Depression

Depression is a very common problem today, ranging in severity from the normal sadness that is an occasional part of life, to the unbearable and debilitating intensity of severe clinical depression. Depression is the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders. It may begin in childhood, adolescence, and at any point in adulthood. The varieties of depressive diagnosis include major depression, chronic depression (dysthymia), bipolar depression and seasonal depression.

Depression is known to be underreported and under treated. The reasons for this probably include feelings of shame, social stigmatization, lack of information and lack of access to care. Warning signs of depression include pervasive sadness, loss of energy, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, inability or increased need for sleep, unexplained aches and pains, digestive problems, decreased sex drive, headaches, change in appetite, and thoughts of death and suicide.

The psychological causes of depression are diverse, including chronic stress and strain, emotional losses, disappointments and damage to self-esteem. Other factors include genetics and personality factors, which together form the predisposition to depression, combining with the current psychological context to determine the actual occurrence of depressive disorders.

The treatment of depression is multi-streamed. First, there is a potential for self-management of depressive tendencies - people can learn to reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and to engage in health promoting activities (nutrition, exercise, relaxation, positive social interactions). Psychotherapy that is based on a structured model of treatment, notably "Cognitive-Behavior Therapy," is effective in treating many cases of depression. Antidepressant medication is valuable in some cases as an adjunct to therapy. Treatment may also include programs which monitor and teach better exercise and eating habits.

The treatment of depression ideally should be started as early as possible, to prevent the progression of the illness and therefore limit its side effects. This requires early identification, which is based on an awareness of depression on the part of health professionals and patients. Ongoing efforts and public education to increase knowledge of depression, its causes and treatments, should lead to a reduced impact of this problem in the future.