Rates of Depression continue to rise across the world
Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Medical Education academic staff Prof. Dr. Banu Elçin Yoldaşcan, stated that depression rates are continuously rising across the world, and went on to say, “Recent reports have displayed that this rate is 5.0% in adults and 5.7% in adults over the age of 60”.
Drawing attention to the fact that the same increase has been observed in anti-depressant drugs, Yoldaşcan noted that the main reasons for the increase rate in depression incidents have been especially due to the pandemic, disconnection from social life, increasing economic problems, even longer working hours, seasonal changes, disasters, and regular wars.
Reminding that depression is an illness that can be suffered by anybody, Prof. Dr. Yoldaşcan advised, “It shouldn’t be forgotten that depression is not a sign of weakness”.
Yoldaşcan explained that depression is a disease that can be characterized as permanent sadness, and went on to state, “It can be characterized as losing interest in activities that are normally enjoyed, and the performance of daily activities being accompanied with difficulty”. Individuals experiencing depression can also experience loss of energy, change in appetite, sleeping more or less, worry, insufficient concentration, indecisiveness, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, and emotions such as guilt and hopelessness.
Underlining the fact that depression should be diagnosed by specialist individuals, Yoldaşcan added that in the event that treatment is not applied, the disease could develop further and that the individual can harm themselves. Reminding that also, at times, an individual can think that they have gone into depression, and instead of applying for specialist help, they purchase anti-depressant medication from the pharmacy without a prescription, which can lead to negative outcomes, Yoldaşcan informed, “The individual’s condition could worsen or could lead to the late diagnosis of other diseases that have the same symptoms”.
Informing that sometimes the individual having someone they trust to talk to may help them in finding the correct solutions, however it will not be enough for them, Yoldaşcan continued, “Ask for professional help. The closest health worker to you or a doctor is a good place to start”.
Yoldaşcan advised that there are some things that the individual themselves can do, and elaborated, “First of all, show an effort to do the activities that you enjoy, stay in contact with your friends and family, exercise regularly, develop the habit of eating and sleeping as regularly as possible”.
Highlighting that especially the intake of alcohol or the use of substance that can cause addictions should be refrained from use, Yoldaşcan explained that this situation could make depression even worse.
Reminding that at times the individual can hold back from consulting a doctor for a diagnosis or support, Yoldaşcan concluded, “It shouldn’t be forgotten that the individual holds on to life with the right support and treatment”.