A few days ago, the General Office of the National Health Commission issued the “Exploration of Depression Prevention and Treatment Characteristics Work Plan”, aiming to reach an 80% public awareness rate of depression prevention and treatment knowledge by 2022, an 85% awareness rate among students, and a 50% increase in the rate of seeking treatment for depression on the existing basis.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2017 data, the number of people suffering from depression globally has reached 322 million, and the number of depression patients in China has exceeded 40 million. Have you ever suspected yourself of suffering from depression? Have you ever thought about seeking medical treatment?
With the acceleration of the pace of life, when one’s ability level cannot meet the demands of the external environment, people may experience lowered confidence, anxiety, isolation, and other psychological issues. The approval of this plan can prove that depression has now become a serious and common mental illness.
The recent emergence of the internet catchphrase “网抑云” on social platforms is also reflective of the psychological pressure on contemporary adults. Especially in social circles and on platforms like Douyin, depression strikes promptly at midnight.
In addition to domestic issues, looking abroad, the number of adult depression cases in the UK has doubled due to the impact of the pandemic. Foreign media reported that due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate has risen, with nearly 20% of adults in the UK suffering from depression, a doubling of the original numbers, with the most significant impact on young people, people with disabilities, and women.
If the following symptoms appear, attention should be paid!
1. Sleep problems
If you consistently have trouble sleeping, tossing and turning in bed at night for hours before falling asleep, or waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night, it’s time to pay attention to your emotional state. These are the most common early symptoms of depression. Some people may worsen their emotions due to frequent nighttime awakenings, intensifying their depression.
2. Decreased memory and cognitive abilities
Depression patients often show slow responses, find it difficult to think through issues, and may even experience phenomena like paranoia. Confusion sets in, with constant suspicions and doubts about being followed or harmed, leading to social barriers and other issues.
3. Unexplained physical discomfort in various areas
When psychological problems arise, various physical discomforts can manifest, such as stomach discomfort, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness, headaches, frequent urination, fatigue, cold sweats, especially in female patients, irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, but medical examinations may not reveal any substantial diseases.
4. Suicidal tendencies
Depressed patients exhibit obvious negative cognition, feeling that there’s no value in pursuing anything and combined with negative emotional impacts, are prone to impulsive actions. This is particularly prominent in patients who have experienced psychological trauma. Without effective control of the condition, patients may resort to self-harm or suicide.
Some people find joy in a rich and exciting life, while others may feel content with a life void of misfortunes, and some may see being alive as fortunate enough. Regardless of one’s perspective, when it comes to “depression”, we need to acknowledge it as a “physical illness” and individuals with “depression” should receive the respect they deserve.
