By Healthy Living September 3, 2019 - 6:17am

According to research, more than half of the inhabitants of large cities are vulnerable to different types of depression. Information noise, the frantic pace of life and work leads us to fatigue, lethargy, apathy, and thus to a depressive state. Depression can and should be treated. The more we know about it, the easier it is to get rid of it. Here are some facts about depression which may be useful to you.

1. Depression Can Be Hereditary
Scientists are considering the possibility of a biological predisposition to depression. According to a new study, some parts of our DNA may be related to this disorder. Based on data from 23andMe research, experts counted more than 200 genes associated with depression. These genes are also involved in the formation of brain nerve cells.

2. Depression Is a Physical Disease
We all know that depression has emotional symptoms, but it’s also manifested through physical symptoms. People often lose their appetite, experience anxiety, headaches and suffer from insomnia.

3. Depression Is Common
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, about 350 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. Depression is one of the main causes of disability.

4. Depression Affects Productivity
One of the essential signs of depression is a loss of motivation that can affect a person’s productivity and the desire to work. According to the calculations of researchers from the University of Michigan, decreased productivity in people with depression in the USA costs employers $44 billion annually.

5. Nobody Is Immune to Depression
Depression, like any mental disorder, can affect everyone. Stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Middleton and Andre Agassi openly talk about their experiences in dealing with mental health problems.

6. Depression May Tarnish Your Reputation
Mental disorders are still surrounded by negative stereotypes. The names of mental disorders are often used for insulting. Many people unreasonably associate mental disorders with cruelty.

7. Many Keep Depression to Themselves
Fear of shame or condemnation often silences people who are experiencing depression. Studies show that this fear prevents people from getting the help they need. This particularly concerns males. According to date from 2015, men more often hide suicidal thoughts than women.

8. Depression May Lead to Suicide
Mental disorders can be a serious problem, that’s why medical assistance and empathy are very important for people with this disorder. According to the National Union for Mental Illness, 90% of suicidal people suffer from mental disorders. It is shocking that 60 percent of teenagers think about suicide and as many as 8 to 10 percent actually attempt it.

9. Depression May Lead to Hallucinations
Hallucinations that a person can see in reality are usually associated with more serious diseases such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. Depression is also able to change reality, moreover, this symptom is widespread. About 20% of people suffering from depression, at least once experienced hallucinations.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that about half of adolescents who hear mysterious voices in their head suffer from various non-psychotic disorders such as depression. It’s curious that in these cases doctors use shock therapy which is much more successfully than the usual treatments such as sleep deprivation.