t go away after a fun night out, or with a good meal, or by pretending it’s not there and not paying it any attention. Even when your loved one experiences a success in their journey it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “all better”. Be patient in the recovery process, and don’t push your loved one beyond what they are able to do.

2. Continue to communicate that you are there to support them and do not take it personally if they refuse your help. Gently ask them if there is anything you can do to support them, even if they continue to say “no”. Keep the door open to demonstrate your steadfast care and support.

3. Sharing your feelings, thoughts, and occasionally even your struggles allows your loved one to partner with you in your own life, helping them feel less like a “patient” and more like a valued friend or family member.

4. Caring for someone with depression can be stressful and tiring. The burden of caregiving can affect your mental and physical health, no matter how willing to care and compassionate you are. Getting help and support for yourself can help you cope with stress, learn new skills, and feel less alone in your caregiving role. It may be useful to talk to family or friends who understand, join a support group, or connect with a mental health professional during this tim

These signs and symptoms will affect the way you live your daily life. From the way you relate to family and friends, to your performance at work and your capacity to carry out your responsibilities, depression cannot be glossed over for long.
Take this quiz to find out more.