WHO 350 million people with depression

Worldwide, according to WHO, around 350 million people suffer from depression

12/10/2012

Depression is a growing global problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) concludes in a recent report that around 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. However, because of the stigma often associated with depression, many do not confess that they are ill and therefore receive no medical treatment, according to the WHO statement.

„We have some very effective treatments for depression, but unfortunately, less than half of the people with depression get the care they need“, explained Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse at WHO. The proportion of adequately treated patients is even less than ten percent in some countries. Therefore, improving access to treatment is one of the WHO's main concerns.

Depression: Complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors
According to the WHO experts, depression is distinguished from the usual mood swings and characterized by a persistent feeling of grief for two weeks or more. The performance at work, at school or at home is severely limited. The disease results from a „complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors“, There is also an association between depression and physical health, according to the WHO communication. For example, cardiovascular disease can lead to depression and vice versa. Even conditions such as economic pressure, unemployment, disasters and conflicts increase the risk of depression, according to the World Health Organization.

In early diagnosis depression treatable
In the worst case, depression ends in the suicide of patients. Thus, a large part of the nearly one million suicides per year committed by people with diagnosed depression, reports the WHO. Also, depression is often a recurring disease, which cumulatively leads to the longest incapacity for work over the years. However, with early diagnosis, psychosocial and drug therapies often allow successful treatment. The WHO's Global Depressive Trends study was presented to the public on Wednesday at the International Day of Mental Health. (Fp)

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Picture: Günter Havlena