Suicide third highest killer in country
ALEXANDRA - Gauteng has the highest rate of suicides in the country with 1 in 3 happening in the province resulting from depression and anxiety related conditions.
Gauteng has the highest rate of suicides in the country with one in three occurring in the province.
This is according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Association. The association stated that 1 in 4 attempted suicides in the country were teenagers, and the country had the eighth highest rate globally with 8 000 suicides annually. This makes suicide the third greatest cause of unnatural death in the country.
Pharmaceutical company Dis-Chem described depression as a common, serious and sometimes life-threatening condition which affected 350 million people globally. Mostly women and the elderly were said to suffer from the condition.
The company said sometimes people suffered depression after a stressful period such as a family death or loss of a job. It could also be inherited.
The following could be signs of depression;
Feelings of guilt or hopelessness.
Feelings of anxiety.
Irritability.
Inability to concentrate or make decisions.
Slow thinking.
Forgetfulness.
Loss of interest in personal appearance.
Loss of interest in favourite activities.
Loss of appetite.
Difficulty in sleeping.
Difficulty getting up in the morning.
Constant feeling of tiredness or lack of energy.
Changes in weight.
Physical symptoms such as headache and backache.
These symptoms are said to develop over several weeks or months with several presenting at the same time. Dis-chem urges those affected to seek treatment which is available through medical and psychological interventions.
Details: www.mysupport.co.za
