Depression - Overview
No one is exempt
from depression, the ‘common cold’ of psychiatric illness. We all go through it
at some time or the other — each in our own way. Besides, we all react to
life’s innumerable problems differently.
Depression affects
more than 200 million people around the world. In the worst scenario, it can
lead to suicide. Over the world, a million people take this extreme step, every
year.
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 principle causes of disability all over the
world.
·
People with a family history of anxiety, despondency, 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.
Depression can
affect people of all ages and backgrounds; females are twice as likely to suffer
from it as compared to males. The major problem with this condition is that it
often has sub-clinical symptoms, leading it to be under-diagnosed and hence
under-treated.
The condition has a
propensity to worsen as time progresses and it can substantially affect the
functionality of an individual. In the worst scenario, depression can lead to
suicide, which results in the loss of as many as 850,000 lives every year.
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. To know more about types
of depression.
Symptoms of
Depression
Persistent feelings
of sadness, isolation, and frequent spells of crying are some symptoms of
depression. To know more about symptoms.
Homeopathic
Treatment for Depression
Homeopathy is safe
and treats depression without medicinally induced side- effects. It also treats
the root cause of depression, not just the symptoms. To know more about the
benefits of homeopathic medicines.