Facts About Depression

Depression is a mental illness that can seriously affect a person’s health and way of life and may even prove fatal in some cases. Depression is a complex illness and can cause feelings of low self-esteem, low-energy, pain, and a loss of interest in activities that one normally may find enjoyable. Depression is a very serious health problem and today I’ll share with you a few facts about depression.

Facts About Depression:

Depression is also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

According to studies, almost 50% of people who die by suicide had either depression or any other type of mood disorder.

2-8% of adults who are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide.

1 in 6 children between the ages of 10 and 19 suffer from depression.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19. The major cause of this is depression.

It might come as a shock to you that more than 300 million people worldwide are victims of depression.

Globally, India is the most affected country, with almost 6.5 percent of its population suffering from depression. Other major countries most affected by depression are China, United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, and Pakistan.

Women have a higher chance (Twice as likely) of being affected by depression compared to men.

Adults who are diagnosed with depression have a 64% higher chance of developing coronary heart disease.

Depression has a lot to do with genetics. For example, in identical twins, if one is diagnosed with depression then there’s a 70% chance that the other twin will also have depression at some point in his/her life.

In the United States, depression is one of the leading causes of disabilities in people aged between 15 and 44.

Depression is highly treatable and up to 80% of individuals who are treated for the illness show improvement in their symptoms.

Depression has a lot of triggers. Events like the death of a loved one, stress, emotional trauma, or any other major life changes can lead to a higher risk of developing depression.

There can be many types of depression.  Currently the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorder, a book published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), lists 9 types of depressive orders.

The 9 depressive disorders listed by the American Psychiatric Association are Major Depression, Dysthymia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Atypical Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Depression, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and Situational Depression.

Major symptoms of depression are feeling sad or hopeless, Irritability, frustration, restlessness, loss of interest, fatigue, trouble thinking or concentrating, headaches, trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Depression is usually treated by prescribing antidepressants, using traditional forms of psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy.

Depression is a serious mental illness and if you suffer from any of the symptoms, do not hesitate to register an appointment with a mental health professional. Your mental health is important.

Also, be sure to check out this article by Kristian Hall, who writes about his own struggle with depression and gives a detailed account, on How to overcome Depression?