ARREST THAT KILLER

Mjangos are getting concerned about why I don’t post my pictures on social media platforms anymore. I’m nearly becoming a ghost on the internet that writes articles and they find their way to the real world. Come to think of it, maybe people in the other side of the grave do write to us but they have never found a delivery man or woman. Anyway I prefer to roll like that, mysterious in a way. That’s as far as I can say about my image online. It’s the name that matters, Mjango. 
And there is also something sui generis about what we call a mystery. It draws a level of curiosity, anxiety and reverence to some extent. It is in the nature of human beings to be awed by things they don’t fully know about. For example, I usually tell my girl friends that that day they will show a man what’s beyond that cleavage, the awe in him shrinks like a suddenly unexcited manhood. The mystery of the actual look of what lies beyond keeps him drooling and yearning. The curiosity and yearn have a longer span compared to when you reveal it. So when you do, it will be short lived. Why do you think he pursues you with all his manly zeal but he slows down even to resentment levels after he chipos you?
Anyway, today we take a break from the series, mjango. You’ll see why I call it constructive break. I have received word that the curiosity and anxiety that comes with the episodes have been too much thus deserving a recovery break. Maybe for the body to have time to reproduce curiosity and anxiety enzymes that have been exploited immensely over the past few weeks. “The suspense is just intense!” One Martha did say. 
So get a breather mjango. Find yourself a jacuzzi and some good sun and a glass of juice with a small umbrella sticking out of it and relieve yourself. Ladies, wear a bikini, apply some sun screen… Or what comes first? Do you apply the sun screen while clothless then you put on the bikini (I’m avoiding using the word nude. Yikes!) or after you put on the bikini? Okay, bora sunscreen. Put on sunglasses, of which you should get a pair or two fabulous ones from Eyes and Sunnies. And please get sunglasses that suit you mjango. I won’t mention names, but if you don’t do something about it, I will have to for your own sake. Yea so Eyes and Sunnies have very nice sunglasses and other fancy glasses I know you’d love. (Click on the highlighted text to visit their instagram page.) Then you can put on a sun hat. Look for one that will make you look like a tourist. Then act like you’re in a reality TV show with Khloe Kardashian. Or pose for videos for the Gram as if you’re in Cardi B’s music video. 
For dudes, a beach shirt and a pair of beach shorts or a swimming costume that doesn’t show the world how unblessed you are inside your boxers would do. We are just from talking about keeping things a mystery and I dare you to put on a costume that tells the full tale of Mzee Abdallah. There is no cleavage for that area 51. So quit trying mystery stunts that will still have you go to bed alone at night by the way. 
Then sit by the pool and release yourself maybe until you start floating in the air. Meditate. Don’t think. Just meditate. And have yourself a nice day or week off Mjango.
I’m also trying to say that make it a regular thing to treat yourself, meditate and get away from normal routine. In the middle of all that, get someone to talk to. Someone who you can tell shit but their ears have this processing plant that turns shit into manure that graces your flower garden inside them. They don’t store all your sorrows and mistakes to use against you someday and to judge you. Just have a good laugh and shed off some weight that’s inside you.
You know why mjango? Because people who don’t do that are vulnerable to depression. Yes. Here goes our constructive break. 
Lately the conversation has been about depression. It has been nicknamed the silent killer and it needs to be arrested before it causes more fatalities. Even some of us reading this right now could be patients of depression but we don’t know it yet. We don’t want to lose you to something that can be handled on earth mjango. And it can only be handled when you stop and thoroughly inspect yourself.
At this juncture, (that’s a phrase high school teachers like using,) I’d like to introduce Jude, a loyal mjango who took the time out of concern to compile some key things we ought to know as we strive to fight depression. 
“Jude, karibu sana. Hey mjango reading this, now behave yourself as Jude talks to us. I know you are not used to new people writing here. But he won’t take long. Don’t put on your bikini or speedos yet.”
“Thank you Mjango. It is an honour. To begin with, allow me to present you with facts from the WHO:

• Depression is a mental disorder that affects about 300 million people of all ages in the world. 
• It is the number one cause of disability and contributes greatly to the burden of disease. 
• More women are affected by depression than men.
• At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Trust me, you don’t want it to get to that point. 
• There are effective psychological and pharmacological treatments for depression. 

