Depression

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Depression, mild or severe, can stem from a number of contributing factors, including genes, diet, brain neurotransmitters balance, environment, lifestyle, socio-cultural and personality. Depression is a complex medical condition, one that is not a matter of choice. It is not the fault of the patient, and neither is it a sign of personal weakness. A depressive order is not a benign disorder. It tends to be chronic and some patients tend to relapse. Depression does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, or famous or the unknown. The severely depressed patient feels worthless and is often convinced that he or she is responsible for his or her undoing and present state of hopeless despair. Just like diabetes and hypothyroidism, it can’t be willed away. Depression does not imply a weakness in a person and can’t be treated by “will power” alone. It is a serious illness which requires to be addressed urgently just like any other disease.

Extent of Depression

          In the present time of extreme stress, competitiveness, strained family relationships, fast lifestyle, high ambitions and career demands, wanting too much too quickly, more and more people are becoming victims of depression. Depression brings with it feelings of sadness, pessimism and worthlessness that lasts for weeks, few months, few years or a lifetime. It has become much more widely recognised today for the physiological, biological and psychological disease that it is. These days depression is an extremely common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. In fact it is so common that it has often been referred to as the “common cold” of mental illness. It is the illness that adversely affects mind, mood and also health.

Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death and depressive disorders account for 80% of all suicide attempts. The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks (2012) depression as the fourth leading cause of disease worldwide and projects that by 2020, it will be second and by 2030 it is expected to be the largest contributor to disease burden globally. Not surprising, as 15-20% of the world’s population, irrespective of class, culture, nationality, experiences major clinical depression at some point in their lives. The situation in India is worse than many other countries because of the stigma attached to mental illness in the Indian society.