Depression and a lack of interest can be a recurring factor in anybody's life if proper counselling is not done at the right time. Women might be more prone to this state of distress, lack of concern or, indifference, but men can also experience marked depression to the point of shedding tears. It is, therefore, not true that depression is limited to only women. Men usually experience depression when they have problems, especially when their businesses are not yielding the desired result or they are sick and hospitalised. These are problems-oriented and come about as a result of disaster or crisis in men, unlike in women. The problem of depression looks different in women, because it might not be only crisis-oriented, but could be due to unidentifiable feeling of discouragement or low self-esteem. A woman might get up in the morning and have a complete change of mood without knowing the cause. This is particularly associated with those who are vulnerable to depression. Women have peculiar problems throughout the month, mainly due to the secretion or release of the female hormones, but this is another problem probably different from the vague and generalised discomfort that they experience in normal depression. Amina and the singing group Amina went to the National Theatre to watch a singing group. The singing was perfect and the whole room vibrated with the music. It was so exciting that Amina spontaneously started dancing, waving her handkerchief. Some other individuals followed her and there was total happiness and joy. Amina led the few individuals with her to the front row, and the dignitaries at the front row rather concentrated on her and her followers, instead of the singing group. Few minutes after dancing, Amina sat down quietly and the friends wondered what could have gone wrong after the excitement. She was not agitated or annoyed, but her mood changed and her remarks to the friends were simply "yes or no". State of depression Depression can result from the cyclical nature of emotions in both men and women. It is also in natural law that high mood is usually followed by low mood changes. There are regular fluctuations in life, ranging from high enthusiasm to depth of misery or gloominess. This feeling of sadness or happi¬ness might be the same at the end of the day, but it could go overboard in some individuals. Amina's behaviour might look strange, but she has a problem or she might be reflecting on a hidden problem in her subconscious mind. Many people quickly think of drugs or antidepressants to solve such mild problems, but we should rather be thinking of counselling and giving words of encouragement. If one understands the problems, then one can be in the position to solve them. Akweley and Amina Akweley's friend is Amina, but the two are completely different in reacting to good or bad news. Unlike Amina, Akweley doesn't get too excited about anything at all. She would not cheer on a singing group heartily or laugh out of proportion to what is expected. She might only smile at what Amina would energetically laugh at. Akweley is never discouraged, and you can count on her, because she would be consistent in whatever she is doing. Last Christmas will be much like two years ago, and would not change next year. Which of these characters would you want to belong? If it is Amina's character, then you would enjoy extreme happiness, but crash heavily at the least provocation. On the other hand, if you were Akweley, then your mood changes could be predicted easily. Simply put, Amina and Akweley, must be very good friends because one would be a bore, while the other would make life interesting and always searching for happiness. Depression in women varies and it is helpful to appreciate the nature of emotional rhythm and pattern in them. Anything done with extreme happiness is likely to be followed by sadness, if not well ccntrolled. Frankly, many people with predisposition to depression consume a lot of energy when happy, and this might be followed by exhaustion and tiredness, leading to depression. The good news is that in healthy people, low morale usually gives way to high morale, and if you and the people around you understand your depressive mood changes to be a relatively predictable occurrence, then it will be easily tolerated. Source: Prof. E. Y. Kwawukume is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and the Chief Executive of Women's Health Foundation-Ghana/The Mirror.