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Depression Enlightened
By peace | December 5, 2006
Depression is more than just being sad; it is an unshakeable feeling of despair.
Depression is the most common serious mental illness. Around five per cent of the population suffer from a depressive episode at sometime in their lives that is severe enought to require depression treatment. Although depression can occur at any age, it is most common between the ages of 35 and 55 in women and 10 years later in men.
Who are the sufferers?
Women appear to be more prone to depression than men. One in six women seeks help compared to only one in nine men. It is not known if this is due to differences between the sexes. Women may just be more willing to admit their feelings of sadness to a doctor, while men may turn to alcohol, violence or some other means of expressing their feelings of despair.
Types Of Depression
There are two basic categories of depression.
1. Exogenous or reactive depression is caused by a major upset in your life, such as divorce or bereavement. This form of depression only becomes an illness when the period of grief is excessive or prolonged, making the person disinterested in life and unable to cope with daily activities.
2. Endogenous depression, where the symptoms of misery and feelings of helplessness are not linked to any external event, is more common. There is no ready explanation for the depression, so friends and relatives often find it harder to offer help and sympathy.
3. Winter Depression
Seasonal affective disorder syndrome (SADS) is a type of depression. Sufferers become depressed each winter due to diminished light exposure. Exposure to bright light for two hours each morning during winter may relieve symptoms.
4. Postnatal Depression
Over half of all mothers go through a period of mild depression after their baby is born. Known as ‘baby blues’, this depression causes women to feel miserable and emotional and have tearful outbursts. Symptoms typically appear between four and five days after the birth and usually only last for a day or two. Hormonal changes may be the cause, but other factors can also be responsible, such as a sense of anticlimax after all the anticipation and apprehension; minor worries, such as early feeding difficulties; and physical exhaustion.
Depression Checklist
If you develop several of the following symptoms you may be suffering from depression:
- Early morning wakening
- Being tearful
- Lack of energy
- Bingeing or loss of appetite
- Feeling isolated and disconnected from the world
- Becoming withdrawn and apathetic
- Having a lot of unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling worthless
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Losing interest in sexual activity
Depression Help
Most people who suffer from depression will recover completely if they receive appropriate help.
- Plenty of support. Reassurance from friends and family is essential
- Drugs For Depression — Antidepressants. These drugs restore appetite, energy, and sleep patterns. They take over two weeks to start working, however, and can cause dizziness or drowsiness
- Psychotherapy. This treatment is most helpful for people whose personality or life expereiences are the main causes of their depression
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy. This tehrapy teaches positive thinking to enhance self-esteem
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Sufferers who do no trespond to other treatments may have an electric shock passed throught ht ebrain for a few seconds. Dramatic improvements do occur and side effects are minimal.
Depression Statistics
- Depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting 340 million people in the world today, accounting for a full 10% of productive years lost throughout the world. No one is immune from depression - it occurs in people of all social classes, all countries and all cultural settings.
- One in four women and one in ten men can expect to develop depression during their lifetime, but it’s not just adults who suffer,
- Depression affects at least one in 50 children under 12 and one in 20 teenagers. About half of all cases of depression is unrecognised and untreated.
- About 10-15 per cent of depressed people take their own lives. ( Suicide - Of major concern is the increase in suicide rates worldwide, and the connection to depression. It should be noted though that whilst most people who have committed suicide felt depressed; not everyone who is depressed attempts suicide.)
- Depression costs for example the United States an estimated $53 billion each year.
- The World Health Organisation predicts that by the year 2020 depression will be the greatest burden of ill-health to people in the developing world, and that by then severe depression will be the second largest cause of death and disability.
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