Depression: ‘Second biggest cause of disability’ in world
According to a review of research depression is the second most cause of disability in the world after back pain.
The study compared clinical depression with more than 200 other diseases and injuries as a main cause of disability.
Globally only a small proportion of patients have access to treatments which could potentially stop the illness.
Depression is ranked at number two as a global cause to disability however its impact is varied depending on which region you are from. For example the rates of major depression are highest in the country of Afghanistan and lowest in japan. The Uk ranks depression number three in terms of years lived with a disability.
Dr Alize Ferrari let the study.
“Depression is a big problem and we definitely need to pay more attention to it than we are now,”
“There’s still more work to be done in terms of awareness of the disease and also in coming up with successful ways of treating it.
“The burden is different between countries, so it tends to be higher in low and middle income countries and lower in high income countries.”
“There’s lots of stigma we know associated with mental health,”
“What one person recognises as disabling might be different to another person and might be different across countries as well, there are lots of cultural implications and interpretations that come in place, which makes it all the more important to raise awareness of the size of the problem and also signs and how to detect it.”
The date collected for the year 2010 follows similar studies from 1990 and 2000 looking at the global burden of depression.
Dr Daniel Chishold had the following to say.
“It’s a big public health challenge and a big problem to be reckoned with but not enough is being done.
“Around the world only a tiny proportion of people get any sort of treatment or diagnosis.”
Now speaking from a personal view I know that depression comes to us all and there is Always a way to prevent it or get through the other side of this awful condition. For me it was my writing , my poetry book helped me through the other side as well as the love from family and friends. Because I myself have struggled with this issue in the past I would like to offer my hand to anyone struggling with this terrible problem.
If you wish to get in contact privately with me you can private message me on twitter, Facebook and other social media websites ( details available from the main page of my website, or by clicking the links in this article) Or if this is still a little to “public for you” please send me an email to sfoxwriting@hotmail.co.uk
please also leave your own stories about dealing with this disease or thoughts on the matter in the comments box at the bottom.
