Key facts
- Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression.
- Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
- More women are affected by depression than men.
- Depression can lead to suicide.
- There is effective treatment for mild, moderate, and severe depression.
Introduction
Depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years (1). Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression (1). Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when recurrent and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Over 700 000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds.
Although there are known, effective treatments for mental disorders, more than 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment (2). Barriers to effective care include a lack of resources, lack of trained health-care providers and social stigma associated with mental disorders. In countries of all income levels, people who experience depression are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed and prescribed antidepressants.
Symptoms and patterns
During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy.
In some cultural contexts, some people may express their mood changes more readily in the form of bodily symptoms (e.g. pain, fatigue, weakness). Yet, these physical symptoms are not due to another medical condition.
During a depressive episode, the person experiences significant difficulty in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other important areas of functioning.
A depressive episode can be categorised as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on the individual’s functioning.
There are different patterns of mood disorders including:
- single episode depressive disorder, meaning the person’s first and only episode);
- recurrent depressive disorder, meaning the person has a history of at least two depressive episodes; and
- bipolar disorder, meaning that depressive episodes alternate with periods of manic symptoms, which include euphoria or irritability, increased activity or energy, and other symptoms such as increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive reckless behaviour.
Contributing factors and prevention
Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and the depression itself.
There are interrelationships between depression and physical health. For example, cardiovascular disease can lead to depression and vice versa.
Prevention programmes have been shown to reduce depression. Effective community approaches to prevent depression include school-based programmes to enhance a pattern of positive coping in children and adolescents. Interventions for parents of children with behavioural problems may reduce parental depressive symptoms and improve outcomes for their children. Exercise programmes for older persons can also be effective in depression prevention.
Diagnosis and treatment
There are effective treatments for depression.
Depending on the severity and pattern of depressive episodes over time, health-care providers may offer psychological treatments such as behavioural activation, cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, and/or antidepressant medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Different medications are used for bipolar disorder. Health-care providers should keep in mind the possible adverse effects associated with antidepressant medication, the ability to deliver either intervention (in terms of expertise, and/or treatment availability), and individual preferences. Different psychological treatment formats for consideration include individual and/or group face-to-face psychological treatments delivered by professionals and supervised lay therapists. Antidepressants are not the first line of treatment for mild depression. They should not be used for treating depression in children and are not the first line of treatment in adolescents, among whom they should be used with extra caution.
global depression issues
Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
Depression can manifest in a variety of ways, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns. When left untreated, depression can lead to a number of negative outcomes, including suicide.
There are a number of risk factors for depression, including genetics, life events, and social and economic factors. Certain groups, such as women, people living in poverty, and those who have experienced trauma, may be at a higher risk for developing depression.
Depression is a global issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address it. This includes increasing awareness and reducing the stigma around mental health, providing access to evidence-based treatments, and addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to the development of depression.
WHO and other organizations are working to address depression globally through a variety of initiatives, such as increasing access to mental health services, promoting mental health literacy, and providing training for healthcare professionals.
In summary, depression is a common mental health disorder that affects people globally, it is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. It requires a multifaceted approach to address it, including increasing awareness, reducing stigma, providing access to evidence-based treatments, and addressing social and economic factors.
1. Increasing Inequality: Global inequality has reached extreme levels, with nearly half the world’s population living in poverty. This has created difficult economic conditions for many people around the world, leading to increased depression and other mental health issues.
2. Low Wages: Low wages and underemployment are common in many parts of the world, which can lead to poverty and depression. This is especially true in developing countries, where there are few opportunities for economic advancement.
3. High Unemployment: High levels of unemployment can lead to increased levels of depression as people struggle to provide for themselves and their families. This is especially true in countries that have experienced severe economic recessions or depression.
4. Social Isolation: Social isolation can contribute to depression, as people feel disconnected from their communities and lack meaningful social connections. This is particularly true in countries where there is a lack of social support systems.
5. Economic Instability: Economic instability can contribute to depression, as people worry about their economic future and their ability to provide for their families. This is especially true in countries that have experienced economic recessions or depressions.
6. Political Instability: Political instability can also contribute to depression, as people feel uncertain about their future and their ability to participate in a democratic society. This is especially true in countries that have experienced political turmoil or civil unrest.