- Depression is such a common mental health disorder that at least 5% of adults worldwide suffer from it.
- The exact causes that cause it are not known, but the main factors that contribute to its appearance are social, psychological and biological.
- The abuse of social networks has caused the appearance of technopathologies related to depression such as FOMO.
The lifestyle has seen a radical change over the last few years. Technology has been responsible for facilitating many tasks and eliminating physical distances. Now the Social networks have become the preferred medium for the majority of the population, but not everything is favorable because they can also cause adverse effects such as depression.
About this topic the Dr David MischoulonDirector of the Depression Clinical and Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospitalgave the conference How to survive and overcome depression.
He developed in detail one of the most common personality disorders in the world, which is depression. He also highlighted different aspects such as the symptoms for its diagnosis, the depression in women, postpartum depression and depression in adolescence.
“Depression has two main symptoms. The first is a feeling of sadness on a daily basis and the second is the loss of interest or pleasure in leisure activities such as playing sports or playing a musical instrument.
According to the specialist, additional symptoms of depression are:
- Abnormal sleep (too little or too much).
- Feelings of guilt/reproach.
- Lack of energy.
- Reduced concentration.
- Appetite changes (little or too much).
- Feeling of physical/mental slowness or agitation.
- Preoccupation with the subject of death or suicide.
In the same way, he described the most common risk factors. He claimed that he is a disorder more common in women than in men. He also said that it can cause disability when left untreated or even when treated.
Social media and depression
There is an association between excessive use of Social networks and depression. People who abuse this form of communication are at three times the risk compared to others. In addition, they also have a high risk of developing anxiety, fights between strangers and personal attacks.
Similarly, the abuse of social networks has generated the appearance of technopathologies. One of the best known was baptized as Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). It consists of an irrational fear of remaining disconnected from the digital world. It is produced by the alienation of these means.
How to treat depression?
There are various treatments to treat depression such as antidepressant medications, psychotherapies (psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.), natural medicines, alternative treatments, omega-3, S-adenosylmethionine, St. John’s wort, acupuncture, meditation, somatic treatments ( electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.) and experimental treatments such as ketamine.
Postpartum depression
The postpartum depression it is very common and prevails between 5% and 60% of women who become mothers. Psychological and physiological/obstetric factors play an important key role because it can evolve without diagnosis due to stigmata. It usually starts right after delivery or up to six weeks later. It is treated the same as other forms of depression but with care regarding the health of the newborn.
Forecast
According to research by Dr. David Mischoulon and Massachusetts General Hospital, most people with depression improve with treatment. Although care must be taken because there is a great tendency to relapse because between 50% and 90% do.
In this sense, there is a greater probability of relapse if there have been many episodes and/or long episodes. Sometimes depression can be chronic or with episodes of improvement and therefore it is recommended to continue treatment indefinitely.
Also read:
Chart of the day: Social networks with the greatest influence on mental health
The use of social networks has increased depression and anxiety in the world population
Facebook depression, the new disease of millennials?