World Health Day dedicated to depression
According to the WHO, it occupies the first place of days lost in quality of life, productivity, and premature death; That is why since last October 10, launched a campaign with the slogan "Let's talk about depression."
 |
| Dedicated to depression |
In the framework of World Health Day, this year dedicated by the World Health Organization(WHO) to depression, Voice Pro Mental Health Mexico City collects important data about this disease and its implications.
According to the WHO, depression is the first place of days lost in quality of life, productivity, and premature death.
Talking about depression is not just "being sad"; It is a real illness that can become disabling or end life. According to the National Survey of Psychiatric Epidemiology (ENEP) 2003-2014, it presents an average age of 24 years, and is present in just over
8.4% of Mexicans; in the world, prevails in more than 300 million people (WHO).
This disorder represents the fourth place of the years lived with disability worldwide and the first among the population aged 15 to 49 years.
It may also appear from infancy. Studies of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gomez showed that 27.5% of people with depression presented their first episode before the age of 18, which increased their probability of relapse and suicide.
Another important fact that has been published by the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muniz (INPRF), is that 86% of addictions to drugs with mental illness, and there is three times more depression in people with diabetes, and three times more anxiety in women of low schooling and obesity.
Untreated, this disease can lead to a psychosocial disability, associated with loss of work, dropping out of school, loss of quality of life, productivity and difficulty in socializing.
In 2016, The Lancet magazine estimated that untreated depression and anxiety would account for more than 12 billion lost productivity days a year in 36 countries, which is equivalent to an economic loss of more than 925 billion dollars Dollars.
Another serious consequence is the risk of premature death in these patients (between 40% and 60% higher than in the general population ). This is due to its relationship with other diseases and its close link to suicide (800,000 people die of this a year).
Pharmacological treatment, when necessary, psychoeducation of the family and the patient, group and individual psychotherapy, a healthy lifestyle, methods of relaxation and meditation, and family and social support ensure the best results.
However, in Mexico, the search for treatment takes about 14 years, due to the strong stigma that exists towards mental illness.
The INPRF shows that, in developing countries, between 76.3% and 85.4% of users do not receive adequate treatment; while in developed countries it ranges from 35% to 50.3%.
Other causes that impede treatment are lack of financial resources, up-to-date staff and mental health services at the primary level of care.
Alarm Signs
If you recognize five of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, you may have a depressive condition. If so, it is important to go to a professional:
- Persistent sadness
- Feeling of emptiness
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest, fatigue, lack of energy or loss of energy
- Loss of pleasure in things formerly enjoyed
- Decreased sexual desire
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Imbalance in sleep and/or feeding cycles
- Irritability
- Increase in substance use
- Thoughts of death and suicidal ideation
Since October 10, WHO has launched a campaign with the slogan "Let's talk about depression ", with the aim of informing the public about this condition, encouraging a timely diagnosis, treatment, and empathy by society.