15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression.
Depression is a label we give to people who have a depressed mood most of the time, have lost interest or pleasure in most activities, are fatigued, can’t sleep, have no interest in sex, feel hopeless and helpless, can’t think clearly, or can’t make decisions.
15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression. Depression will be the second largest cause of burden of disease (disability- adjusted life years [DALYs]) i.e. the number of years lost due to ill-health, after heart disease by 20201.
Depression can only be diagnosed by its symptoms – there is no blood test or other diagnostic tool.
The symptoms can range from relativelyminor (but still disabling) through to very severe. The definition of Depression tells us NOTHING about the cause of those symptoms.
