Dr Kenneth Uwaje, a resident psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Many depressed people in Nigeria are not seeking medical help due to misunderstanding, poor education and stigma.
Studies show that 14 per cent, which translates to about 22 million people, are clinically depressed in the country, according to him.
“However, these people rarely seek medical help; this is founded on misunderstanding, poor education, and predominantly stigma.
“People know that they feel sad, bad, tired for no apparent reason, and they do not enjoy what they used to enjoy.
“They have negative thoughts of the past, present and future, and they begin to feel hopeless, helpless and sometimes worthless, even to the point where they contemplate taking their lives,” the psychiatrist said.
If depression is not treated it could lead from moderate to severe depression with psychotic symptoms, according to the expert.
These symptoms are associated with bizarre episodes, including hearing strange voices and seeing faces; and it can lead to suicide.
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