Depression is a widely common psychological disorder in the 21st century, and its severity should not be underestimated. According to research data, the incidence rate of depression patients in China has surged by 10 to 20 times.
Long-term psychological and brain stress increases the risk of suicide. The age group with a high incidence of depression predominantly ranges from 20 to 30 years, with a higher prevalence in females compared to males.
The 2019 China Mental Health Survey report shows that the lifetime incidence rate of depression is approximately 6.8%. Depression is a recurrent mental disorder and has now become the second largest disease burden, next to cardiovascular diseases.
Depression poses a significant threat to human health. It is a common psychological disorder, second only to cancer in terms of harm, often referred to as “the second biggest killer of human health.”
Individuals under immense stress, such as working populations, pregnant women, adolescents, and the elderly, are most likely to contract depression, making them a key group for prevention. It is hoped that everyone can pay attention and take it seriously.
In fact, depression can be observed and prevented in its early stages, but most people overlook it.
How much do you know about depression?
[Is depression a mental illness or psychological disorder?]
Depression is both a psychological disease and a mental illness. In psychiatry, depression is categorized as an affective mental disorder or affective mental illness.
Generally, psychological diseases are considered lighter than mental diseases, but the nature is the same; both involve abnormalities in the brain’s mental activities, affecting social functioning.
Psychological and mental illnesses are relative terms for the same type of mental disorder, with psychological diseases encompassing a broader scope than mental diseases.
For example, mild depressive disorder can also be referred to as a psychological disease, while depression tends to be seen as a mental disease. There is essentially no substantive difference between depression being both a psychological and a mental illness.
[Can depression heal on its own?]
Doctor: Whether depression can heal on its own depends on the severity of the individual case.
If the symptoms are not particularly severe, only mild depression manifests, and with appropriate adjustments, it can heal on its own.
However, severe depression cannot fully heal on its own and requires timely treatment under medical guidance using some antidepressant medications. Commonly used medications include duloxetine and paroxetine. Regular physical exercise and distraction are also advisable.
[Is depression hereditary?]
Doctor: Depression can be hereditary. Generally, the onset of depression is related to mental stress, anxiety, and genetic factors.
If parents or relatives with blood relations have depression, and it’s due to chromosomal abnormalities, the likelihood of inheritance is relatively high. However, if it arises from environmental factors, the probability of inheritance decreases significantly.
The first statement: “I really feel useless.”
For normal individuals, there is a sense of self-protection, and even in failure, they will encourage themselves to start over.
However, those with depression tend to constantly deny their own behaviors. They feel worthless, believing that nothing they do is right.
They repeatedly say, “It’s all my fault,” taking all responsibility upon themselves.
The second statement: “I’m sorry, it’s my fault!”
Depression patients feel…
