Facts
- Depression is a major public health concern. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds; women are twice as likely to suffer from it as compared to men.
- Depression does not affect the individual alone; it has repercussions on one’s family, friends, as well as work.
- There are costs involved in terms of lost productivity and absenteeism from work, due to depression and depressive states.
- Depression is one of the principal causes of disability all over the world.
- People with a family history of affective, depressive, or bipolar disorder, or having alcohol or drug abuse problems, are more likely to develop the problem.
- The condition also has a propensity to worsen as time progresses. It can substantially affect the individual’s life at home and in social circles.
What is depression?
In simplified words, depression can be defined as sadness or grief that persists for an excessively long duration as compared to normal and significantly impairs the normal functioning of an individual.
On account of millions of people being affected by depression worldwide, it is a huge public health problem. It is especially important to diagnose it and treat it in time, because it affects not only the patient but his entire family as well as his work.
Types of Depression
Situational depression occurs after certain traumatic events take place, like divorce, retirement, loss of a job, or the death of a relative or close friend. Another form of depression is hormonal depression, where biological and hormonal changes cause depression. It is mostly seen in women.
Symptoms of Depression
- Feelings of sadness
- Isolation
- Frequent spells of crying
Treatment for Depression
The treatment for depression includes both medically induced and side-effects. It also treats the root cause of the depression and makes sure that the problem does not affect the individual again in the future.