Geneva, Jan 13.- Today, humanity celebrates World Day to combat depression, which is estimated to affect more than 300 million people in the world, mostly women.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability and contributes significantly to the global burden of disease.
It is a complex disorder that influences mood, thinking, behavior and physical function, and is characterized by profound sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite and sleep, fatigue, feelings of guilt and difficulties in concentration.
In any case, specialized medical attention is required for timely diagnosis and treatment.
It is not a simple decline in mood or emotional state, as it can lead to the emergence of other diseases such as stress, phobias, anxiety, obsessive disorders and in the worst case scenario lead to suicide.
This is significantly influenced by the genetic composition and the functioning of brain neurotransmitters, defined as those chemical substances that help transmit messages between nerve cells in the brain.
Its causes are multiple, and include personal and/or family history with depressive symptoms; chemical, genetic and hormonal composition, exposure to stressful situations and trauma, economic problems, employment situation or unemployment, loss or illness of a loved one or pet, romantic breakups, divorces, among others.
There are various types of depression, depending on their duration and evolution, which affect routine activities and interpersonal relationships, from an emotional, behavioral, cognitive and somatic point of view.
Given this, experts advise, among other recommendations, to seek information and help of any kind: medical, therapeutic, emotional, religious; adopt healthy lifestyle habits, through a balanced diet, avoiding the consumption of alcoholic beverages and narcotics, doing physical activity and not smoking.
Hence, this day aims to raise awareness, guide and prevent the population worldwide about this disease, whose numbers are increasing disproportionately in the world. (Text and photo: PL)