Feelings of lowliness, sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities are occurrences familiar to all of us. But, if they persist and affect our life substantially, it may be depression.
Note that depression is different from the fluctuations in mood that people experience as a part of normal life. Temporary emotional responses to the challenges of everyday life do not constitute depression.
For example, the feeling of grief resulting from the death of someone close is not itself depression, and that’s if it does not persist.
There a number of types of depression. 
As you read them, it will be good to take note of whether you have ever or can personally relate to any of them. 
1.Major depression 
Individuals with major depression feel profound and constant hopelesness and despair .
It may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
2.Psychotic depression 
People with psychotic depression may exhibit either hallucinations or delusions 
It is a more different mental disorder because victims have symptoms that reflect irrational levels of despair and negativism, such as profound feelings of hopelessness or being tortured.
 3. Dysthymia / Persistent depressive disorder
Is a less severe depression but can affect someone for a very long time.
Those who suffer from dysthymia are usually able to function normally, but seem consistently unhappy.


How do you know you are likely to be depressed?
• Lack of joy and reduced interest in things that used to bring you happiness such as hanging out with friends.
• Difficulty in sleep (insomnia),  excessive sleep (hypersomnia). Hypersomnia is  evidenced by either prolonged sleep episodes or daytime sleep episodes occurring almost daily.
• Weight loss without dieting.
• Reccurent suicidal thoughts.
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
• Paranoia.
• Impaired ability to think and make decisions.
• Agitation: A lot of worry and anxiety.
If you note that you have been experiencing any of these regularly, it does you no harm to let someone know and eventually seek medical advice. 
Causes of depression 
-Life events: Loss of loved ones, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical issues, or acute stress .
-Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies, or previous life trauma are more susceptible.
-Genetic factors: Having a relative or family member with depression increases the risk.
-Childhood trauma.
-Abuse of recreational drugs: Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression.
-Having had one episode of major depression increases the risk of a subsequent one.
-Chronic pains from diseases like diabetes.


How is depression treated?
Let’s say the first step into treating depression is to accept that you are not fine and you need help. You cannot treat depression on your own. Therefore:
1. Supporting affected ones by discussing practical solutions to contributing stresses and educating family members.
2. Psychotherapy which involves going for talking therapies.
3.Drug treatment by use of antidepressants.


Depression is a terrible mental illness that should be taken with utmost seriousness. 
This information is not only relevant to those affected by depression but everyone for the sake of those affected by the disorder. It is good to know in order to increase your cognition in the event anyone close to you exhibits any of the signs of depression. 
As Mjango said, depression can be avoided when we develop a habit of taking short holidays. This is practically doing things that will get your mind off routine, work and the things that are likely to probe what triggers depression. Treat yourself; make yourself feel special and don’t wait for someone to do that for you. But if you can, surround yourself with people who make you feel special without taking advantage of you. That leads me to saying, make a habit of talking. 
A psychologist said that holding a glass of water on one hand is not heavy. So you can hold it for a minute. But for an hour? It feels heavier. For a day? Your hand will be numb and feel paralysed. That glass of water that’s not heavy is like a thought. The longer you hold it in your mind, the more it weighs down on you. So let it out by talking. 
Finally, in efforts to relieve depression, suicide is not a solution. When a car breaks down, you don’t set fire on it, right? So neither should you set fire upon your own life for a problem, yes it is a problem, but that can be solved. Indluging in alcohol and drugs, inflicting pain on yourself or being reckless with your body don’t go a long way into relieving depression either. The absolute relief is to talk. 
Let’s show people around us that we care. Ask them how they are doing and don’t take a “I’m okay” as the final answer. And let us also allow people to care for us. 
Thank you for your time.” 
Jude is an Information Systems Student in MMUST. Cheers Mjango. 
Ps: If you have a life story or know someone with a life story, send me an email.
And I’m looking for guest writers with a personal touch in their writing for a new category on guest articles like this one. Articles that drive a point or tell a single & unique story. If that’s you, email me as well and we’ll have a chat.