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Depression Facts & Figures

Depression is a medical illness that involves both the body and the mind. It can cause a variety of physical and emotional problems, and it generally requires long-term treatment. Most people with depression have many episodes throughout their lifetime, not just one isolated episode. Depression affects millions of Americans. In fact, it is likely that you are either affected by depression yourself, or that you have been affected by the depression of a loved one at some time in your life.

  1. The Facts

    • According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada between the ages of 15 and 44. Mood disorders affect more than 20 million Americans. Depressive disorders often occur along with other disorders, such as substance abuse or anxiety disorders.

    Significance

    • Major depressive disorders affect more than 14 million American adults. It is more prevalent in women than men. It is responsible for more absenteeism from work than almost any other disorder. More and more illnesses are being linked to depression, such as heart disease, back pain and some forms of cancer. Most people who eventually commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder. Almost half of the people who are depressed refuse to seek help, because it is seen as personal weakness.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of depression can vary greatly from one person to the next. Common symptoms include loss of interest in work or school, feeling hopeless or crying for extended periods of time for no apparent reason. You may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and you may be restless or irritable.

    Diagnosis

    • If your doctor believes you may be suffering from depression, he will run a variety of physical and psychological exams. Lab tests may be ordered, such as blood count, drug screening or check of thyroid function to rule out physical causes. You will have a psychological evaluation, which will help your doctor determine if you have major depression or another condition such as bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder or postpartum depression.

    Untreated Depression

    • Untreated depression can lead to many complications. It can lead to family conflicts, relationship problems, anxiety or substance abuse. Severe cases of untreated depression can result in physical illness or suicide.

    Treatments

    • Treatments for depression include medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is sometimes combined with other types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy may be used for patients who don't get better with medication.

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