Depression In Society

Depression is the number one cause of disability around the world, affecting 100 million people at any given time. In the United States, 7-10% of adults are clinically depressed, about 17-20 million people. It's difficult to gather accurate numbers, as many people ignore or deny their symptoms for a variety of reasons. Nonetheless, of all the people who are recognized as clinically depressed, only one fifth will receive appropriate treatment even though it can have a very negative impact on their work and home life.

No matter what your age or station in life, depression can strike. One in five adult women experience it but only a third of those will seek help. Men also spiral into depression, usually those who are divorced, separated or widowed; they are three times more likely than women to attempt to and succeed ending their lives. Retired and unemployed persons of both sexes have increased risk of sinking into depression.

The elderly are especially susceptible, especially if they are relatively isolated as so many are. Compounding their difficulties, physicians often don't listen when elders try to discuss their feelings, preferring to focus on physical symptoms. Because of their reduced social activities, chances of anyone noticing their distress is lower than it would be with younger people. Coming from a generation that many time considered depression and other mental illnesses a sign of weakness and self-indulgence, many elders won’t discuss their symptoms at all.

Children are not immune to depression, either, and twice as likely to be depressed if they live with only one of their parents or if both parents are unemployed. Those children that are affected usually have parents with few skills and lower incomes and experience stress at home and school, struggling with poor nutrition and rejection from their peers.

Teens seem to be especially vulnerable. Sixty one percent of 13-15 year olds say they frequently feel helpless and sad, thirty-six percent feel they have nothing to look forward to in the future and thirty-four percent think seriously about suicide. Compounding the disease, many families don't discuss these feelings, thinking that voicing their concern could make the situation worse. Depressed teens often want to talk but don’t know how to bring up the subject or fear ridicule and rejection. Boys and girls have equal chances of being hit with depression but as girls mature, their chances increase dramatically.

As you can see, depression has no respect for age, sex, social or economic status. The only thing doctors are sure of is that depression can be triggered by a chemical imbalance in the brain and if left untreated, only gets worse.