Nawal Herzallah*
Depression, a predominant mental health issue, is a leading cause of morbidity globally. It is ranked by the global burden of disease study conducted in 2017 to fall within the top three causes of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) amongst both genders, with major depressive disorders being 2nd highest, followed by anxiety disorders. The world health oganization has identified depression as the third cause of burden of disease, with projections of being ranked first in 2030 (the global burden of disease). Depression is screened by healthcare physicians in the primary care setting through the use of measuring scales, most commonly the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which is a self-administered questionnaire. The use of PHQ-9 on adults has been reported to have a sensitivity score of 61% and a specificity of 94%. The symptoms of depression are vast and complex, ranging from a continuous feeling of low mood and helplessness, to the loss of interest in pleasurable activities to contemplating suicide. The significant limitations on an individual’s quality of life depends on the severity, with functional impairment marked on personal, work, family and social life.
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