KARACHI: Experts on Thursday said depression accounted for six per cent of mental illnesses in the country while other issues like unemployment, political and economic uncertainty, stressful working conditions and gender discrimination were making the country increasingly depressed.

`Depression is becoming a common global issue with 350 million people affected,` said Dr Iqbal Afridi, president-elect of the Pakistan Psychiatry Society at a press briefing at the Karachi Press Club ahead of the World Mental Health Day being observed on Oct 10.

Dr Afridi, who heads the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre`s psychiatry department, added that almost one million lives were lost every year due to suicides committed by persons suffering from mental disorders.

Dr Raza ur Rehman, head of the Dow University of Health Sciences` psychiatry department, said a depressive disorder was an illness that involved the body, mood and thoughts.

`It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, and the way one feels about himself and other things. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years.

Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people, he said.

Speakers said depressive disorders often started at a young age and they were recurring. They added that research in developing countries suggested that maternal depression might be a risk factor for poor growth in young children.

Dr Naim Siddiqi, a consultant psychiatrist, said depression could lead to substantial impairments in one`s ability to look after his everyday responsibilities.

`Depression`s treatment consists of basic psychosocial support combined with antidepressant medication or psychotherapy,` he added.