Depression facts
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Understanding Depression: Key Facts and Insights
Definition and Symptoms of Depression
Major Depression Disorder (MDD), also known simply as depression, is a psychiatric condition that significantly impacts mood, behavior, and overall health. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, and a marked loss of interest in activities once enjoyed1 2. Individuals with depression may experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms can also manifest, including headaches, unexplained aches, and digestive issues1 2.
Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence
To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present nearly every day for at least two weeks and must interfere significantly with daily functioning1 3. The lifetime incidence of depression in the United States is over 12% in men and 20% in women3. Globally, more than 300 million people are affected by depression, making it the leading cause of disability worldwide4 5.
Causes and Risk Factors
Depression can arise from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Life-changing events, family history, certain medications, and health problems can increase the risk of developing depression5. Additionally, individuals who use illegal drugs are more prone to depression5.
Impact on Quality of Life and Functioning
Depression severely limits psychosocial functioning and diminishes quality of life. It is associated with high societal costs and greater functional impairment than many other chronic diseases, including diabetes and arthritis7 10. Adolescents with major depressive disorder are up to 30 times more likely to commit suicide, highlighting the severe impact of this condition4.
Treatment Challenges and Approaches
Despite being a common illness, the detection, diagnosis, and management of depression pose significant challenges due to its various presentations and unpredictable course7. Current treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes, but the response to these treatments can be inconsistent3 8. Recent studies have explored the neurobiological mechanisms of depression and potential new treatments, including the use of EEG to identify biomarkers for better diagnosis and treatment9.
Conclusion
Depression is a multifaceted and widespread disorder with significant implications for individuals and society. Understanding its symptoms, causes, and impact is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. Ongoing research into the biological mechanisms and potential new treatments offers hope for better management of this debilitating condition.
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Depression
Depression can cause prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, as well as changes in appetite, sleeping patterns, energy levels, and difficulty concentrating.
Highly CitedDepression
Depression can cause prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, and changes in appetite, sleeping patterns, energy levels, and concentration.
Rigorous JournalMajor depressive disorder.
Major depressive disorder is a heterogeneous disorder with no established biologic mechanisms, a variable course, and inconsistent treatment responses.
Highly CitedEditorial: What is depression?
Depression is a complex, heterogeneous disorder with different causes and severity levels, and should be treated differently depending on the individual's needs and circumstances.
Rigorous JournalDepression Status in Korea
Depression prevalence in Korea has increased over time, with the highest suicide mortality rate in the country being 25.8 per 100,000 population.
Rigorous JournalDepression in adults: Some basic facts
Depression in adults is a complex symptom influenced by life events, personality factors, neuroticism, and may have both adaptive and maladaptive aspects.
Depression
Major depression is a complex, multifaceted illness with diverse presentations, unpredictable course, and variable response to treatment, making it difficult for clinicians to detect, diagnose, and manage effectively.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEDITORIAL A Systematic Review of Depression
This special issue explores new insights into treatment or adjunctive treatments for clinical depression, focusing on neurobiological mechanisms, drug mechanisms, REM sleep disturbances, calorie restriction, psychological stress, and herbal medicine.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedDepression biomarkers using non-invasive EEG: A review
Non-invasive EEG studies show that depressed brains have a more random network structure, and promising features like gamma band and signal complexity may help detect specific depression-related symptoms like suicidal ideation.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedPrevalence of Depression Among Adults Aged 20 and Over: United States, 2013-2016.
Depression prevalence among adults aged 20 and over in the United States was estimated at 8.9% in 2013, with non-Hispanic Asian individuals experiencing the highest rates.
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