By Vanessa Kyalimpa
After years of dealing with depression and social anxiety, I had finally found my way out. I had gone from being the most reclusive person one could ever meet to being the most jovial girl in the room.
Unlike the past, where I had found peace in solitude, that was not me anymore. I had emerged from my cocoon, from a world I had been familiar with for a long time. I adored being new. This was the happiest I had ever been in my life. But my seemingly idyllic existence ended sooner than I had anticipated.
After a weekend trip to Jinja with some of my friends, my life changed. not to someplace new, but rather to a place I was already familiar with. A day after I had returned, my friend sent me a picture that had been taken when I was on that trip.
“Your photo is trending on Twitter. “Apparently you are a meme,” he said, but I never took him seriously. I thought he was joking, like he always does.
The following morning, I woke up to a couple of messages on WhatsApp discussing my picture. Most of my contacts had shared it in their status updates. I quickly logged into Twitter and started reading the responses.
I couldn’t believe what was being said about me. All the confidence I had started building was shattered in that moment. I was back in the same hole I had struggled to get out of, and this time around, I didn’t know if I would ever be myself on social media.
Cyberbullying continues to be one of the leading causes of mental health problems among young people, especially with the increased usage of social media. Cyberbullying is the act of harassing, threatening, and embarrassing another person online.
Irene Nabwire, a counselor working with the Ruth Nkoyoyo Wellness Center, said that cyberbullying can cause depression, social isolation, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.
“Whenever you feel depressed or you are going through tough times that tamper with your mental health, it is wise that you see a counselor so they can help you get out of that situation,” Nabwire said.
So, how does one know that they are depressed? In most cases, sadness is mistaken for depression. But Nabwire says, “In cases where one has lost a loved one or gets stressed at work or school, if you cannot cope with the daily stresses of life, then you might be depressed.”
Depression is a mental health condition that is marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities. It is also characterized by suicidal thoughts, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, exhaustion or a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
Although depression is complicated and multifaceted, it is treatable through psychotherapy. One can speak with a mental health expert such as a therapist or counselor who can assist in understanding and controlling one’s thoughts and feelings.
Other methods of treatment include exercising to improve mood, avoiding drugs and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking antidepressants as directed by a healthcare professional.
“It is crucial to remember that recovering from depression is feasible.” But it frequently involves a combination of therapy and patience. “It is also crucial to work with a specialist who can help you develop a tailored treatment plan,” Nabwire said.
