Depression is a mental disorder characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest, listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the leading cause of disability worldwide. With increasing modern social pressures, depression has crossed boundaries of region, age, and class, becoming an “invisible killer” threatening human health.

Global and National Prevalence: Alarming Data

According to the latest WHO statistics, about 380 million people worldwide suffer from depression, accounting for 4.4% of the total population. Prevalence varies significantly by country:

● United States: Adult prevalence is 8.4%, about 21 million people, with adolescent cases increasing by 60% in the past 10 years.

● China: About 95 million patients, but the diagnosis rate is less than 10%, with stigma in rural areas being particularly severe.

● Japan: About 10 million patients, with “overwork depression” becoming a major workplace health issue.

● India: More than 56 million patients, with 90% untreated due to lack of medical resources.

Alarmingly, after the COVID-19 pandemic, global depression rates increased by 28%, with women, adolescents, and the elderly particularly vulnerable.

Main Harms of Depression

Depression has serious impacts on both individuals and society, with the main harms including:

① Increased suicide risk: Depression is one of the major risk factors for suicide. Globally, more than 700,000 people die from suicide each year, making it the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15–29. In China, about 280,000 people die by suicide annually, of which about 40% suffer from depression.

② Decline in quality of life: Patients often experience persistent low mood, loss of interest, and lack of energy, severely impacting daily life, work, and social functioning.

③ Physical health damage: Depression may lead to appetite and weight changes, sleep disorders, fatigue, and increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

④ Socioeconomic burden: Depression results in reduced work efficiency, absenteeism, and increased healthcare costs, placing a heavy burden on society and the economy.

Emerging Treatments

Neuroregenerative approaches centered on stem cell therapy are a promising treatment method for depression following traditional therapies. Traditional medications (such as SSRIs) are limited in efficacy for 30–50% of patients. Stem cell therapy, by repairing neural damage and regulating immunity via multi-target mechanisms, has become a disruptive research direction and an important breakthrough for treatment-resistant depression.

Conventional Treatments

Treatment for depression usually includes psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, depending on the severity of symptoms and individual differences.

1. Psychotherapy

● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve mood and coping strategies.

● Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on interpersonal relationships, helping patients improve interactions with others and resolve social problems that trigger or worsen depression.

2. Medication

● Antidepressants: Such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs), designed to regulate brain chemicals and improve depressive symptoms.

● Combined treatment: For moderate to severe depression, combining psychotherapy and medication is often the most effective approach.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that depression, as a global health challenge, requires attention and support from society as a whole. Timely recognition of symptoms, seeking professional help, and adopting appropriate treatment and preventive measures are key to addressing depression. Through collective effort, more people can be helped to overcome depression and regain hope in life.