Depression Increased By 18% In The World. Why Are We Becoming Sadder And Sadder?

According to WHO (World Health Organization) figures, depression has increased worldwide. This is a worrying statistic.

The truth is that we have all felt sadness for some reason. Death of a loved one, breakup of a relationship, unemployment, etc., but when that sadness is prolonged and there is nothing to help us remedy it, we can fall into a depressive state.

Depression has been increasing significantly in recent decades. It affects more women than men and has become a public health problem. About 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide.

Despite the challenges posed by the disease and strategies to bring information about its consequences, there is still a lack of knowledge about it. Moreover, many people who have depression refuse to accept it. Hence the difficulties in managing it.

Its impact is such that it is considered to be the second disease that generates disability in the world. This is related to the paralysis of abilities, as well as to the hours that a person stops working because of depression. It is also the cause of 800,000 suicides each year.

Causes for the increase of depression

It is frequent that many people with depression are unaware that they have this disease.

Appropriate treatments exist, but they do not reach the majority of those who need them. Sometimes there are also not enough health professionals to diagnose it in time.

Therefore, one of the factors for the increase in depression may be the lack of efficiency in health institutions.

On the other hand, uncertainty has taken over modern cultures. Everything happens at an overwhelming pace. Therefore, what was true yesterday may no longer be true today.

This uncertainty makes us more insecure. It leads us to relativize medium and long term plans and also to experience fear when being part of an unpredictable reality.

At the same time, the ideals of success have become more and more demanding. Before, it was enough that you were a decent citizen and that, little by little, you were advancing in your goals.

Now you have to meet thousands of requirements to achieve social success. Apparently today we are freer and more autonomous, but deep down, the parameters of the "ideal self" have become much stricter.

How do you know if you suffer from depression?

Melancholy, sadness, fear, frustration, among others, are moods that anyone can go through. They are also necessary to grow, learn and mature. The hard experiences that we face day by day can strengthen us.

However, if these states become permanent, it is very likely to fall into depression.

From then on, it is possible that there may be a neglect of personal aspects, especially health. Relationships with others are affected. Nothing matters anymore, and there is a tendency to withdraw, to isolate oneself, to not share with anyone, including the family. This is accompanied by increasing difficulties in sleeping.

Negative emotions (loneliness, anguish, fear, for example) occur more frequently and it is almost impossible to get out of them. The same as that feeling of emptiness, hopelessness and anxiety.

The depressed person moves away from activities that generate pleasure. Existence becomes a martyrdom.

Thoughts related to death are another symptom of depression. The idea of suicide is very recurrent. Self-destructive behaviors appear. Among them, to drink alcohol too much, to neglect your hygiene, to stop setting goals, etc.

Depression feeds on loneliness

If you feel bad for any reason, seek help. Talking to someone you trust is a great support. This way you can unburden yourself of the anguish you carry inside.

Remember that there are professionals you can also turn to. If you visit a psychologist or a psychiatrist, it does not mean that you are in a very bad way.

They will simply guide you to find the reasons for your sadness and prevent you from falling into depression.

Above all, think that depression feeds on loneliness. Rest assured that there will always be someone willing to understand what is happening to you. To listen to you with attention. To take an interest in you.

It is a matter of opening your heart and understanding that being alone in those moments is not a good decision, even if it is what your body is asking for.

It is key to resume your activities. If you liked to go for a walk, do it again. If you were passionate about playing soccer, look for your friends with whom you used to play soccer. The ideal is to get out of your physical and emotional confinement.

That way, the bad moments will not give way to depression; on the contrary, they will be transformed into learning for your growth.