SHARES
“Of the 1,156 people who committed suicide over the three-year [2007-2010] period, the majority were aged between 24 and 44.” This was reported on 5th June 2012 by the Star on Suicide rate on the rise in Malaysia. According to the Samaritans of Singapore, suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 10-29. These are scary facts. Those people were someone’s child, sibling, and friend. Most cases of these suicides were due to depression. In the past, mental health problems may be seen as taboo within the Southeast Asian culture. However, over the years, the awareness of mental health has been on the rise. This article talks about depression and an unorthodox treatment for depression: Sports.
What is depression?
Sadness or ‘feeling depressed’ is quite normal. It can be triggered by break-ups, death, or any life changing events, but usually short-lived. However, when it’s persistent and intense for an extended period of time, then they may have Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
To be diagnosed with MDD, at least 5 of symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) are experienced at least once a day, for a period of more than 2 weeks. The symptoms are:
- You feel sad or irritable most of the day, nearly every day.
- You are less interested in most activities you once enjoyed.
- You suddenly lose or gain weight or have a change in appetite.
- You have trouble falling asleep or want to sleep more than usual.
- You experience feelings of restlessness.
- You feel unusually tired and have a lack of energy.
- You feel worthless or guilty, often about things that wouldn’t normally make you feel that way.
- You have difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.
- You think about harming yourself or committing suicide.
Types of depression
Just like any other diseases, there are different kinds of depression. Some might be slightly different from each other from duration or circumstances.
- Major depressive episode is a depressed mood that lasts for less than two weeks.
- Major depressive disorder is a depressed mood that last for more than two weeks.
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a depressed mood that last for more than two years.
- Postpartum depression is a depressed mood during pregnancy or after delivery. It is different than the ‘baby blue’, which is relatively mild and typically cleared within two weeks after delivery.
- Psychotic depression is when a person has severe depression with a form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).
- Seasonal affective disorder is a depressed mood during winter months, due to having less natural sunlight. It is usually resolved during spring and summer. It is typically presented together with social withdrawal, increased sleep and weight gain.
- Bipolar disorder falls under depression because a person with a bipolar disorder experiences extreme high (euphoric or irritable) moods called mania or a extreme low (depression) moods called hypomania. When they are experiencing hypomania, it meets the criteria for major depression.
The Unorthodox Treatment: Sports
The usual managements and treatments for depression are either antidepressant medication, psychotherapies, or even brain stimulation therapies. Although these managements and treatments are helping patients with depression, there are side effects like nausea, insomnia and others. The goal of these treatment is to help improve the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. However, there’s a natural way in doing that: by playing sports.
In 2014, Marillisa Amorosi wrote a paper regarding Correlation Between Sport and Depression, where she stated: “the increase of the hormones [acetylcholine and endorphins], accompanied by a decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone) are two important biochemical effects thanks to which the practice of some sports is a natural technique for awakening the natural ability of our brain to secrete antidepressant substances and help control negative stress.”
In the paper, she talked about a study on three groups of depressed patients that received three different treatments. For four months, the first group only received drug treatment, the second group only performed an exercise program, and the last group received both drug treatment and exercise program. At the end of four months, all drug treatment was suspended. The result showed significant decrease or total disappearance of depressive symptoms in all groups. However, at the ten months follow up, the group that performed only exercise programs showed the lowest rate of relapse. It was concluded that due to the natural reactivation of brain chemistry, stimulated by physical activity rather than artificial substances that then, once suspended, can result to the so-called “rebound effect”.
Another key factor on why the second group was successful on avoiding the relapse is because exercising and playing sports build your connection with other people. A good support group is key on treating depression. Having and being surrounded with positive and non-toxic people will create a healthier circle.
Participating in Sports Near You
Depression is always associated with either lack of social skills or social withdrawal. Then, how does a depressed person participate in playing sports? Sports are usually played through personal relationship: a friend, a colleague, or neighbour. One can try the traditional method of asking them for a game of badminton, as easy as asking them out for drinks. However, being a person going through depression, it may not be as easy as for a normal person.
Living in the age of the rise of apps and social media based providers, inviting people to your favourite sports may not be as hard as you think. Rovo, a Singapore-based app, started out as an app to find tennis buddies nearby. With the overwhelming reception they received, they have now grown to finding players for other sports. It has expanded to neighbouring countries too.
In 2014, Padang Bola Sepak was just a Twitter account to live-tweet Malaysian football games in the English Language to fill the gap on lack of English language social media presence for Malaysian football. Over the years, it evolved into organizing social and recreational football and futsal games with its Twitter and Instagram followers. Having participated in both its football and futsal sessions myself, it is really therapeutic. Getting to know people through playing a sports you love will help with your depression and anxiety symptoms. As Khal, founder and author of @padangbolasepak, stated, “With real positive and progressive people for real positive and progressive change.”
Khal describes Padang Bola Sepak as “The only limitation towards the pieces of writing, is not be hateful, offensive, and vindictive. This is a positive and progressive zone with objective criticism into the mix in.”
Depression is a huge problem in today’s society. If actions are not taken, the rate of suicides will only increase. If a simple solution like playing sports can reduce the statistics, what’s the harm of trying? You don’t have to go through it alone. There are people out there who are willing to help. Our mental health is equally important as our physical health. So, do take care of it.
If you would like to make an appointment with an psychiatrist:
Find a psychiatrist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find an psychiatrist in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Azim Nasaruddin
A junior doctor, currently 'slaving' in a Hospital in Johor Bahru, determined to increase health awareness to the Malaysian public through his love and passion in medicine and writing. "“For he who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” – Owen Arthur View all articles by Azim Nasaruddin.
