Depression is a mental illness that affects one's state of mind, leading to abandonment or limitations in various areas of life, such as personal, family, and work-related areas. It is more commonly diagnosed in women.
Depression has a multifactorial origin involving genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Symptoms include sadness, despondency, unhappiness, generalized discouragement, low self-esteem, and a loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities. Depression is often associated with changes in appetite and sleep.
Depression is clinically diagnosed through a focused interview that considers several medical criteria and rules out other diseases with similar symptoms. Treatment involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and/or behavioral therapy. A specialist should assess the severity of the condition, including the risk of suicide. In general, it is advisable to go to the emergency room if the depression leads to self-harm, becomes debilitating, or interferes with basic activities. It is also advisable to go to the emergency room if the person has recurrent thoughts of death.
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