Depression is a mental illness that affects more than 3.6 million Mexicans; However, in more than half of the cases, this condition is not diagnosed or treated, warned a specialist.
“More than 50% of people with depression do not receive any type of care, and some studies speak of up to 70% who are not adequately treated,” said psychiatrist Alonso Morales Rivero, a specialist at the ABC Medical Center, on the occasion of World Day to Fight Depression, which is commemorated every January 13.
In an interview, the specialist stressed that depression should not be confused with everyday sadness, since it is a clinical disorder that directly impacts the functionality of those who suffer from it and that can include suicidal ideation.
“Depression is an illness whose main symptoms are depressed mood and anhedonia, which is the loss of the ability to experience pleasure,” explained Morales Rivero, who explained that for diagnosis the symptoms must persist for at least 15 days.
Among the most relevant signs, the psychiatrist mentioned alterations in appetite, cognitive problems such as difficulty maintaining attention, persistent feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts.
“When you lose functionality and stop enjoying the things you used to like, we are no longer talking about a normal emotion, but rather a disorder,” he said.
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Morales Rivero emphasized that sadness is a basic and expected emotion in the face of losses or adverse situations, while depression implies a sustained deterioration in daily life.
“It’s not bad to feel sad; what makes the difference is when it interferes with your day-to-day life,” he noted.
It is estimated that 3.6 million adults live with depression, with a significantly greater impact on women, who have a prevalence up to three times higher than that of men, particularly between 40 and 59 years of age.
Furthermore, this condition ranks first as a cause of disability in Mexican women and ninth in men.
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Stigma remains a barrier
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), more than 34 million people have reported feeling depressed at some point in their lives, but only a minimal fraction receives adequate pharmacological or psychotherapeutic care.
This treatment gap increases the risk of chronicity, relapses and deterioration in quality of life.
In addition to this and despite its impact, depression continues to be stigmatized, underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“We psychiatrists and psychologists have been victims of significant stigmatization. The reality is that psychiatric treatments and psychiatric illnesses have always been loaded with this veil of even mysticism that generates a lot of curiosity far from a situation of compassion and empathy,” he stated.
The psychiatrist explained that the Covid-19 pandemic worsened the prevalence of depression globally and that this condition is more common in young adults and people over 65 years of age.
Given this panorama, Morales Rivero called to reinforce early detection from the first level of medical care and to normalize mental health care.
“Depression has a diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and if well managed, most patients do well,” he concluded.
With information from EFE.
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