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Depression\u2014a mental health disorder that negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts\u2014 affects about 1 in 15 adults in any given year, with 1 in 6 experiencing it at some time in their life. About 3.4% of the world\u2019s population has depression, which is characterized by:\n\u2022 Sad, worthless, and guilty feeling
\n\u2022 Insomnia or sleeping too much
\n\u2022 Fatigue
\n\u2022 Difficulty thinking or concentrating
\n\u2022 No interest in activities once enjoyed
\n\u2022 Changes in appetite
\n\u2022 Slowed movements and speech
\n\u2022 Suicidal thoughts
\nSymptoms must last at least two weeks for it to be diagnosed as depression, and treatment options include anti-depressants, psychotherapy and\/or cognitive behavioral therapy (often combined with anti-depressants), and electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression cases not responding to other treatments.
\nWhile Ukraine (6.3%), U.S.A (5.9%)., Estonia, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Portugal, Belarus, Finland, and Lithuania have the highest rates of depression, the countries with lowest rates are Solomon Islands (2.9%), Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vanautu, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, Laos, NEPAL (3.2%), and the Philippines (3.3%).
\nAccording to the World Population Review, \u201ccountries with the lowest rates have just recently added mental health screening and treatment services to their health care infrastructure, which in part, could explain the reason for the low depression rates.\u201d Conversely, countries with quality mental health care services could have high rates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"