Facts and Statistics About Depression

Facts and Statistics About Depression

Sadness and grief can be a difficult emotions to deal with, especially if they’ve caused some great damage to one’s life – physically, emotionally or mentally. But, these feelings disappear with time. Depression or clinically termed as major depressive disorder, is something beyond. It’s a condition that persists and brings along long-lasting symptoms, including overwhelming sadness, loss of appetite, low energy and a lack of interest in one’s work and social life.

Statistics state that nearly 20 percent of the world’s population is a victim of depression. A major chunk of which comprises of children and the working class. At the same time, reports also claim that women are more likely to experience episodes of depression as compared to men.

Types of Depression

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder or otherwise known as dysthymia is one of the most common types of depressions suffered by people across the globe.

• In this condition a person may experience a single bout of major depression or recurring episodes.
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• The severity of the condition is comparatively low.
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• The condition persists for two years or more.
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• It is more common amid women than men, and nearly 50 percent of the cases registered are considered serious.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder is the second most common type of depression suffered by individuals.

• Statistics state that nearly 5 percent of depression cases registered across the world have bipolar disorder.
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• 83 percent of these cases are considered severe.
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• The condition occurs equally in men and women, and involves the development of maniac, or energized mood swing episodes.
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• In some cases, energized mood swings are either preceded or followed by episodes of depression, which further determine the type of bipolar disorder a person has.

Seasonal depression

Seasonal depression, as the name suggests, is a kind of depression disorder followed by seasonal episodes of mood swings.

• The condition is quite uncommon and only occurs in about 5 percent of the people.
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• It typically happens during the autumn and lasts throughout the winter. The condition rarely occurs in summer and the spring season.
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• Geographically, seasonal depression is more common among people living near the equator than those living the areas away.
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• 4 out of 5 people with the condition are women.

Postpartum depression

As many as 80 percent of the expecting mothers experience baby blues, symptoms of which include fatigue, severe mood swings and sadness. While these feelings usually pass within a couple of weeks, if they stay, the condition is known as postpartum depression.

• About 20 percent of new mothers experience depression episodes within the first three months of childbirth. While the percent of new fathers experiencing this condition is only 7-10 percent.
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• Common symptoms of postpartum depression include lack of appetite, withdrawal of feelings, and onset of negative thoughts, severe mood swings, and fatigue.

Psychotic depression

Psychotic depression is one of the most fatal types of depression disorder.

• This occurs when an individual experiences bipolar disorder or major depression, along with hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.
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• About 25 percent of patients admitted to medical facilities due to depression have psychotic depression disorder.
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• 1 out of every 13 people across the world experience a psychotic episode before the age 75.

Symptoms of depression

A person may have depression if he/she experiences sadness or emptiness which doesn’t disappear within a couple of weeks. Other emotional symptoms of depression include:

• Staying extremely irritated and overreacting on small things
• Experiencing anxiety and restlessness
• Facing trouble with anger management
• Losing interest in activities, including sexual desire
• Lingering on the past or things which have gone wrong
• Constantly thinking about ways to end life

Physical symptoms include:

• Weight gain or loss
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Debilitating fatigue
• Unexplained aches and pains

Studies prove that depression in children and adolescents causes development of low self-esteem, feeling guilty, facing difficulty in concentrating and staying away from social gathering. Depression, amid older adults, showcases symptoms like unexplained memory loss, sleeping disorder or withdrawal from day-to-day activities.

Causes and risk factors for depression

A number of factors cause depression. Altered brain chemistry, hormonal changes, and genetics play an important role. Other risk factors include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer
• Borderline personality disorder
• Family history of depression
• Certain prescription medications
• Low self-esteem
• Alcohol or drug use disorders

Diagnosing depression

Anyone experiencing episodes of depression must consult a physician at the earliest. Make an appointment if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks at a stretch. A simple physical exam and some blood tests can help in confirming or ruling out health problems which can or may contribute to depression.

According to a report published by one of the leading mental healthcare facilities of the world, the diagnosis of depression must include four other changes in one’s usual functioning to confirm the disorder. These involve:

• Disrupted sleeping and/or eating habits
• Lack of energy and low concentration level
• Problem with one’s self-image
• Recurring thoughts of suicide

Treatment of depression

Depression is a treatable disorder. The most common treatment for this problem is taking anti-depression medications and psychological counseling.

• 40 to 60 percent of adults with moderate to severe depression, who took antidepressants displayed improvement in their condition within six to eight weeks.
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• On the other hand, about 20 to 40 percent of people witnessed improvement in their symptoms and thoughts by simply attending regular counseling sessions.

Medical practitioners at the American Psychiatric Association suggest that a combination of both, psychological counseling and taking antidepressants are, on average, more effective, especially in case of older adults. However, each type of treatment has roughly the same kind of effectiveness.

Complications

Chronic and prolonged depression disorder can have a devastating effect on one’s physical and mental health. Depression, if left untreated, can put one’s life at risk. Many leading medical associations of the United States of America state that nearly 50 percent of the suicide cases registered each year in the country were a cause of severe depression. Other related complications include:

• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Chronic headache or pain in other parts of the body
• Social isolation
• Attempted suicide or suicide
• Trouble facing individuals at school or work
• Self-mutilation
• Experiencing family or relationship problems
• Phobias, panic disorders, and anxiety attack