Women advised to seek help against depression

Bounties Charity Initiative (Bountiis), a Muslim women organisation, has advised women to constantly seek help against anxiety.

The speakers at the Muslimah Health Forum  held at the Lagos Television Multipurpose Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos made the submission.

The annual event was organised by Bounties Charity Initiative as a platform to raise conversation on various issues relating to women’s health.

This year’s event featured three panels and a debate session on Anxiety and Depression, Hype of Cancer and the True Reality, Beauty and Lifestyle.

The Anxiety and Depression Panel, moderated by Ghaneeyyah Sulaiman-Olokodana, a Clinical Psychologist, emphasised the need for women to be self-aware of their mental health and seek help and support through available resources.

Dr. Kafayat Ogunshola, a Consultant Psychiatrist, described anxiety as a disorder as a result of prolonged overthinking and being over worried.

She said: “Frontal headache is caused by anxiety. Bloating, flatulence, constantly worried over what you have no control over. Overthinking and being over worried and if it goes on for months, then it has caused the threshold of the normal anxiety.”

Dr. Halimah Olalere, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, listed possible symptoms of anxiety as difficulty sleeping, excessive sleeping, overly trembling visibly, inability to concentrate, gastrointestinal disorders or nausea, headaches, symptoms of ulcer, persistent sadness or excessive crying and not showing interest in anything.

Also, Dr Fatimah Habeeb Adeyemi, a Consultant Obstetrician and laparoscopy Surgeon, submitted that a woman multitasks because she has many things to contend with.

She said: “Living a stressful life isn’t good for anyone. Women need a stress coping mechanism. Build on your passion, know who you tell what you are going through, know who you trust. Either a professional like a psychologist. Let us be our sister’s keeper. If you identify a sister in depression, learn to help. Building your capacity and be prepared as a Muslim.” According to her, once there is a mental history in the family, everyone is predisposed to depression.