Most of India's population affected by depression

Bhopal, Apr 22 (UNI) Cut-throat competition, unemployment, increasing tension and break-up of families is resulting in most of India's population being affected by depression, including a high percentage of youth.

''Upto 80 per cent of such youths commit suicide,'' the local Gandhi Medical College's Psychiatry Department Head R N Sahu told mediapersons here today. He is convenor of a conference beginning here on April 26 under the aegis of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry.

Pointing out that depression mostly affected adolescents and youth, he added that psychological disorders were on the ascendant and depression constituted a major part. People affected by cardiac disorders, diabetes, sexual ailments, joint pain and other diseases also suffered depression.

''If timely attention is not paid then by 2020 India will have the largest number of depression sufferers,'' said Dr Sahu while quoting the World Health Organisation.

UNI AG-AC 1658