Depression Statistics

Depression Statistics - Important Information You May Not Be Aware Of

The prevalence of depression and other mental health disorders is causing much distress to people. Depression affects people of all ages, even those who don’t have family history of this mental illness. It can strike anyone when triggered, and can affect a person’s life in so many ways. Many studies have been done by various health institutions; many of which resulted in an alarming depression statistics.

In the United States alone, around 10% of the country’s total population of age 18 years and older develop depressive symptoms. In this country, depression often exists with anxiety and panic disorders, and more with substance abuse.

Below are some important information that will make you realize just how close anyone can suffer from depression and why it has caused much alarm to many people. These are all based on the studies done by various institutions, including the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centre for Mental Health Services.

Depression in Children

Most parents may not be aware of but depression also hits children. Children can either inherit this illness from their parents or just develop it as a result of being overly exposed to a stressful environment. Statistics show that for every 33 children, there’s at least one who will suffer from clinical depression.

Depression in Women

Women have higher risks of developing depression compared to men. Specifically, statistics show that for every man who suffers from depression, two women will. And compared to single women, married women especially those who just had birth are likely to suffer from depression, including postpartum depression.

Depression in Men

The common reasons why men suffer from depression include unemployment, forced retirement, divorce, or separation from their immediate family. While women have higher risks of developing depression, suicidal tendencies in men are higher; the rate of which is three times than that of women. Also, men tend to develop cardiovascular diseases after they are diagnosed with depression.

Depression in Elderly People

Apart from the health problems that come with old age, elderly people also suffer from depression. They have higher suicidal tendencies as triggered by the depression they’re suffering. And compared to children and adults, the cost that comes with the treatment of depression in elderly is 50% higher. On the other hand, those who take care of the elderly also tend to develop depressive symptoms.

Depression in People with Pre-existing Health Problems

People with health problems such as Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, cancer, and heart diseases have depression tendencies. It is also common among those with substance abuse disorders.

Meanwhile, people suffering from depression have higher possibilities of developing heart attacks. Severe depression also increases the possibility of a person dying within months after suffering from the heart attack.

Despite the many treatment programs and medications that have been introduced, depression statistics have not improved. In fact, the figures people may know are just reflections of the rate of depression that affects a certain population. There’s really no way to tell the exact number of depression sufferers, unless, of course, an in-depth study is done in every area of every country. It is estimated that come 2020, depression will be the most common health problem in the world.

In summary

While these depression statistics may cause you alarm, you should also take hope from the fact that many courses of treaments - both drugs and therapy - have shown significant results for many depression sufferers. There are new drugs coming on to the market on a regular basis and many of these have been clinically shown to help a wide cross section of individuals. Your health care provider is by far the best person to speak to - and we encourage you to do so.

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A Definition of Depression and Its Many Forms

A good definition of depression is that it is an illness that affects mood, thoughts, behavior, and overall health. It is a feeling of worthlessness, sadness or feeling “blue”. All of us may experience depression but the degree of depression we feel varies, depending on our personalities. People who suffer from this condition feel excess worry, have low self-esteem, and become over dependent to others.

Depression is normal when it is experienced for not more than around two weeks. However, when the person is unable to function in his everyday activities and has lost interest in things that he used to get pleasure from, this condition is now called clinical depression. This is identified as a major depression that needs a professional help to treat such condition. The person suffering from such condition experiences change in behavior, mood, perception and feelings. Distinctive changes include sleeping patterns, changes in eating habits, feeling of unhappiness, loss of energy and inability to concentrate or make decisions. When clinical depression is at its worst, it may even influence someone to attempt suicide.

Oftentimes, depression results from a combination of things. The reasons is not clear and are quite complex. Often, depression is caused by psychological, environmental or genetic factors. It is the result of an imbalance of chemical called neurotransmitters that carries signals to the brain and nerves.

Other factors, such as events, can cause depression. These include death of a loved one, financial problem, or other changes in life like getting married or starting a new job. Physical conditions can also contribute partly because of the physical weakness that weakens the immune system and makes pain harder.

