Depression Many personalities are affected

Depression: Many Famous Sick in World History
Almost a year has passed since the suicide of German national keeper Robert Enke. The latter had shocked the public and at the same time directed public interest to the widespread spread of mental illnesses such as depression.

Depression is also widespread in Germany
Depression is the most prevalent form of mental illness in Germany. According to estimates of the Federal Ministry of Health, about four million Germans are affected by depression and a good ten million people suffer from such a mental illness at least once before the age of 65. Throughout life, the disease occurs at least once in about 20 percent of all German citizens, of which about 25 percent of adult women and about ten percent of men are affected. However, according to the health authorities, only just under half of the depressions are recognized as such and by no means all those affected are seeking medical help. Thus, the dark figure in the opinion of the experts is relatively high. In a large-scale information campaign, the National Health Service (NHS) even estimates that almost every person in his or her life suffers from depression at least once. The NHS campaign specifically addresses men, who, because of an irrational sense of shame, would be more likely to hide the illness or forego a visit to a doctor, and as a result often lack the support they need.

Genetic disposition and environmental factors are crucial
In the research on the causes, various family, twin and adoption studies have scientifically proven that there is a genetic predisposition to depression. The risk of developing children with a depressed parent ranges from 10 to 15 percent when both parents are depressed, at 30 to 40 percent. However, the twin studies also showed that not only genetic predisposition but also environmental factors play a crucial role in the development of a possible disease. These environmental factors include, for example, chronic stress and poor personal processing thereof. Unemployment, physical illnesses, poor quality of the partnership as well as the loss of the partner or related persons are also regarded as environmental factors that can trigger a depressive illness.

Many famous personalities are affected
Depression can hit anyone. Even if things go well on the outside, professional success, social recognition and a positive personal environment do not protect against such suffering. In the course of world history, countless prominent personalities have suffered from depression, which today nobody would believe anymore that they were struggling with mental health problems. For example, personalities such as Winston Churchill, Ludwig van Beethoven, Alexander the Great, Marlon Brando, Ray Charles, Charles Dickens, Robert Downey Jr., Richard Dreyfuss, Audrey Hepburn, Hermann Hesse, Isaac Newton, Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Vincent Van Gogh, Franz Liszt, Pablo Picasso, Honoré de Balzac, Wilhelm Busch, Charles Darwin and Justus Liebig under a disease of the psyche. Even Sigmund Freud showed corresponding symptoms. Wilhelm Lange-Einbaum and Wolfram Kurtht have in the book "Genius, insanity and fame" dedicated intensively to the mental illnesses of well-known personalities.

Depression occurs over weeks and months
On the occasion of the establishment of two day clinics for psychiatry and psychotherapy, each with ten treatment places in the district of Uecker - Randow said the „Nordkurier“ with the head of the day clinic of the Ameos-Klinikum, Dr. med. med. Jörg Jüttner, on the treatment of depression. Although the treatment of day-care clinics close to the place of residence also includes the treatment of depression as well as other mental illnesses such as anxiety and panic disorders, stress reactions and adjustment disorders, one of the main areas of activity is the treatment of depression. Every third patient who is admitted is, according to Dr. med. Juttner depressed. The „According to the expert, however, there is still no reason to go to the doctor because sadness or listlessness is not automatically a depression. Rather, the symptoms of depression would creep slowly over weeks and months Sleep disorders, lack of appetite and listlessness are as much a part of this as are physical complaints „This disease is difficult to diagnose and often remains unrecognized for a long time“, the expert explained to the „Nordkurier“. Dr. Jüttner adds: „Anyone who has stomach problems accepts the diagnosis of mucous membrane inflammation rather than being referred to a mental illness.“

Day clinic as an alternative to inpatient treatment
The newly established day clinics not only offer the affected person appropriate medical treatment, they also have „the decisive advantage that the mentally ill patient can continue to stay in his familiar environment“ explained Dr. Juttner as well. The treatment takes place in the clinics during the day and in the evening the patient is at home. „This also reduces the cost of the treatment“, stressed the expert. But accommodation in the day clinic is only considered for mild to moderate disease. Nevertheless, a good alternative for those affected, since the stigma of a daily treatment with stay at home is far less great than inpatient care in a hospital for the mentally ill.

Cure of depression?
When asked about the curability of depression, the specialist explains Jüttner that depressive illnesses are well treatable and for this „a wide range of psychotherapeutic procedures available“ stands. Also on the medical level can be with various antidepressants, the messenger substances in the brain, which have come out of balance by the disease, be re-regulated . „The forms of therapy can be used individually or in combination“, explained Dr. Jüttner and you have already helped many patients. Even if they initially opposed the treatment or were skeptical or suffered from the side effects of the medication. A dependence on antidepressants excludes the expert on demand. He emphasized, however, that the drugs as well as other medicines can have side effects. In conclusion, the doctor advises to accept depression for what it is: a disease that should be treated by a doctor. Supposedly encouraging words, the environment should be avoided as possible, because they help those affected little or worsen the worst case, since the sufferers feel misunderstood and isolated. (fp, 15.10.2010)