Defining depression

Depression or depression is characterized by a pathological condition with a sad mood and pain associated with a reduction of the psychological and physical activity. A person with depression feels powerless and the disease is often accompanied by other symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia
Depression is the disease of our time, according to WHO it is for the three diseases aggravating than the quality of life of people.
Also note that depression affects twice as many women as men.

Statistics of Depression

> It is estimated that in Western countries (like USA), 6% (17 million people) of the population suffers from depression.

> Worldwide, more than 120 million people estimated to suffer from depression.

Causes of depression

Behind all forms of depression are hiding very different causes.

It may well be external causes (grief, stress, or private professional problem, loneliness), causes hormonal (pregnancy, menopause, problems related to the thyroid gland), physical causes (stroke, infection, shingles .. .) or genetic causes (hereditary).
Note that depression can also be caused by excessive consumption of toxic substances such as alcohol or cannabis (usually at a consumption over several years).

A recent study (2009) also showed that depression could be caused in young adults by exposure to excessive television or computer, it seems more prevalent among men than among women.

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on the cause of depression and offer effective therapy, we recommend that you consult a doctor more quickly in cases of suspected depression.

Symptoms of depression

Depression is difficult to recognize because it can be confused with a temporary depression, the latter usually lasts only a few days.

Depression is often part time (several weeks) and is usually associated with anxiety. Also sleep is often disturbed: the depressed will wake up very early in the night (midnight to 4 am) and sleep may be associated with distressing dreams.

A depression will also have mood disorders and a slowdown in its physical or psychological actions. He may feel useless, having no desire for anything (plus interest to his family) feel incapable and could in the worst cases have suicidal urges.
Therefore early detection of disease (see the sooner a doctor) is strongly recommended, although depression is often sent to the doctor by his family or his family because he himself has lost the meaning of analysis.

You should know that there are different forms of depression and illness can be very variable: dépresssion baby blues and postpartum, bipolar disorder (manic depression), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), premenstrual syndrome, vital exhaustion …

Complications of Depression

Depression can be a very serious disease in the worst cases this can lead to suicide. Hence the need for the patient and the entourage of well treat as early as possible this disease.

Other complications of depression can be:
- Increasing the risk of heart disease
- Headache and pain in general
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, difficulty falling asleep ,…)
- Difficulties in his sexual life (eg erectile dysfunction)

Treatments for Depression

To treat depression doctors may use drugs (antidepressants) or treatment pyschologiques oriented speech: psychotherapy or psychoanalysis and the most original new treatments (sleep deprivation, diet, practice sports, electric or magnetic pulses .. ..).
The doctor (psychiatrist or general practitioner) usually combine different treatments (medication and psychotherapy).