Key Facts
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| Lonely girl |
1. Depression is a common mental disorder.
2. Globally, an estimated 5% of adults suffer from depression.
3. More women are affected by depression than men.
4. Depression can lead to suicide.
5. There is effective treatment for mild, moderate and severe depression.
Overview
Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time.
Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work.
Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression. Women are more likely to have depression than men.
Symptoms and Patterns
During a depressive episode, a person experiences a depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty).
A depressive episode is different from regular mood fluctuations.
Other symptoms are also present, which may include:
1. poor concentration
2. feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth
3. hopelessness about the future
Contributing Factors and Prevention
Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression.
Effective community approaches to prevent depression include school-based programmes to enhance a pattern of positive coping in children and adolescents. Interventions for parents of children with behavioural problems may reduce parental depressive symptoms and improve outcomes for their children.
Diagnosis and Treatment
There are effective treatments for depression. These include psychological treatment and medications. Seek care if you have symptoms of depression.
Psychological treatments are the first treatments for depression. They can be combined with antidepressant medications in moderate and severe depression.
Psychological treatments can teach new ways of thinking, coping or relating to others. They may include talk therapy with professionals and supervised lay therapists.
Self-care
What you can do:
1. try to keep doing activities you used to enjoy
2. stay connected to friends and family
3. exercise regularly, even if it’s just a short walk
4. talk to someone you trust about your feelings
Credit: World Health Organisation (WHO)
Full article plus WHO response HERE
