Introduction
With an increasing population of individuals suffering from depression, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have predicted that depression will become the second most leading cause of disability present throughout humanity by the year 2020.
The generalized term depression, referring to all forms of depression including temporary sadness has been criticized for its oversimplification. For this reason the DSM-IV have revolutionized more specific terminologies to differentiate between the various forms of depression, for instance the term Unipolar depression has been used to specifically characterize a persistent depressive mood for over a period of 2 weeks, consequently impairing an individual’s standard of living.
Contrastingly, the term bipolar depression occurs less frequently than unipolar depression; this form of depression differs from unipolar depression in terms of its gender ratio it effects as well as the genetic theories underlying this type of depression. Bipolar depression (also known as manic depression) is characterized by continuous interchange between mania and depression; these individuals display high levels of enthusiasm and self-confidence with bursts of impulsive actions. Other forms of depression include dysthymia here the individual experience chronic form of depression for at least 2 years.
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric (affective) disorders. Unipolar depression annually affects 5% of the population from a range of socioeconomic and ethnic background. The severity and duration of unipolar depression varies amongst individuals however typically lasts no longer than 2 years.
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In early adolescence studies there has not been any major gender differences in the vulnerability of acquiring unipolar depression however throughout development, studies have shown that unipolar depression is 2-3 times more likely to by present amongst females than males. The onset of unipolar depression is commonly found between the ages of 30-40 years in some cases it may peak to a later stage in life around the ages of 50-60 years.
Depression is known as the second most popular burden disorder. This is the leading cause of suicide, with 15-30% of depressed individuals committing suicide within our present society. Increasing susceptibility of an individual to secondary diseases such as heart disease and cancer and the mortality of unipolar depression reported greater than healthy individuals (e.g. to increased cardiovascular disease) has influenced researchers to discover innovative drugs to reduce the number of individuals suffering from depressive symptoms.
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