Depression Statistics Show That You Will Be Affected By This Illness

In today's society, depression is so prevelent that you or someone close to you does, or will, suffer from depression and it will affect your life. A study in performed by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that, statistically, every single person will have to deal with their own depression or help someone close to them with their illness. The statistics seem to back this in other developed nations such as the United States and Europe.

And don't just look at yourself or other adults to see who has or may suffer from this terrbible mental illness. While a major depressive disorder is the leading cuase of disability in the US, the faster growing sector for ant-depressant usage is pre-school children.

It is estimated that well over one million kids of the pre-school age bracket - which is over 4% of the total number - can be classified as clinically depressed. These depression statistics are shocking - and they get worse.

For instance, the rate of increase of depression in our children is, occording to Harvard, going up at an amzing pace of over 20% per annum.

Things are getting worse becuase people are not getting the treatment they need. Fully 80 percent of peole who are suffering are doing it without professional help - and there are many reasons for this. The main reason is simple embarrassment. Over 40% of women suffering symptoms of depression will not ask for (or recieve) help as they are embarrassed. Over 50% of men and women won't seek help as they believe depression is some how a "weakness" in their personaility - whioh, of course, it is not. And, to top it off, African-American males will not seek help - with over 90% of sufferers never geting any help at all.

This has to change and everyone needs to be educated that depression is more that an illness of the mind. It can, and does, impact the rest of the body. New studies are showing clear links between depression and coronary disease and it is estimate by some that depressive illness could be the second largest cuase of heart related deaths in the next 10 years.

Other illnesses are also showing links to depression. Certain types of cancer such as breast, back pain and osteoporosis, various eye related conditions and even diabetes and amonsgt the body-realted illness that can be caused by depression.

If you feel or are showing symptoms of depression, do not wait to see a professional. The depression statistics are bad, but don't let yourself be one of them that is not getting treatment and cured.

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