July 31, (THEWILL) – Depression is real. Unlike in developed countries where people speak out and get help, the situation is different on this side of the globe where people are conditioned to keep their problems to themselves.
Fortunately, the narrative is changing as the afflicted are now speaking out and seeking help. And like the average Nigerian, quite a number of Nigerian celebrities have also battled depression at one time or the other. In the last three weeks, a few of them have shared their stories.
The likes of singer, Omah Lay, actress, Ada Ameh and May Edochie made it known that they had dealt with depression at certain stages of their lives. Some of them were able to overcome it, but not a few others, like the late Nollywood actress, Ada Ameh.
Shade Wesley-Metibogun takes a look at some celebrities who successfully battled depression and those who didn’t.
Betty Irabor
One would think that luxury, success and a life that seems so perfect should exempt media executive, Betty Irabor, from the plague known as depression. She battled the dreaded disorder for eight years. Her case can be attributed to the long hours she had to put in to nurture Genevieve Magazine. She also lost her brother and father along the way and then fell into depression. At one point, many thought she was on a diet after she lost so much weight. She was labeled snobbish and anorexic. She attempted suicide several times, but was fortunate to be saved at every point in time by her husband and loved ones. Betty eventually sought help at the Yaba Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Lagos. She also travelled to Dubai to seek medical help. After she overcame depression, she put her experience in a book titled Dust to Dew.
May Edochie
May Edochie, the beautiful wife of actor Yul Edochie, battled with depression after her husband took a second wife, actress Judy Austin Muoghalu, and welcomed a son with her. Having spent 18 years as Yul’s wife, depression was inevitable for May. She married him when she was just 22 years-old. The duo attended the University of Port-Harcourt together. She was only able to get over depression when her family and friends rallied round her as well as her resolve to chart a positive course for herself.
Halima Abubakar
The entrepreneur cum actress who has been in the news all week for admitting to an affair with Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Power Ministries, fought depression for seven months after ending her relationship with her then boyfriend. Her case was further compounded because of the negative way she was portrayed in the media. She was also broke at the time and she had many responsibilities to shoulder.
Halima claimed people lied against her, told lies in her name and was also deceived by those she loved. These led to her slipping into depression. She constantly battled migraines and sleepless nights. At some point, she attempted suicide because she had nobody to run to for help. She eventually sought help and was on medication for a while before she could overcome depression.
TeeBillz
Singer Tiwa Savage’s ex-husband, Tunji Balogun, otherwise known as TeeBillz, battled depression in 2016 after his marriage to Tiwa crashed. He also attempted suicide. It started with him ranting about his wife and her mother. He revealed that his wife cheated on him and accused his mother-in-law of being diabolical. He stopped talking to people and took solace in alcohol. To crown it all, he attempted jumping into the Lagos Lagoon but was fortunately rescued by some of his friends. In 2018, he began to see a therapist and was able to overcome the ordeal. Teebillz lives happily in Los-Angeles, California with his lover and welcomed a baby with her a few months ago.
Tonto Dikeh
The running mate to Tonte Ibraye, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fell into depression in 2013, but she didn’t open up about it until seven years later. She attributed this to her troubled career. Many producers complained of her rudeness on movie sets, she fought with some of her colleagues such as veterans Ngozi Ezeonu, Kenneth Okonkwo and called out Mercy Johnson after she returned to movie set a few weeks after giving birth to her first child. Dikeh was blacklisted and many producers avoided her. Some of her friends also started avoiding her because of her erratic behavior. It got so bad that she almost committed suicide at a point, but she was rescued by Michael Ajereh, also known as Don Jazzy and Tunji Balogun, aka TeeBillz. She had to undergo therapy in order to overcome her depression.She later set up the Tonto Dikeh Foundation to help those who are fighting depression so that they can conquer the plague.
Harrisong
Many did not believe that Harrison Tare Okiri, also known as Harrysong, battled depression, judging by his successful career and the number of hit songs he has churned out over the years. However, in 2018, the singer cried out on social media with a cryptic message about dying and the way he should be remembered. He revealed that his family and friends should not cry after his death because he had done his best, but they should celebrate and stage a concert in his honour.
His management had to issue a press release to notify his fans that their idol was battling depression. A few days after his outburst, he gave his fans an update about his condition, while revealing that he sought help from a therapist.
Eniola Badmus
Actress Eniola Badmus also has her share of depression stories to tell. Gbogbo Bigz girls, as she is fondly called, fought depression as a result of her stature, as a plus sized lady. She was often body shamed and rejected for some roles in the movie industry. She once opened up to a friend who also joined in gossiping about her mental health instead of helping her. The actress had to fight so hard to lose weight and disgrace those who had been body shaming her. Funny enough, those who were trolling her when she was voluptuous are the ones hailing her new look after she shed the excess fat.
