Health & Wellbeing

Keep an eye out for those “Suffering in Silence."

What is meant by health and wellbeing?

The WHO constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important implication of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to contribute to his or her community.

What are the examples of good health and wellbeing?

• spending quality time with close friends and family.

• working in a job or finding an activity that is meaningful, which can provide a sense of purpose.

• learning a new skill such as painting, singing, knitting, or a foreign language which can provide a sense of pride and achievement.

• finding a hobby (such as gardening, playing sport, cooking, or arts and craft).

• giving to others by volunteering, being there for friend in need, or caring for animals.

• having someone to talk to who can provide support and reassurance.

• eating healthily and exercising regularly.

• spending time with people who share similar interests.

Why is health & wellbeing important?

Well-being is associated with numerous health, job, family, and economically related benefits. For example, higher levels of well-being are associated with: -

• decreased risk of disease, illness, and injury.

• better immune functioning; speedier recovery; and

• increased longevity

• are more productive at work.

• and are more likely to contribute to their communities.

How to spot the signs that someone maybe suffering in silence?

“People think depression is sadness. People think depression is crying. People think depression is dressing in black. But people are wrong. Depression is the constant feeling of being numb. Being numb to emotions, being numb to life. You wake up in the morning just to go back to bed again.” - Unknown

Here are 7 signs that someone might be silently depressed:

1. Withdrawal from activities, either work of school

Withdrawal from activities is one of the key signs of depression; this occurs because the disorder takes up all of the person’s time and energy. Depression makes it exceedingly difficult to carry on with daily life, aside from what is absolutely necessary, because the pain becomes too great. Those who suffer silently might start dropping one or two activities from their schedule in hopes that no one will notice. Many who suffer don’t want to admit they have a problem and don’t want others to know about it.

If you notice that a loved one is starting to miss out on life, then this can be/is a sign of silent depression.

2. No Energy

No surprise here – depression zaps a person’s energy levels to the point where even getting out of bed can seem like running a marathon. The constant, intrusive thoughts of hopelessness and despair combined with high stress, poor appetite, and sleep troubles make life a daily battle. A person that suffers silently from depression might even start withdrawing from friendships and family life because they have no energy left for them.

3. Eating too little or too much

Increased or decreased appetite is a common symptom of depression. Gary Kennedy, MD, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, says, “A sudden change in weight, either gaining or losing, can be a warning of depression, especially in someone who has other symptoms of depression or a history of depression.”

If you notice unusual eating habits in a friend or loved one, they could be suffering silently from depression.

4. Trouble sleeping

According to WebMD, 80% of adults with depression have trouble falling or staying asleep. Patients who have chronic insomnia have three times the likelihood of developing depression compared to those without insomnia. Many doctors believe that treating insomnia will help reduce depressive symptoms in people suffering. If someone you know complains of sleep problems on a regular basis, he or she might have depression.

5. Substance abuse

Sadly, substance abuse is common among those with depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. While it’s understandable to want to escape reality and troubled thoughts for a while, addiction can cause even more problems down the road. If you know someone abuses drugs or alcohol on a regular basis, they might be silently depressed.

6. Faking emotions

A lot of people with depression don’t want to admit it, either to themselves or others. When in others’ company, they will appear overly happy or give vague answers when people ask about how their life is going. They only engage in shallow conversation because they want to avoid judgment cast upon them about their depression. If you notice someone has become distant or only makes small talk, this might point to hidden depression.

7. They have become a workaholic

You might not think of overworking as a symptom of depression, but some people use work to cover up their emotions. They see work as an excuse to escape how they feel, a distraction for the torment that their mind causes them. If you notice someone staying late at work most nights of the week, they might actually be silently depressed and not just a workaholic.

How can we help & promote health and wellbeing?

By encouraging people to follow 5 steps which will help them to improve. We must remember that when we do this, these steps may seem simple to ourselves, but they can present as mountains to a person struggling with their health and wellbeing.

It is important that we encourage them to start taking the steps towards change, but don’t push them. We must remember that they are feeling very vulnerable and unable to cope, so “brow beating” them will not have a positive outcome, and most surely have a detrimental effect.

6 steps to mental wellbeing –what you should encourage:

1. Get them to seek professional help, talk to their doctor.

2. Try to get them to connect with other people. Good relationships are important to everyone's mental wellbeing.

3. Be physically active. Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness.

4. Learn new skills. An evening class maybe.

5. Give to others.

6. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness).

This list is not exhaustive, and the information contained in this article is for guidance only and is no substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional, whose opinion should always be sought first.

Sheila Mann, Editor