Mental Health and Diseases Specialist Specialist stated that depression is the oldest known and most common mental health disease. Dr. Ebru ÖztepeYavaşçı said that the persistence of negative thoughts throughout the day for 2 weeks and almost every day is a sign of depression.
Stating that depression was seen only as a psychological disorder for many years, Yavaşçı said that environmental factors and He pointed out that it was tried to be explained through traumatic events experienced during the development process. However, Yavaşçı underlined that the investigation was started when depression was detected in most of the patients who used the same drug for a physical disease, and said, "Genetic predisposition to depression is another reason that has been emphasized. However, no gene that is particularly effective in depression has been found. Stress is also an environmental factor that is effective in depression. Genetics and stress are hand in hand." It gives away and triggers the biological mechanism of depression. Of course, depression is neither a socio-psychological disease nor a biological disease. In fact, it is a brain disease caused by the combination of many reasons. Depression can also be seen in some physical diseases. Anemia, thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism), "such as diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency. These should also be taken into consideration and should not be overlooked. It may also occur due to medications used for the treatment of another disease. For this, patients should be evaluated comprehensively," he said.
The diagnosis of depression can only be made by a specialist. Stating that it can be diagnosed as anhedonia, Yavaşçı said, "Depression is a condition with symptoms such as loss of interest, loss of pleasure, loss of energy, feelings of guilt, thoughts of inadequacy, difficulty in making decisions, decrease in attention and concentration, forgetfulness, slowing down of thoughts and movements, sleep and appetite disorders." . These symptoms must last throughout the day, almost every day, for at least 2 weeks. "One of the indispensable criteria in the diagnosis of psychiatric diseases is that these symptoms significantly impair the person's quality of life," he said. Stating that it is a serious disease, Yavaşçı said, "If depression is not treated, It can become chronic. The most important and worst consequence is suicide. It is a disease that causes serious disability. According to the statements made by the World Health Organization, it affects 121 million people all over the world. It ranks 1st among the diseases that cause the most workforce loss and disability in the world. It ranks 4th in increasing the global disease burden. The global burden of disease is the sum of years lost due to disease-related premature death and productive years reduced from predicted life expectancy. It ranks 2nd among women and men between the ages of 15-44. "It is predicted that it will rise to the second place for all ages and both genders in 2020," he said.
Seasonal changes trigger depression
Especially in recurrent depression, seasonal Noting that there are many special features, Yavaşçı said, "Seasonal changes occur not only in humans, but also in nature and animals. Probably the belief among the public in the positive effects of changing location and climate arises from such facts. Seasonal depression affects more than 6 percent of the population living far from the equator. There is a relationship between seasons, affective disorders and suicide. Seasonal depression is more common in high altitude areas, and 60 to 90 percent of patients are women. "Phototherapy, which takes 30 minutes before dawn and in the evening, has been found to be as effective as antidepressant treatment in seasonal depression," he said.
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