About Depression
(Source - World Health Organisation) The Accelerating Spread of Depression In 1990 depression was the fourth most common cause of suffering and disability (time off from work) for both men and women throughout the world. The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will become the second most common cause of suffering and disability for men and the single most common cause of suffering and disability, for women by 2020. Why is Depression Becoming More Common? There are competing theories. One much vaunted theory is that depression is genetically transmitted. The difficulty for the genetic theory is that the number of depressed people is increasing faster than people can reproduce. Studies have shown a tenfold increase in depression among people born since 1945 compared to people born between 1905 and 1914. If depression were transmitted only through genes it would be spreading more slowly. The most plausible general explanation is that throughout the world people expect more from life and experience more frustration in their lives. This is true for both rich and poor countries. Meanwhile life becomes more complicated, demanding, frustrating, constrained and stressful for both rich and poor. At a personal level, it would be hard to find a depressed person who does not feel convinced that they are failing in regard to some set of standards, or expectations, and doesnt feel upset and obliged to strive to live up to them, or hopeless because they no longer have enough energy to strive to live up to them. Am I depressed? - Symptoms of Depression in adults A person who responds to a setback in their life with
for at least 14 days qualifies for diagnosis of a major depression. (World Health Organisation) Symptoms of Depression in children can include
Symptoms of Depression in adolescents can include
Symptoms of Depression in old people can include
Goldberg Depression Test Ivan Goldberg - a New York psychiatrist with a special interest in depression devised this test for depression and its severity www2.netdoctor.co.uk/testyourself/goldberg.asp Any mental health professional is obliged to say If you suspect you are depressed go and see your doctor. As depression is widespread you can bet that your doctor is seeing plenty of people who feel depressed. Your doctor is likely to prescribe a course of anti-depressants and may recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Brief Therapy. Does Therapy Work With Depression? In 1995 the American Psychological Association published a review of hundreds of studies of what is effective in the treatment of depression. In general, psychotherapy is as at least as successful as medication in treating depression and some forms of psychotherapy are much more successful in treating depression than others. According to the AMA research the most useful therapies with a depressed person are the short-term therapies, in particular Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Behaviour Therapies (such as Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). However, research also shows that it is not just a question of the right school or kind of therapy it is also a question of finding a therapist who relates therapy to your particular way of life and circumstances, who can build a good working relationship with you and can sustain and build their optimism about a good outcome. Have you personal experience of depression and recovery? Yes Are you experienced in helping depressed people cope better and recover? Yes Phone Harry Norman on 0117 968 2417 to ask any questions or make an appointment Harry Norman Partnerships Medical Centre 17 Stoke Hill Stoke Bishop Bristol BS9 2JN |
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