07/04 - World Health Day highlights Depression

The World Health Organization has chosen Depression as the theme of World Health Day celebrated on April 7th. The focus of the campaign is "Let's Talk." Carla Bicca - CEFI teacher, psychiatrist, cognitive therapist and director of Villa Janus - explains about the disease that affects millions of people around the world.

Depressive disorder has a lifetime incidence of 12-20% of the general population. It is one of the causes of greater disability and morbidity in adults and adolescents. It is the most prevalent disease among psychiatric disorders. The ratio of women being more depressed than men is 2: 1, respectively. However, there are studies questioning this relationship and assessing the likelihood of men reporting less of these symptoms when questioned and being underdiagnosed. Depression is characterized by the presence of a depressed mood most days and almost every day. The person feels sadder, hopeless, empty and usually other people realize even before the person himself. Mood may be irritable, a manifestation of depression common in children and adolescents. It's short-tempered people, for example. Pleasure and interest in everyday people and activities is also diminished most days.

The weight may be above or below, but it is noteworthy by the change in appetite. Sleep may be altered, have insomnia or too much sleep, hypersomnia. The person may have a feeling of restlessness or slowness. Report loss of energy, tiredness and fatigue, as well as feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy or guilt. The ability to concentrate, think and make decisions is compromised. Thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts may arise. The symptoms described above are usually accompanied by intense suffering. Depression may be mild (2 symptoms), moderate (3 symptoms), moderate to severe (4 or 5 symptoms), and severe (4 to 5) symptoms with motor agitation), depending on the presence and intensity of the symptoms described above and the reflex. of these symptoms in the person's social and working affective life. Depression is a disease that affects the person, their family, their environment and every society. Early diagnosis saves lives!