Health by the Numbers: Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition in the U.S. and Canada. It significantly affects more women than men. Depression causes mood-related symptoms, such as prolonged sadness, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and trouble thinking, concentrating, and making decisions. Depression also adversely affects other diseases, increasing mortality and imposing a steep economical burden on society due to lost earnings and productivity.

Here's a snapshot of depression:

  • 6.4: Percent of adults who had depression in 2008.
  • 32: Average age of onset.
  • 11.2: Percent of 13 to 18 years old with depression.
  • 11: Percent of Americans 12 and older who took antidepressant medications between 2005 and 2008; they are the second most commonly prescribed medicines.
  • 51.7: Percent of depressed individuals who receive treatment.
  • 3rd: Most important cause of disease burden in the world in 2004, according to the World Health Organization (8th place in low-income countries, but 1st place in middle- to high-income countries)
  • 90: Percent of people who commit suicide have a mental health disorder, such as depression, or substance abuse problems.
  • 80: Percent of antidepressant prescriptions are written by a medical professional who is not a psychiatrist.
  • 14: Percent of people who take antidepressants have done so for 10 or more years.

 

 

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "Major Depressive Disorder Among Adults." Web. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1MDD_ADULT.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Major Depressive Disorder in Children." Web.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1MDD_CHILD.shtml

Centers for Disease Control. "Depression Among Women of Reproductive Age and Postpartum Depression." Web. 1 December 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/Depression/

Centers for Disease Control. "An Estimated 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Report Depression." Web. 31 March 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsDepression/

Centers for Disease Control. "Burden of Mental Illness." Web. 1 July 2011.
http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics/burden.htm

National Institute of Mental Health. "Antidepressants: A Complicated Picture." Blog. 6 December 2011. Web. 20 April 2012.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2011/antidepressants-a-complicated-picture.shtml

Centers for Disease Control. "Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury." Web. 27 January 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm