What is the cause of depression and why is depression rising in the United States? Posted by: Karen Willis Posted to: 1144_BERKC_DED_61_SECNO DED DED61
Benjamin Adjei
Professor Karen Willis
Foundation of Critical Writing
April 22, 2014
What is the cause of depression and why is depression rising in the United States?
Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. About 9 percent of American adults form of depression. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.
According to depression statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 9 percent of adult Americans have feelings of hopelessness, despondency, and/or guilt that generate a diagnosis of depression. At any given time, about 3 percent of adults have major depression, also known as major depressive disorder, a long-lasting and severe form of depression. In fact, major depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the CDC. Understanding these very real depression statistics helps paint a fuller picture of the impact of depression in America.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the largest scientific organization dedicated to mental health issues, women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression during the course of their lifetimes. Research has shown that this is in part due to hormones. Depression risk goes up for women after pregnancy, during menstruation, and during menopause. Another reason for higher record numbers among women? They are more likely to seek help and be diagnosed. "Men are more likely to try to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, whereas women are more likely to seek help from
Professor Karen Willis
Foundation of Critical Writing
April 22, 2014
What is the cause of depression and why is depression rising in the United States?
Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. About 9 percent of American adults form of depression. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.
According to depression statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 9 percent of adult Americans have feelings of hopelessness, despondency, and/or guilt that generate a diagnosis of depression. At any given time, about 3 percent of adults have major depression, also known as major depressive disorder, a long-lasting and severe form of depression. In fact, major depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the CDC. Understanding these very real depression statistics helps paint a fuller picture of the impact of depression in America.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the largest scientific organization dedicated to mental health issues, women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression during the course of their lifetimes. Research has shown that this is in part due to hormones. Depression risk goes up for women after pregnancy, during menstruation, and during menopause. Another reason for higher record numbers among women? They are more likely to seek help and be diagnosed. "Men are more likely to try to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, whereas women are more likely to seek help from