Depression is like a ticking time bomb

SHAH ALAM - Those suffering depression risk facing psychosis and delusions similar to a ticking time bomb that could affect their lives as well as others around them.

Malaysia Mental Health Association president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj explained psychosis is a symptom that can cause a person to see, hear or misinterpret something differently.

"Individuals suffering severe depression could hear voices through hallucinations ordering them to kill themselves or others. The plans could involve murdering others before themselves.

"Delusions happen when a person has an absurd or clearly untrue belief such as being possessed and (must) be killed,” he told Sinar on Monday.

Andrew explained severe depression required a complete psychiatric evaluation and could not be treated through medications and psychotherapy.

He explained the tests were important to ensure whether a murder motif was caused by an insane mind or the usage of narcotics, tumour, brain damage or other diseases.

"Close families must be given mental health support to aid their psychological trauma,” he said.

Universiti Malaya (UM) Arts and Social Sciences Faculty lecturer and psychology field researcher Associate Professor Dr Mohd Awang Idris said most people suffering depression notice negative aspects including towards self-worth and the loss of hope as if shouldering unending life burdens.

"Those with depression would usually end in aggressive actions whether it is sabotaging themselves or others, it could be suicide or hurting those close to them.

"In the early stages it could be identified through changes in behaviour (from) being sociable to isolating themselves eventually leading to those suffering hallucinations and conversing with themselves.

"Families or friends must understand the changes and that they are not different human beings,” he said.