Ada Ameh
The actress unfortunately passed on after a prolonged battle with depression. She had some ugly and unpalatable experiences that she couldn’t deal with and these eventually led to her death. She lost her only daughter, Aladi Godgift whom she had when she was a teenager. She also lost six of her siblings and her father. She was warring against all the forces that contributed to her depression when she was slammed with a suit for not executing a job she was given. The actress was in and out of hospital for a long time before she slumped and died in Warri, Delta State while visiting a couple on Sunday, July 17, 2022.
EVA ALORDIAH
Elohor Ava Alordiah, better known as Eva Alordiah, had to give up her vibrant music career because of depression. She recounted her struggle with it and how she was able to overcome it in the end. Things were working so well for the artiste until she fell into depression after she became broke. She got lost and couldn’t separate her alter ego from her identity. Every criticism and failure that Eva got in the course of her career got to her. She also realized that she had been living a lie and lost touch with reality.
She had to quit music for a period of five years and tried to discover herself. She had to prove to herself that she would be able to live without depending on her music, fame and whatever she was identified with. She later learnt how to make money online and became a content creator, earning N17 million within nine months of starting her journey as a content creator. She built an app, Kobocourse.com where coaches can upload and sell their courses online. She also returned to music but now does it at her leisure.
Chimamanda Adichie
The renowned author whose thoughts and creative prowess has been applauded over the years has also been a victim of depression. She first made her struggle known in an article in the UK Guardian. For her, it usually starts with a pimple or a feeling of heaviness which leads to pain. She had to seek medical help and it was in the process that she was diagnosed. She signed up for counseling until she was free from it.
Toyin Abraham
Talented thespian, Toyin Abraham might be living a fulfilled and happy life, but she has contended with depression and this was after her first marriage with colleague, Adeniyi Johnson crashed. She fell into depression and became addicted to drugs. Her management ensured that she sought help and was able to overcome the plague.
Nomoreloss
Singer Adeyemi Olumuyiwa Osinuga, more popularly known as Nomoreloss, battled depression till he breathed his last in 2016. He was a force to reckon with in the music world. At one point, he ventured into the broadcast industry as a radio and television host. Things suddenly nosedived for him and his wife of many years deserted him. He fell into depression after that and battled ill health until his death. He had to relocate to his brother’s house but unfortunately left when his brother’s wife couldn’t tolerate his stay. He was down with malaria and typhoid for a while but close sources revealed that he committed suicide to end his pain. He was deserted by friends who were supposedly close to him when the going was good.
Yomi Makun
Gifted designer, Yomi Makun, otherwise known as Yomi Casual, has it all; a vibrant and successful career, beautiful wife and children, a garage filled with the latest automobiles. However, at a point in his life, he felt his complexion was just too dark. He slipped into depression because of that. The designer tried all he could to tone up his complexion but in vain. He was able to overcome his depression after he realised that the colour of his skin was unique. He became an advocate of the black skin colour after his ordeal.
Toke Makinwa
Reality show host, Toke Makinwa, appears to be a strong woman who has everything put together, but she once battled depression. In an emotional post, she revealed how the devil targeted her mind and how she was living in constant fear and doubt which later turned to depression. It got worse after her marriage to her fitness expert husband, Maje Ayida, crumbled. She plunged further into depression and became suicidal. She was sitting in her bedroom one day when the thought of drinking Dettol came to her mind. She wanted to yield to the thought and end it all so that she wouldn’t have to face the shame and ridicule of what happened in her marriage. She had to seek help to overcome the feelings and got back on the right path.
Moyo Lawal
Well-endowed actress, Moyo Lawal, also battled depression at a certain stage in her life. She took a break from her career in 2017 as a result of that and also left social media until she was able to overcome her pitiful state. She later shared her journey with her fans where she revealed that she had been living in a body fighting to survive with a mind that was trying to die. But she revealed that she wasn’t suicidal and was able to get back on her feet again with the help and support she got from her family and friends. However, she didn’t reveal why she was depressed.
Osikhena Dirisu
Broadcaster Osikhena Dirisu, more popularly known as Osi Suave, battled depression for a very long time and also attempted suicide three times. He once revealed that his jovial personality is one of the strategies he uses to keep depressive thoughts away. He was able to open up about his plight after news of a man who wanted to jump into the lagoon went viral. In an open letter to his future girlfriend, which he wrote in 2016, he revealed that he battled clinical depression for a long time. It often starts with mood swings and the feeling of irritation at the slightest touch from someone. He however had to develop ways to cope with his constant depressive personality by speaking out and finding a reason to stay alive. To him, most people don’t open up about their mental state because they are usually ridiculed and laughed at.
Julius Agwu
Humour merchant, Julius Agwu, battled depression in 2015 after it was discovered that he had three tumours in his brain. The comedian, who is one of the most successful men in the entertainment industry, became a shadow of himself. He attempted suicide when his family was not at home one day, but he was later rescued. He had parked all the important documents of his assets and given them to his wife with the hope of ending it all.
