Depression
Depression is a long-lasting low mood disorder. It affects your ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure or take interest in activities. It’s different from feeling sad or down, but anyone can experience depression. Anyone can get down from time to time with the usual ups and downs of life. However, if this becomes a persistent problem every day for two weeks or more then this may be a warning of clinical depression.
Depression is not a sign of weakness. It can happen to the most determined of people. Many famous people, athletes, and celebrities have experienced depression.
Depression is the common mental illness affecting millions of people globally. It may be caused by genetic factors, childhood trauma, stressful life events or changes, bereavement or loss, alcohol or drug use, or physical health problems.
Major Depressive Disorder
Sufferers may find it incredibly hard to even get out of bed or will cry for no apparent reason. Periods of major depression can last for a few weeks or even several years.
Depression and Anxiety
Those who suffer with anxiety feel so emotionally drained and hopeless about how they will manage in the future that they become depressed. Vice versa, people with depression can become afraid of the future and how they will cope – which in turn leads anxiety
Anxiety and depression, although very common, can be difficult to treat because there are two sets of symptoms.
Depression and Advancing Age
The most common worries for those who are growing elderly, or those who care for them, is the loss of cognitive function associated with the various types of dementia.
The diagnosis and treatment of mood symptoms in later stage dementia sufferers is a huge challenge. Depression often goes unrecognized and family members tend to report much greater levels of depression in their relatives than do clinicians and other carers.
There are suitable tests that can be given to those with quite severe dementia to judge whether they are depressed and if you fear that a relative is suffering from unrecognized depression, you should seek input from one of our specialist old age psychiatrist.
Depression Facts
Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on how many symptoms are present and how seriously it is impacting daily life.
About 6% of the population meets the clinical criteria for depression or dysthymia (low-grade depression for more than 2 years) at any one time.
Overall prevalence appears to be rising with a lifetime prevalence of 10-20%.
At least 50% will also have anxiety problems.