DEPRESSION ? AN EQUAL OPPORTUNISTIC KILLER

Depression has been recognized as a distinct pathological entity from early Egyptian times. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder. Major depression is a mood disorder characterized by a sense of paucity, melancholia, nihilist, decreased activity, worrywart, anhedonia and sadness. Each year, more than 100 million people worldwide develop clinical depression. It is estimated that during lifetime 8% - 20% of the general population experience at least one clinically significant episode of depression. Depressive disorder has significant potential morbidity and mortality. Major depression causes the fourth-highest burden of disease among all medical diseases. It is expected to rise to second place, preceded only by cardiovascular disease. Depression severely disrupts and adversely alter the life of an individual, sometimes to such an extent that suicide is result or attempted. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 20-35 years. Depressive disorder is a major factor in around 50% of these deaths. The search for an extended understanding of the causes of depression, and for the development of additional effective treatments is highly significant. Clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest stress is a key mediator in the pathophysiology of depression.