TY - JOUR
T1 - Mental health update – update on depression with a focus on escitalopram
AU - Skosana, P. P.
AU - Shirindza, N.
AU - Abraham, V.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Authors.
PY - 2024/9/1
Y1 - 2024/9/1
N2 - Depression is one of the heterogenous diseases included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Depression affects more than 300 million people globally. Almost 10% of the total burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders, with depression disorders being the most diagnosed. Symptoms may include feelings of worthlessness, concentration and sleep difficulties, and suicidal ideation. There are different types of depression, with major depression being the most prevalent. The potential pathogenesis has been explored in various research, and it encompasses hypotheses from different angles such as genetics, neurotransmitters and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, among other contributing factors. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are effective for depression, however, antidepressant drugs (ADs) remain the primary treatment, particularly the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), for example escitalopram. Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioural and physical health problems that affect every area of that individual’s life. This review article aims to summarise the hypotheses in the pathogenesis of depression and discuss its treatment, with particular focus on escitalopram.
AB - Depression is one of the heterogenous diseases included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Depression affects more than 300 million people globally. Almost 10% of the total burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders, with depression disorders being the most diagnosed. Symptoms may include feelings of worthlessness, concentration and sleep difficulties, and suicidal ideation. There are different types of depression, with major depression being the most prevalent. The potential pathogenesis has been explored in various research, and it encompasses hypotheses from different angles such as genetics, neurotransmitters and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, among other contributing factors. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are effective for depression, however, antidepressant drugs (ADs) remain the primary treatment, particularly the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), for example escitalopram. Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioural and physical health problems that affect every area of that individual’s life. This review article aims to summarise the hypotheses in the pathogenesis of depression and discuss its treatment, with particular focus on escitalopram.
KW - antidepressant therapy
KW - depression
KW - escitalopram
KW - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203245827&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.36303/SAPJ.0811
DO - 10.36303/SAPJ.0811
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85203245827
SN - 2221-5875
VL - 91
SP - 19
EP - 25
JO - SA Pharmaceutical Journal
JF - SA Pharmaceutical Journal
IS - 4
ER -