In contrast to mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life, depression is more severe and persistent. Depression may become dangerous when it is recurrent and severe. It can lead to significant suffering and poor functioning at work, school, and family. Suicide is one of the worst outcomes of depression. Suicide claims nearly 700,000 lives each year. In the 15-29 age group, suicide is the fourth most common cause of death.
How Depression Affects Us
More than 75% of people in low or middle income countries do not receive treatment for mental disorders, despite known, effective treatments. Resources are limited, healthcare providers are not trained, and mental illnesses are stigmatized. Depression is often misdiagnosed and prescribed to people of all income levels, and those who do not suffer from it are often misdiagnosed and given antidepressants.
Depressive episodes occur when the individual is affected by a depressed mood, which is classified as feeling sad, irritable, empty, or a loss of interest in activities nearly every day for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms may also appear, including poor concentration, excessive guilt or low self-worth, feelings of hopelessness about the future, thoughts about death or suicide, disturbed sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling tired or unmotivated.
When someone is depressed, they often experience significant difficulties in their personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other important life areas.
How It Can Be Treated
The severity and number of symptoms of a depressive episode and the impact on the individual’s functioning determine whether it is mild, moderate, or severe. A healthcare provider may prescribe psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and/or antidepressant medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), depending on the severity and pattern of depressive episodes over time. Psychological treatment formats for consideration include supervised lay therapists and professionals delivering individual and/or group face-to-face psychological therapies.
Contact Us For Guidance or Assistance
For additional information on how you can uncover depression, or get help for a loved one, contact us at Unitas Healthcare Systems today. Our job is to work with any patient to better their mental health, especially when it comes to depression. Contact us today by calling (617) 401-7441 or emailing us at info@uhsma.com.