On Saturday SABC1’s Uzalo actress, Thandeka Dawn King admitted that she was diagnosed with depression, has suffered from anxiety and she’s been on medication!
“I know there are a lot of people who suffer from depression and they’re not aware,” Thandeka Dawn King.
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However, during her Instagram Live session, Thandeka Dawn King also cautioned those who were part of the discussion that she was not a “professional” when it comes to the matter and that people should always consult a Psychologist who works together with a Psychiatrist for diagnosis in order to get professional help.
“I am saying this because in the past I was diagnosed with depression and I know why I find myself with a condition like that because it was explained to me,” said Thandeka Dawn King.
She said that a lot of people are panicking and that panic is caused by things such as fake news being spread during the lockdown period and in relation to COCID-19.
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“Everything that is happening now is causing a lot of panic and anxiety and that is why I just thought I should come on this platform and talk about it (depression). I know there are a lot of people who are helpless at this point in time. What I thought was that it would be nice to open up the topic and talk about it,” explained Thandeka Dawn King.
Thandeka Dawn King was discussing (with Ntate Ncala her friend – University Talent Program Manager for Fidelity Investments in Manchester) the importance of spiritual and mental health during COVID-19.
Thandeka Dawn King is best known for her starring role as Lindiwe ‘Mangcobo’ Xulu, the wife of self-made gangster Muzi Xulu, in the SABC1 drama/soapie Uzalo. She also plays MaZ on Showmax’s Lockdown.
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She said that it was not a nice experience at all to find yourself being overwhelmed by anxiety attacks and depression.
“When you have anxiety you feel helpless and sometimes people mistake it with heart conditions because of how hard the heartbeats. You feel like you’re dying,” she shared.
“…again guys I don’t want to sound like I know too much or talk too much from a professional perspective. I am not coming from that angle… I am coming from an angle of someone who has gone through the condition before. I’ve had depression before. I’ve suffered from anxiety because we (people) have a lot of pressures that we go through.
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“Even now people are panicking about losing their jobs and how are they going to take care of their families,” said Thandeka Dawn King.
Thandeka Dawn King also said that other people are in a panic because they are not working during the lockdown and they will not be getting paid at all.
The award-winning actress also spoke about the trauma of losing loved ones that can escalate to anxiety and depression. She also encouraged people to stay at home, wash their hands, and be physically clean.
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Ntate Ncala said the first thing was the acknowledgment that one is suffering from anxiety and depression.
“Find somebody you can talk to, that will not judge you. Find someone you can relate to whether it’s a friend or family,” said Ntate Ncala.
They said in the black community when you suffer from such mental health illnesses people think you’re mad. The duo also encouraged people to open up regardless of the stigmas attached to mental health illness.
Meditation was one of the techniques the two spoke about, such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state mentally.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group is Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group and is committed to quality counseling, outreach, and capacity building work throughout South Africa.
If you are needing a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or support group, please can you call The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on 011 234 4837 or 0800 20 50 26 and speak to a trained counselor who can assist you further.
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