European data show that 14% of the population is currently suffering from depressive disorders. According to these calculations, for example in Great Britain , the effects of the depression would cost the state around 12 billion pounds a year.
In Italy the figure is around 11%, in Lazio 17%, with a higher frequency in the North and a lower incidence in the South, due to social, genetic, climatic and environmental factors.
Relationship between the increase in depression and the Covid-19 pandemic
The study coordinated by the Department of Mental Health of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” together with the ISS on a sample of 20,720 participants,showed that levels of anxiety, depression and stress-related symptoms increased during the lockdown, especially in women.
Lockdown was a significant factor in the worsening of anxiety-depressive symptoms.
According to the research conducted by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita
“the last few months have entailed many challenges, in particular for health professionals, students, family members of patients with Covid-19, people with mental disorders and more generally people in disadvantaged socio-economic conditions and workers whose livelihoods have been threatened.
The substantial economic impact of the pandemic may in fact hinder not only progress towards economic growth but also progress towards social inclusion and mental well-being.
Numerous studies show that the loss of work productivity is among the main determinants of poor mental health “(ISS).
The numbers on depression in 2020
The World Health Organization has declared that in 2020, depression will be the most widespread mental disorder in the world it is the second most frequent disease after cardiovascular disease.
In the last 3-4 years there has already been a significant increase in cases of mental illness in general. The intensity and severity of these diseases is unchanged, what has changed is the number of people affected and suffering from them.
The numbers are very significant: more than half of the depressive forms are already felt at the age of 14 but unfortunately half of the nations of the world have only one child psychiatrist for every two million inhabitants.
Major Depression and Reactive Depression
There are different types of depression which by the World Health Organization are divided into two broad categories:
- rarer major (psychotic) depressions and well treatable with drugs and psychotherapy, e
- reactive depressions (also called neurotic or minor) which, on the other hand, are widespread and affect a greater number of people.
Depression and age of onset in times of Covid-19
Depression manifests itself in all ages of life and even this moment is no exception. Children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, for different reasons, can suffer from it.
Furthermore , the Covid-19 pandemic spares no one , adults and the elderly who also fall ill with serious or fatal forms, young people who become ill less severely but still have many ailments and children who usually do not get seriously ill, with a few exceptions, but who are very worried and afraid for the health of their parents, older siblings and who fear losing their grandparents.
Children feel, listen, understand and emotionally perceive the state of mind of those around them, they have real “emotional radars” that also keep them unconsciously, continuously in deep contact with those around them on whom I depend and whom they love . Children have good reasons for being worried and much need to be reassured and reassured.
Not to mention the mourning depressions in those who have lost loved ones, family, relatives and friends.
What unites everyone, in every age of life is that, once recognized and treated, every form of depression can regress, go “into remission” or heal .
There are also known forms of depression with a prolonged course in conjunction with physical diseases (hypertension, heart, lung or rheumatic diseases) or “recurrent” that recur at the change of season, in the presence of mourning or separations, removals, city changes, etc., and in conjunction with physical illnesses.
How to intervene in case of depression and anxiety from Covid-19
There are at least two important things:
- ask for help without fear or shame
- identify the causes
It is essential to work on the causes that produced it and in case of serious or familiar disorders, rare but exist, having done an analysis helps to recognize the symptoms as soon as they arise, to consult your analyst or psychiatrist, to resume a ” tranche ”(a short period) of analysis to address the problem of the moment and to modify or resume drug therapy for a period.
It is the best way to prevent relapse, protect your health and well-being, and take care of yourself.
Essential sitography
- http://www.agenziafarmaco.gov.it/content/allarme-oms-nel-2020-la-depressione-sar%C3%A0-la-malattia-pi%C3%B9-diffusa
- https://www.epicentro.iss.it/mentale/documentazione-mondo
- https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescents-health-risks-and-solutions
- https://www.lopinionista.it/depressione-da-covid-19-psicoanalisi-farmacologia-e-medicine-non-convenzionali-insieme-per-la-cura-intervista-ad-adelia-lucattini-76774.html
Source Photo
- http://www.salutedomani.com/article/ranieri_guerra_oms_stimato_raddoppio_casi_depressione_per_pandemia_coronavirus_29756
- https://www.egalite.org/impazzire-di-covid-19-rapporti-oms-e-onu/
