By the organization of the regional board health committee a second lecture took place with the subject “Depression and age related mood changes” on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
After listening to the march of ARS, the opening word of health committee of the ARCL regional board was uttered by Dr. Siroun Vartabedian. She noted that one of the most important conditions for a healthy, joyful and long life is health, and in present times we are facing many difficulties because of which we face depression. In addition to physical health, mental and emotional health are also important and in the case of their unavailability the physical well-being suffers. Then she invited the dean of the nursing school of LAU Dr. Anahid Der-Vartanian Kulwicki to deliver her lecture.
Dr. Anahid Der-Vartanian Kulwicki talked about domestic violence that leads to depression. According to a number of studies, depression in the United States is 6 %, and in Lebanon, the comparative numbers are higher because of war. Then she explained depression and said that the patient is always sad, can’t work well and family and social relationships worsen, and people tend to stay away from such people.
Depression is of two types: one type is very serious, and the other is less serious. Some of the patients are healed quickly, and other cases take years to be cured. Depression may inflict people of all genders and ages.
The lecturer mentioned that there are many types of depressions: mood, childbirth, seasonal, refugees, and elderly depressions. Then she talked about the elderly and the Armenian refugees. She revealed that Armenians face depression in many countries because they are a minority. According to a study, women are more likely to be depressed because of family issues. As for depression caused as a result of war it is very hard to cure. She said that 17-25 % of the people in Lebanon are depressed. This percentage is very high if compared to the rest of the world. The reason for this is not only the war but also the current economic situation that we are facing in Lebanon.
Then Dr. Kulwicki talked about the ways or the symptoms that could show whether the person has Depression or not. There are five questions to diagnose depression. Women may have this condition for 10 years and not be diagnosed.
What are the criteria through which depression could be discerned? Constant sadness, desperation, weakness, tiredness, loss of weight, guilty sense of conscience. People with depression could even commit suicide. Depressed people usually drink and smoke. Death, parent children problems, and separation are factors to cause depression. Usually people with depression express that they have different bodily pains. They try hard to forget their condition. Going to a psychologist doesn’t mean that the person is crazy. Now the word psychologist is replaced with clinical advisor, so that people with depression can visit them and talk about their difficulties. At the same time, after recognizing the symptoms, the family and the environment should help these individuals and listen to them. They shouldn’t be blamed. Sometimes the presence of pets has positive effect on depressed people. Doing needlework is also good. As for the elderly the thing that gives them happiness the most is seeing their grandchildren. Now in America they are giving the elderly dolls to play with so that they live their childhood memories. In Ainjar or in any other village the depressed could take a stroll, pick apples or change their lifestyle and by this overcome depression.
At the end of the lecture the audience asked questions to the lecturer.
After that Nutritionist Sarine Shegian talked about “The International Day of Influenza” that coincides in December.
