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ePaper created 2018-02-16, 11:39:59 | version 1.38.0
NOVEMBER2017 Depression And Dentistry Are They Really Related ? According to the World Health Organization, depression is a common illness worldwide. It is said to be different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life that may become a serious health condition especially when it is long-lasting and with moderate to severe intensity. Physical suffering and poor function in their everyday lives may also be noted among affected people. Depression may also lead to suicide at its worst. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it results from multifaceted factors including the social, biological, and psychological areas of a person’s life. Depression may be experienced in conjunction with a serious medical illness, after a traumatic experience, or after major life changes. People experiencing depression may often feel consumed by sadness and loneliness for reasons that cannot be fully concretized. Another facet to be considered is a syndrome called burnout. Burnout was coined by an American psychologist named Herbert Freudenberger, describing it as the consequence of severe stress and high ideals in helping professions. As there is no clear definition of what burnout truly is, and what its criteria are, obtaining clear figures on its incidence cannot be fully characterized. While symptoms such as extreme exhaustion, reduced performance, and feelings of sadness that are typical for burnout also occur in depression, depression should be considered once symptoms such as low self-esteem, hopelessness, and suicidal tendencies are noted. As dentists and dental students tend to work in a high-risk field wherein emotions can be changed in an instant, they may be quite vulnerable to burnout and depression. Dentistry students in particular, are at critical positions that pose increased risk to burnout and depression. This may be due to the stress of academic and clinical workload, coupled with performance pressure, and impaired ability to cope with stresses of school and personal life. A study conducted in Spain, published in 2013, entitled Burnout, depression and suicidal ideation in dental students (Galan, et al)1, yielded results which found a strong association between burnout and depression, and between depression and suicidal ideation; and according to a study conducted in Jordan, published in 2009, entitled Burnout Among the Clinical Dental Students in the Jordanian Universities, states that depersonalization, which is marked by feelings of disconnection or detachment from one’s own body and thoughts, may be the most critical aspect of burnout in a health care profession like dentistry2. A Turkish study published in 2016 also reports 29% of dentists showing symptoms of burnout. These statistics show that depression occurs in dental professionals owing to the reasons mentioned above. Although there is no certain way to fully prevent depression and burnout, measures to reduce depression may be taken on. Creating and raising awareness about burnout are important to avoid and prevent depression among dentists. Strategies such as stress- management practices, improving relationships with family and friends, and seeking medical attention at the earliest indication of a problem, may prove to be helpful. Should an individual come across a friend, a schoolmate, or a colleague exhibiting signs of burnout or depression, it is of great importance to be there to listen to them talk about how they are doing, to take their feelings seriously, and encourage them to get help. While depression can feel like a lonely battle, it doesn’t have to be. It takes efforts of togetherness to get through a difficult situation such as this. We need to inspire each other to keep fighting and to stick around in order to see the rainbow after the storm. Depression is a real condition, and it takes effort to get through it. The battle will be hard to fight, but it will always be worth fighting for, because despite the lows, life is beautiful, if one taps on it with a positive mindset. References: 1. Galán F, Ríos-Santos J V, Polo J, Rios-Carrasco B, & Bullón P (2014). Burnout, depression and suicidal ideation in dental students. Medicina Oral, Patología Oral Y Cirugía Bucal, 19(3), e206–e211. 2. Amin W M, Al-Ali M H, Duaibis R B, Oweis T, & Badran D H (2009). Burnout among the Clinical Dental Students in the Jordanian Universities. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 1(4), 207–211. Jordanian Article 3. Huri M, Bagis N, Eren H, Umaroglu M, Orhan K. (2016). Association between burnout and despressive symptoms amongst Turkish dentists. Journal of Dental Sciences, 11(4), 353-359. By Amna Fakhar - Angelou Honrado. 5