How to help people cope with functional depression
By 2020, depression is projected to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 5.2 million people globally, according to a report from the World Health Organization.
The report, titled The Future of Depression, said that a lack of access to mental health services and a general lack of understanding about depression is contributing to its rise.
While depression can cause significant distress, it is not always a cause for concern.
It can also be managed, the report said.
It said that people can help themselves to a better understanding of depression and how to deal with symptoms, which it said can include: getting out of bed, getting rest, managing stress, managing their mood, managing thoughts, and making plans for the future.
“These strategies will allow people to manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of developing depression in the future,” it said.
The study, published in the journal The Lancet, found that a large number of people in developed countries are living with functional depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), major anxiety disorder (BID), and borderline personality disorder (BPPD).
While people in the US, UK, France and Canada were the most affected, it also found that in India, India was the most common country where people were living with MDD.
This suggests that the future is not bright for people with depression, said the WHO.
“It is not clear what will happen as the global pandemic worsens,” said the report.
“We have to ensure that there are effective treatments available and that people with mental health problems are able to access them.”