Agwu later went for surgery at Park Plaza Hospital in Houston, Texas, United State of America. Doctors battled to save his life in a surgery that lasted four hours. At a point, he was pronounced dead and was packed to be moved to the morgue, but God miraculously restored him and he was able to live a normal life afterwards.
Ubi Franklin
Ubi Ekapong Ofem, popularly known as Ubi Franklin, fell into depression in 2016 after his marriage to Nollywood actress, Lillian Esoro, fell apart not too long after they both walked down the aisle. He battled the feeling for almost a year and almost ended his own life. He lost appetite and struggled with insomnia for a long time. He became a shadow of himself and kept his friends and family worried about his welfare. He became a constant visitor to the hospital where he was treated for different ailments almost every week. He would show up every day looking lost and drained, but he kept pretending in public as if everything was okay. He tried to cover up with material possession and got himself a car of his dreams worth millions of naira, but he still wasn’t fulfilled. Deep down within him, he continued battling his bouts of depression. He planned to end it all one day as thoughts of depression filled his mind but the picture of his son, Jayden, who was born the same year, kept him from committing suicide. He was able to overcome depression with the help of his pastor.
Stanley Omah Didia
Singer Stanley Omah Didia, also known as Omah Lay, has churned out hit songs in the course of his career, but his latest album, Boy Alone, got him depressed. He even went as far as contemplating suicide in June while working on some of the songs. After the album was released, he opened up about his ordeal and promised that it was the last time he would ever cry because of a song.
He felt insecure, scared, depressed and was losing his mind because people who used to believe in him stopped showing him love. He was also dumped by his girlfriend at that time. To make his case worse, after he started therapy, he slept with his therapist. He is on a journey to recovery.
Modupe Oreoluwa Olateru-Olagbegi
Singer turned digital content creator, Modupe Oreoluwa Olateru-Olagbegi, otherwise known as Mo’cheddah, went through depression due to the hostility and hate she experienced in the music industry. It was one of the reasons she had to quit music and venture into digital content creation.
Mo’cheddah grew up in a God-fearing family and started music when she was 16 years-old. She found herself in an adult world and had to battle to stay afloat despite the attacks and criticism she received. The industry was very hostile to her because many adults felt threatened by her talent. She would be performing and someone would just turn-off the microphone just because an A-list artiste doesn’t like her. As a teenage girl, she couldn’t cope with the pressure and the demands of stardom and she lost her identity along the way. She had to fight a legal battle with her record label when she was 21 years-old. After her exit from the record label, she tried to stand on her own, but she was bad-mouthed and blacklisted and nobody wanted to work with her. She slipped into depression and almost jumped into the lagoon, but her friends and family helped her to get over it and she started out anew again.
Depression in Brief
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that were formerly considered pleasurable, lack of concentration, memory problems, inability to make decisions, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, constant worry and anxiety and in extreme cases, thoughts of death, self-harm or suicide. It generally affects how one thinks, feels, behaves. According to Dr Martins Osamagbe Ihowa of Samas Hospital, Lagos, how people go through depression differs from one person to the other. While some of these feelings usually fade away within a few days or weeks, depending on the circumstances, some are more intense and can last for more than two weeks, extending to years. What this therefore means is that there are different types of depression with peculiar treatments.
Types of depression
Persistent depression lasts for many years at a time. People with this type of depression may start to feel like their symptoms are just part of their normal outlook on life.
Bipolar disorder means one minute you are happy and the next you are experiencing a negative or sad mood swing. It also involves hallucinations and delusions.
Depressive psychosis involves hallucinations and delusions including physical symptoms.
Postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or within weeks of childbirth.
Seasonal depression occurs with specific patterns only at certain seasons.
Situational depression is brought on by specific events or situations that causes deep emotional pain.
Causes of depression
According to Dr Wasiu Badru, a psychologist at Yaba Hospital, Lagos, the causes of depression could be as a result of neurochemical imbalance in the brain, genetic or negative and stressful life events. These will disturb the ways the person thinks and acts and it will fuel more negative experiences.
Treatment for depression
If deemed to be chemical imbalance in the brain, antidepressants will be used.
When related to life circumstances, psychological treatment, that is therapy, may be of more use in addition to the antidepressants.
Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure done using electric currents for very severe cases.
Tips on how to personally overcome depression
•Exercise – Take a 15-30 minutes brisk walk every day, it will lead to improvement in mild to moderate depression
•Make out time for fun
•Challenge negative thoughts
•Regularly eat wholesome food
•Get adequate sleep
•Drink plenty of water – It will remove toxins, improve the function of internal organs and enhance clear thinking.
•Change your routine.
Additional information by Ivory Ukonu.
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