Key Facts:
- Depression is a prevalent mental health condition.
- Approximately 5% of adults worldwide are affected by depression.
- Women are more frequently impacted by depression than men.
- Depression can increase the risk of suicide.
- Effective treatments are available for depression, whether mild, moderate, or severe.
Overview:
Depressive disorder, commonly known as depression, is a widespread mental health issue characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, and a prolonged loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Depression differs from the usual mood changes that occur in response to daily life events. It can significantly affect various aspects of a person’s life, including relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Depression may also contribute to or result from difficulties in academic or professional settings.
Anyone can develop depression, but individuals who have suffered from abuse, traumatic losses, or other stressful events are at a higher risk. Depression is notably more common in women than in men.
Globally, it is estimated that 3.8% of the population experiences depression, including 5% of adults (with 4% of men and 6% of women affected) and 5.7% of individuals over 60 years old. Around 280 million people are affected by depression worldwide. Women are 50% more likely than men to experience depression. Additionally, more than 10% of pregnant women and those who have recently given birth suffer from depression. Each year, over 700,000 people die by suicide, making it the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29.
Despite the availability of effective treatments, more than 75% of individuals in low- and middle-income countries do not receive the necessary care for mental disorders. Barriers to effective treatment include a lack of resources, insufficient investment in mental health services, a shortage of trained healthcare providers, and the social stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
Symptoms and Typology:
A depressive episode is marked by a persistently depressed mood, often characterized by feelings of sadness, emptiness, and irritability, sometimes coupled with a loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
It is essential to distinguish a depressive episode from ordinary mood fluctuations. In a depressive episode, the depressed mood persists for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
Additional symptoms may include:
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Feelings of excessive guilt or low self-esteem.
- Hopelessness about the future.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Changes in appetite or weight.
- Severe fatigue or loss of energy.
Depression can create challenges in all areas of life, affecting relationships, family dynamics, and professional or academic performance.
Depressive episodes can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number and intensity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.
There are several types of depressive disorders:
- Single-episode depressive disorder: The individual experiences their first and only depressive episode.
- Recurrent depressive disorder: The individual has experienced at least two depressive episodes.
- Bipolar disorder: Characterized by alternating episodes of depression and periods marked by manic symptoms, such as euphoria or irritability, increased energy, rapid speech, heightened self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive behavior.
Contributing Factors and Prevention:
Depression arises from a complex interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. Individuals who have faced hardships, such as unemployment, bereavement, or trauma, are more likely to develop depression. Depression can further exacerbate stress and dysfunction, worsening the condition and creating a cycle of increasing depression.
Depression is closely linked to physical health, as many factors contributing to depression, such as physical inactivity or harmful alcohol use, are also risk factors for conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory disorders. Additionally, individuals with these health conditions may experience depression due to the challenges associated with managing their illness.
Prevention programs for depression have proven effective. Community-based approaches include school programs designed to build positive coping skills in children and adolescents. Interventions for parents of children with behavioral issues can alleviate depressive symptoms in parents and positively impact their children. Physical exercise programs for older adults have also been shown to effectively prevent depression.
