Depression: Facts, Statistics, and You

September 25, 2018 admin

Sadness and grief are normal emotions experienced by every individual. But, when these emotions persist for long, evoke a feeling of loneliness, and outset severe mood swings, it defines the state of depression. Over the years, depression has become one of the most common diagnostic conditions classified as a mood disorder with long-lasting symptoms such as overwhelming sadness, loss of appetite, low energy, and a lack of interest in usual things. Statistics estimate that nearly 15% of the world’s population are a victim of a major depressive condition and about half of them lose their lives to the condition.

Major Depressive Episodes

Most veterans of the industry define major depressive episodes as a condition which persist for a period of two weeks or more. It involves losing interest in almost everything, going through severe mood swings and experiencing at least five of the below mentioned symptoms.

Facing sleeping disorder – either sleeping too much or too little
Changes in your weight and appetite – losing an interest in eating properly or even keeping a check on your weight
Decreased energy – feeling more lethargic and fatigued almost all day long
Difficulty in concentrating – unable to concentrate, make sound decisions, and even think clearly
Psychomotor agitation or retardation – a state of slow physical movements or unintentional motions which make other feel uneasy and comfortable around you
Continuously thinking about death and suicide

Prevalence of Depression

While it is believed that anxiety disorder is one of the most common types of mental illnesses across the globe, depression will soon take a leap. Here are some of the latest depression statistics:

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 300 million people around the globe are a victim of depression.
About 15% of the world’s population, including children, have experienced major depressive episodes in the last one year.
Nearly 50 percent of all individuals who are diagnosed with depression eventually go through anxiety disorder as well.

Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression is a condition wherein an individual experiences depressive disorder in line with seasonal changes. A majority of such cases are diagnosed in winters, especially amid individuals who live in colder climatic areas. Summer-type seasonal depression is less common and hence, less diagnosed.

Latest statistics related to season depressive disorders are as follows:

About 10% of the world’s population experiences seasonal depression disorder in any given year.
Nine out of every ten individuals with seasonal depression are women.
In general, people aging between 20 and 30 years are more likely to experience seasonal depression.

Postpartum Depression Statistics

Experiencing stress, exhaustion, sadness, and loneliness, are common emotions a woman experiences after giving birth to a baby. But, some women experience postpartum depression, which makes it quite difficult for them to deal with. Here are some statistics related to postpartum depression:

One out of every seven women experiences the condition of postpartum depression.
Nearly 50% of the women who’re diagnosed with postpartum depression have never been through a state of depression before.
About half of these women start experiencing the symptoms of during postpartum depression during their pregnancy itself.

Suicide and Self-Harm

Depression, if left untreated can increase the chances of an individual’s risk of considering suicide and ending their life. Here are some of the latest statistics on suicidal cases registered in the last one year:

Suicide stands among the leading causes of death across the globe.
It’s evidently the second most common cause of death amid individuals between 15 and 24 years of age.
Millions of people lose their lives to untreated major depressive episodes.
40 percent of the individuals who attempt suicide have definitely tried ending their life before as well.
Alcoholics and drug addicts are nearly six times more like to attempt suicide than people who do not have any drug or alcohol problems.
Eight out of every ten individuals considering suicide do give some prominent signs of their intentions.
Females are twice more likely to attempt suicide than males.

Treatment for Depression

Depression is very much treatable in nature. But, only about 50% of the people who are diagnosed with depression seek or get proper treatment. But those who do seek treatment do not try committing suicide or ending their life again. Studies and surveys showcase that a combination of talk therapy and medications can effectively treat depression.

Here are some recent statistics on treatment of depression:

Only one in every five individuals seek and receive proper depression treatment.
6 percent of people with major depressive episodes are treated with medications only.
Talk therapy has a stronger impact on a person’s mind than medications. A combination of the two is the best that one can seek.
About 37% of individuals with a depressive condition receive no treatment at all.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Nowadays, depression is quite common amid children and adolescents. Depression can begin during childhood and cause great damage to a child’s mind. Girls are more likely to experience depression as compared to boys. There’s particularly a sharp increase in depressive episodes in girls just after they hit their puberty.

Looking at the prevailing conditions and increasing numbers, many leading health organizations of the world recommend regular depression screening for all individuals between 11 and 21 year of age given the fact that most symptoms of depression among children are often missed by adults including teachers, coaches, and even doctors.

Here are some of the recent statistics on depression recoded amid children and adolescents:

Approximately 5 million children between 12 and 17 years of age experience at least one major depressive episode once in their lifetime.
2 to 3% of children aging between 6 to 12 years are likely to have serious depression.
25% of adolescent girls experience major depressive episodes.
12% of adolescent boys experience major depressive episodes.
Only 40% of children and adolescents with depression get treated properly.
Only 25% of children who experience depression see a health care professional for treatment. The rest hide their problem and eventually lose themselves to this fatal condition.

The bottom line, depression is a chronic condition which certainly cannot and should not be ignored. Depression can alter your thought and lifestyle, and cause grave damage to your overall personality. Seeking assistance and getting treated at the earliest is the best way to deal with this fatal condition and lead a healthy, happy life again.a