Isimbi recalls this year’s start off with a darkness that overshadowed her life. She went through a phase that was so painful that she wasn’t sure how it even started in the first place.

Nothing in her life was exciting anymore, she felt unloved and unworthy to the point of questioning her existence. She was depressed and less concerned of what the present or the future cared to present. She wanted out.

After a long struggle, she managed to confide in a friend, and along with additional support, she started getting her life back. 

Some people choose to use the word depression to describe a bad day, or being emotionally drained, but the real sense of it is much more than words can explain.

American Psychiatric Association describes depression (major depressive disorder) as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. 

Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.

According to counsellor Devotha Wihogora, for one to know that they could be suffering from depression, they can look out for signs such as weight loss or gain, loss of interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed, feelings of worthlessness or fatigue, among others.

She also adds that a person can feel excessively guilty, feel sad or empty and can also experience aches and pains all over the body.

"People suffering from depression tend to also be affected by insomnia or lack of sleep, fatigue and lack of energy, anger and irritability, and can also have thoughts of death or suicide,” she says.

These must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression.

Davis Manzi, a marketing agent, says he once went through a depressing state and that it was one of his worst experiences in life.

At the time, he says, he had spent over two years unemployed yet most of his colleagues had well-paying jobs.

He was sad, felt hopeless and nothing mattered as far as he was concerned. 

"I went from being sad all the time to hating life altogether. But when it came to the worst, I resorted to fasting and prayer and after some time I started healing. I also read books that encouraged me to see the positive in life, that’s how I overcame,” he narrates.

How to beat depression 

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. A number of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment, and almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

Experts say the need to seek professional help. Because depression is a serious mood disorder, it has the ability to affect how you think, feel and interact with others and how you handle yourself.

This is why it is very important to go for therapy before the situation reaches the extent of requiring medication.

It is also recommended to stay socially active regardless of how hard that might be for you.

People who suffer from depression are also recommended to endeavour making changes in their lifestyle. Breaking routine and trying out new activities can be very helpful in terms of beating depression. 

It is also advisable to eat healthy foods and avoid alcohol and illicit drugs, which can worsen depression. And to also surround yourself with friends and loved ones because being with others when dealing with depression can do a lot in reducing a sense of isolation.