More Pinoys suffer depression due to poverty, OFW parents, disasters

More Filipinos are suffering from depression due to intense longing for loved ones working overseas or to feelings of helplessness in the face of natural and man-made disasters, experts said yesterday.

Dr. Felicitas Soriano, president of the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), said the widespread phenomenon of Filipino parents working abroad is taking a heavy toll on the mental health of their children.

“If you are left behind by your mother or your father who is an OFW, you sometimes get lonely. You long for the affection and presence of your parents. Sometimes, that can lead to depression,” Soriano said in an interview after a health forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians and Zuellig Foundation. She said substance abuse is also a major cause of depression.

She estimated that three out of every 100 Filipinos suffer from depression. The figure does not include those who are not aware of their condition or those who are aware but don’t seek professional help.

Soriano also attributed to depression the rising number of obese and overweight Filipinos.

PPA treasurer Dr. Antonio Sison explained that there is a correlation between depression and obesity.

“Sometimes, when you are depressed, your appetite increases so you eat a lot. You don’t notice that you’re already gaining weight, that you are becoming obese. But in some cases, depression can cause you to lose your appetite. It really depends on the person,” Sison said.

He advises obese individuals to modify their lifestyles to ward off complications like diabetes and hypertension.