Depression Statistics

Answer 1

Depression is a serious mental illness that can result in death. Although everyone feels sad sometimes, individuals suffering from depression feel completely helpless to change their situation, which only exasperates the feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. They're no longer interested in the things that they used to enjoy. According to the center for disease control, approximately 10% of adults suffered from depression as of March 2011. That means taht depression affects more than 15 million American adults every year. Continue reading to learn more about depression, who it affects and what to do about it.

Who's Depressed?

Clearly, depression can affect anyone. according to the Center for Disease Control, the following groups are more likely to suffer from depression:

• Women
• People between ages 45 an 64
• People without a high school education
• The previously married
• The unemployed
• Blacks and Hispanics
• The uninsured

Depression in Children

Believe it or not, but children can suffer from depression, too. In fact, about 23% of individuals under age 18 suffere from depression. And they're not all teens. A 2005 study showed that pre-school aged children made up the fastest-growing market for anti-depressants.

Children can inherit depression from their parents or develop it by being in stressful environments. Between 2004 and 2008, about 35-40% of teens suffering from depression received mental health services.

Depression in Adults

Men tend to suffer from depression because they're unemployed, divorced or separated from those they love. For every man who suffers from depression, two women do. However, men who do develop depression are three times as likely to commit suicide.

People who suffer from other mental illnesses, such as Bipolar disorder, Parkinson's or eating disorders, are twice as likely to suffer from depression. Adults who are caring for sick parents are likely to become depressed.

Depression is a serious illness and nearly 90% of people who commit suicide in any given year suffer from depression. If it continues at this rate, it will be the second most common illness in 2020. However, there is hope. It's one of the most treatable mental illnesses and 80-90% of people who get help will find relief.