-Between 5 and 15% of the French population would be affected by a depressive episode during the year, estimates the Ministry of Health. A silent disease, depression is a more common mental disorder than you might think.
-Globally, 121 million people suffer from depression. In 2020, the depression will have become the world’s leading cause of disability, after cardiovascular disease, for all ages and sexes combined, according to projections by the World Health Organization.
Already today, it is the second leading cause of disability in the world for 15-44 year olds.
-Depression is not a temporary malaise but an intense psychological suffering that develops over time. Mood disturbances must generally persist for more than two weeks to be considered depressive in nature. This malaise leads to isolation and handicap in everyday life.
-These disorders can lead to suicides. It is estimated that 850,000 people end their lives every year worldwide (2010 figure). They would be 13,000 per year in France.
– Depression can be diagnosed by a general practitioner, but less than a quarter of patients are treated in France.
25% of people therefore do not have access to treatment with antidepressants or short and structured psychotherapies, recalls the association France depression, which organizes in France the european depression day.
-The patient’s lack of knowledge and fear sometimes hinders the patient from asking for help. However, the effectiveness of treatments (drugs or psychotherapies) is guaranteed in 60 to 80% of cases.
The week of October 21 will be an opportunity to learn more about prevention and the treatments for this disease. More information on the site www.france-depression.org.
