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What is depression?

Throughout the world, depression is one of the most common mental health problems.
Many studies on depression are predicting that most of us will, at some time experience symptoms of depression which may be severe enough to affect quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) is predicting that depression will become a worldwide epidemic.

Depressive disorders have been with humankind since the beginning of recorded history. Some notable examples of depression include, King David, as well as Job, who both suffered from depression. The Greek philosopher Hippocrates referred to depression as melancholia. In the nineteenth century medical doctors saw depression as an inherited weakness of temperament. Freud linked the development of depression in humans to emotional guilt and psychological conflicts. In the 1950’s and 1960’s depression was divided into two types, endogenous and neurotic. Endogenous depression is a type of depression that is caused by biological factors such as genetic defects, whereas neurotic (or reactive depression) is caused by environmental factors, such as loss of loved ones or other significant losses. In the 1970’s’ and the 1980’s much attention was given to the effect that depression had on the sufferers and less on the causes.

Since the 1990’s not all experts agree on the causes of depression, however, most agree on the following:

• Depression is very different from healthy grief or sadness.
• Symptoms of depression are: negative thoughts and beliefs, a constant negative mood, followed by negative behaviour, which leads to ill-effects on bodily functions, such as sleeping disorders, eating disorders, poor sexual libido and more.
• It is agreed that certain people, especially those with bi-polar depression (manic depression) disorder have a genetic tendency towards such conditions.
• Depression can increase vulnerability to other illnesses, such as coronary diseases, HIV, asthma, stress disorders and more. It is assumed that depression can increase the chances of developing illnesses and could bring about premature death.
• Most of the diagnosis for depression is done by GPs in a primary care setting and not by mental health specialists, which may mean that the disorder is under-diagnosed.
• Despite clear research evidence and clinical guidelines for treatment of depression, the disorder is often poorly treated.
• Most experts agree that for full recovery from depression (biological or psychological) the sufferer needs medical interventions combined with psychological treatments.

What are the symptoms of depression?

• Mood changes: feeling low, sad or numb much of the time, increase in other unhealthy negative emotions such as guilt, anxiety, hurt, anger, etc.
• Psychological changes: poor concentration and focus, poor decision-making, poor short-term memory, pessimistic outlook, excessive self-downing and self-criticism, loss of life-meaning and personal goals.
• Physical symptoms: impaired sleep, eating problems, loss or gain of weight, poor sex drive, excessive tiredness, low energy, aches and pains.
• Behaviour changes: avoiding work and/or any social activities, self-imposed isolation and very poor self-care.

Treatments for depression: Most treatments for depression involve either medical or psychological interventions. However, evidence has shown that a combination of the two can achieve superior results.

There are many types of medications and psychological treatments for depression. However, so far most of the scientific evidence has shown that a course of anti-depressants combined with Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT) is the most effective and efficient form of treatment one can receive. Whereas anti-depressants can start lifting a depressed mood within three to six weeks, CBT, on the other hand, teaches rational thinking, motivates the client to adopt healthy behaviours, to attend to and achieve personal goals, teaches unconditional self-acceptance and unconditional emotional responsibility and helps to create a more meaningful life. Moreover, CBT helps to develop new life strategies so as to prevent lapses and relapses. It helps to develop healthy self-reliance and discourage dependency on medications, doctors, therapists and other people.