MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS IN THE UNITED STATES!
Louder for those in the back please!
Yes, Major Depressive Disorder (or MDD for short) is increasing in America, is one of the most common mental health disorders, and is the LEADING CAUSE of disability in the U.S for individuals ages 15-45.
Yet, it is still over-stigmatized, ignored, and not taken seriously in America. Despite millions of Americans experiencing depression each year, the effect of this mental health issue goes minimized. Depression can impact physical health, families, relationships, work-life, infertility, and can lead to suicide, which is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-34.
This is an epidemic that continues to grow. In 2017, 17.3 million adults in the US had at least one major depressive episode, with females reporting a higher prevalence (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%). MDD episodes were highest among individuals aged 18-25 with a prevalence of 13.1%. Also in 2017, 11 million US adults reported at least one MDD episode with SEVERE impairment. Compared to an MDD episode without severe impairment, 64% had reported a severe impairment, while only 36% reported depression without severe impairment. And still, 35% of the population experiencing MDD went without treatment.
Although this is a serious mental illness that has dire effects on individuals and their loved ones, there is much shame and embarrassment that is reported by those experiencing it. Individuals who experience depression often feel misunderstood or that they are not taken seriously by their social groups or health care providers. They are often misguided towards a medication-only approach, or led to believe they need to just “suck it up”. It can be difficult for someone who has never experienced depression to understand how it impacts the individual experiencing it.
For the next 4 weeks, I will be discussing various aspects of depression in a new blog series. This series is meant to educate about depression, the various types of depression and treatments for depression, as well as raise awareness of this epidemic.
References:
NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness)