An Overview of Depression

Depression is a complex medical disorder and has been recognized since the days of Hippocrates. In the 1950s and 60s, depression was categorized into two types, endogenous and neurotic (reactive). Endogenous depression is caused by something inside the body, perhaps genetic or nutritional. Neurotic or reactive depression has a definitive external precipitating factor, such as the death of a spouse, friend, child or loss of a job. In the 1970s and 80s, the global impact of depression was fully realized and the focus of attention shifted from the cause of depression to its effects on the afflicted individuals and their treatment.

Today, most health care experts agree that irrespective of the classification, depressive disorder is a syndrome (or group of symptoms) that reflects a sad mood over and above normal sorrow or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a larger intensity and duration, and by more intense symptoms with functional disabilities than is seen in normal individuals.

Women are three times more prone to developing depression compared to men. Why this is so is unknown but many theories have been postulated. Some believe that this is due to hormones; others claim that it is psychological or social but the bottom line is that men and women are biochemically different. Recent statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health indicate that close to 19 million Americans over the age of 18 currently suffer from major depression.

Even though most people agree that heart disease and diabetes are a major health problem, mental disorders, like depression are in fact even a bigger health problem. Depression costs the health care system billions of dollars each year in terms of treatment, lost production and absenteeism. In fact, depression has overtaken arthritis and hypertension in terms of its morbidity and mortality. Suicide that is due to depression is the third leading cause of death in 10- to 24-year-olds. The sad thing is that the majority of individuals with depression never seek treatment and may cultures view a diagnosis of a mental illness as taboo. When depression is left untreated the prognosis is poor as the symptoms only worsen, leading to untold suffering, despair and eventually suicide.

Note: Statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be considered as professional medical advice.

2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Kathy is a professional published freelance writer and commercial stock photographer living in Southeast New Mexico USA. Visit ElectronicPerceptions.com to see some of her latest photography, and to read more of her excellent content too.

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