There are several types of depression. Although they vary in terms of the period the symptoms are experienced and the severity of symptoms felt, all these types definitely need treatment and professional help. Here are the types of depression.

Major Depression. People with major depression feel constant sense of hopelessness and are irritable. They usually lose interest in pleasurable activities. Major depression is the most severe type of depression. Although it usually occurs once in a lifetime, some people experience repeated episodes.

Dysthymia. It has the same symptoms as major depression but is less severe. It is ,however, more chronic as it stays for a longer period of time. Individual may experience different symptoms, including excessive crying, persistent sadness, social withdrawal and thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar Disorder. It is a brain disorder that causes shifts in energy, mood and activity levels. It also involves elation of depression and mania. The mood swings may last for weeks or months and can cause great trouble even in the lives of the people around the ill person. However, with effective treatment, the person can still live a normal life despite the disorder.

Seasonal Depression. It is a rare type of depression that is experienced at a certain time of the year, such as winter during which the production of “happy hormones” is low due to lack of sunlight.

Psychotic depression. It is a severe depressive illness that has delusions and hallucinations experienced at the same time.

While the depression statistics make scary reading, this condition can actually be treated. The difficult part is recognizing or diagnosing the condition. Thus, knowing the symptoms of this condition is important. The definition of depression above should also help you determine whether you are suffering from this condition. Documenting the symptoms felt should provide the physician with extended information that can help in diagnosing the illness early.

Exercise and Depression - How Exercise Can Help You Overcome Depression

Many people don’t take depression seriously when they should. What they are not aware of is that depression is more than just the feeling of being down and sad. It is a serious illness that requires immediate attention and treatment. Depression could go on for days, weeks, months, or longer and could affect the sufferer in many ways. Countless treatments are available, from antidepressant medications to regular sessions with therapists. But what’s probably the easiest and least expensive method is exercise. Here’s how you can better understand the relationship between exercise and depression, how you can manage the illness through exercise, and how you can eventually overcome depression through helpful workouts.

Depression is considered a mental disorder affecting many aspects of your life, from eating and sleeping to dealing with other people. The symptoms may vary from people to people but the most common symptoms include feelings of guilt and worthlessness; persistent sadness and anxiousness; restlessness and irritability; and insomnia or oversleeping. Although depression are said to be hereditary, there are also times when people who don’t have any family history can suffer from it. Those who are easily overwhelmed with stress and have low self-esteem tend to develop depression easily.

Most people resort to either medications or therapies when diagnosed with such condition. However, many people are not aware that the easiest way to manage this illness is through exercise. It may be the last thing that you will do but regular exercise will not only keep you healthy, but will also provide you immediate relief. Research shows that exercise can help a person fight mild to moderate depression. Exercise reduces the amount of immune system chemicals that worsen the depression and increases the temperature of the body, which then will keep you calm.

A 15-minute exercise is enough to improve your mood and to make you sleep better. This is important as sleeping is among the most common issue associated with depression. It will also help you gain back your confidence and interact more with other people. Exercise is also a good distraction that will keep your mind away from worries and negative thoughts.

The most challenging part of doing this method is getting the courage to get up and start moving. But the only way to address this is for you to motivate yourself and think about the many benefits you can get once you’ve gotten past the depression.

Exercise doesn’t always mean extraneous activities like running, jogging, weightlifting, and even enrolling in a fitness gym. A simple walk around the neighbourhood is a good way to start. You can also do gardening and wash your car. You can do yoga exercises to help you relax your body or do aerobics so you can release good hormones. What’s really important is that you start from simple exercises, gradually increasing its difficulty as you go on.

There is really no right or wrong exercises that will help you manage depression. For as long as you enjoy what you do and it doesn’t give you a hard time, you can well help yourself get over depression.

There have been a number of studies done to determine the relationship between exercise and depression, and all showed positive results. To sum it all up, exercise is sure to help you feel better, and improve your self-esteem and mental functioning.