Depressão compreendida como distúrbio e doença do século.

Abstract

In the midst of a current situation in which there is a growing increase in the cases of depression, and a high rate of disability is seen, due to several demands integrated to this problem, including the assistance difficulty in mental health, there is a moment in that unskilled professionals sometimes need to monitor and treat these patients in primary care. The present study highlighted the increasing numbers of people suffering from depression, causing an etiological reflection and a spread of information about the disease, aiming to review the current scientific literature from the perspective of depression as a disorder or disease of the century, using of the descriptive method with qualitative approach of narrative nature, which listed bibliographical references considered current, with a cut between 2000 and 2019, which discuss the social and scientific historical analysis of depression as pathology, including the etiology and predisposing factors, discussing medicalization in the treatment of the disease and seeking strategies for the de-medicalization of care. It was found in studies listed the real growth of demand and concern with this problem, highlighting the approach of the patient and family in general practice, pointing out that there is an increase in self-medication in some cases, often without need, using from psychotropic to symptoms considered common in human routine. In addition, depression is an aggravating factor for chronic diseases, with onset during their treatment, thus concluding the importance of preventing it in these situations, showing the need for greater commitment of all professionals involved in the management of the disease. disease, which is long lasting / chronic and covers the patient, the family and the whole society.