Depression causes ’47 sick days a year’ in Spain

DEPRESSION in Spain costs sufferers around 47 days of complete disability each year, and 60 days of partial disability, according to new figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Margalida Gili, professor of Social Psychology at the University of the Balearic Islands, said: “Depression is associated with a significant level of disability, with substantial implications for the quality of life of these patients and their family, work and social environment.”

The WHO study showed disability rates from depression were higher than those for other chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and back pain.

In total, 29 per cent of patients seeing their GP did so for a depressive complaint.