What is depression?
Depression, which must be distinguished from sadness or “the blues” is a common and legitimate medical illness. Everyone feels down or low at some stage, but when these lows last for long periods and affect general functioning and behaviour the person may be suffering from a Depressive Disorder.
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Who becomes depressed?
Depressive disorders are common and approximately 6-10 percent of the population will experience a depressive episode in any given year. More women than men are affected (2:1) with some estimating that as many as one in five women (i.e. 20 percent) will experience an episode of depression during any given year. |
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Types of depression
There are several different types and sub-types of depressive illness just as heart disease may present in different ways. |
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Causes of depression
Exactly what causes depression is not known, but research has revealed several possible causes and contributory factors. These include both biological/physical and social/psychological factors. There is often a combination of factors at play in an individual’s history and environment and different people become depressed for different reasons. |
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Symptoms of depression
Depression affects different people in differen ways. Some people may present predominantly with physical symptoms such as backache, headache or stomach complaints that do not respond to treatment. |
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Course of depression
About half of patients who are diagnosed with a Major Depressive Disorder have had significant symptoms prior to the first diagnosed episode. |
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Prognosis of depression
Major Depressive Disorder is a recurrent illness. While each episode usually responds to treatment it tends to be a chronic disorder and patients do tend to relapse (the condition deteriorates again before an episode is completely resolved). |
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Diagnosis of depression
In order to diagnose a depressive disorder the health professional or family doctor would do a full evaluation including questions regarding family history, personal history of illness and recent stressors. |
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Treatment of depression
Between 80-90% of all depressed people respond to treatment and almost all sufferers who are appropriately treated will experience at least some symptom relief. |
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Prevention of depression
One cannot alter a genetic vulnerability or a history of loss but much can be done to decrease stressors (see self-help). A balanced life-style with adequate social interaction and support, and knowledge of what comprises depression so that help can be sought timeously, can all help to prevent depressive episodes. |
