About Depression
Depression is a treatable illness that may involve an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Although depression can run in families, the direct causes of the illness are unclear. There is evidence to suggest that traumatic events, chronic stress, hormonal changes, or the presence of medical illness, psychiatric illness, substance abuse, or sleep disorders may contribute to the development of depression. Depression is associated with significant suffering, morbidity, mortality, and psychosocial functional impairment.
Patients who suffer from depressive disorders typically present with a constellation of psychological, behavioral, and physical symptoms. Feeling sad or blue (depressed mood) and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities are the two key features of depression. Both can be present at the same time, but at least one of them is needed to define depression, if a certain number of other symptoms are present. The number of symptoms, the duration of symptoms as well as the degree of functional impairment are essential to distinguish depression from a normal fluctuation in mood. These accompanying symptoms include sleep abnormalities, loss of energy, loss or increase of either appetite or weight, diminished ability to think or concentrate, feeling physically restless or slowed down, thoughts of worthlessness, hopelessness, or excessive guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. A total of five of the above symptoms must be present for at least two weeks (at least one of them being sadness or loss of interest or pleasure) in order for a physician to make the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In addition, depressed patients often complain of excessive worries, irritability or unexplained aches and pains.
Major depressive disorder (MDD), the most common form of depression, is fairly prevalent in the general population. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the rate of MDD in the general population at any given point in time ranges from 2.3% to 4.9%. Furthermore, approximately 13-17% of individuals living in the U.S. or Western Europe may develop depression at some point during their lifetime. In addition, while in the general population suicides account for about 0.9% of all deaths, about one in five patients with recurrrent depression disorders attempt suicide at some point in their lives. In fact, two thirds of individuals who have attempted suicide were found to suffer from depression.
What to do?
If you suspect you may be suffering from depression, consult with your doctor for a thorough examination.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, contact their doctor or call 911 immediately.