Depression is a common mental health condition that causes symptoms of profound sadness and loneliness. People of any age and from any socioeconomic background may experience depression at some point in their lives.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects
This article will discuss how depression affects different groups of people, which other conditions it can occur with, and its economic impact on society as a whole.
Although anyone can experience depression, some individuals and groups are more likely to develop the condition than others. Depression may also affect people of different demographics in different ways.
The following sections will look at these groups in more detail.
Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that
Children with depression may also experience additional mental health conditions. For example, according to the CDC, 73.8% of children aged 3–17 years who had depression also had anxiety, while 47.2% also had behavioral problems.
Adults
In 2017, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that approximately
Among the adults who responded to the survey, 13.1% were aged 18–25 years, meaning that this age group was most at risk of experiencing depression.
The NSDUH also noted that 11.3% of adults with mixed ethnic backgrounds experienced at least one major depressive episode during 2017. This was higher than in people of other ethnicities who responded to the survey.
Males
The NSDUH survey from 2017 noted that
Additionally, a study from 2015 found that in 2010–2013,
Females
The NSDUH survey from 2017 noted that
Statistically, females are
Females are also at risk of depression after pregnancy, with
It is also important to note that
People who have certain health conditions or illnesses may be more likely to experience depression than those who do not.
If someone has received a poor prognosis or they have painful or difficult symptoms, this may affect their mood over a period of time, resulting in depression.
The following sections will look at some health conditions that may occur alongside depression.
Cancer
The American Cancer Society report that around
People who have experienced depression before may be prone to developing it again after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Coronary heart disease
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute note that adults with a depressive disorder were
Also, people with coronary heart disease who also have depression were 59% more likely to experience an adverse cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack.
Substance abuse disorder
The National Institute for Mental Health state that, in 2014,
Learn more about the other effects of substance abuse here.
Stroke
Research from the American Heart Association found that approximately
HIV
In 2019, a study found that
Parkinson’s disease
The Parkinson’s Foundation estimate that at least 50% of people with Parkinson’s disease experience some form of depression.
The symptoms of depression can have a greater effect on someone’s health status than the actual symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Eating disorders
According to one 2015 study, 71% of people with an eating disorder also had a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
The most common type of mood disorder reported was generalized anxiety disorder, which was more common in people with binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa.
Diabetes
Researchers in 2014 found that
Healthcare professionals may not notice depression in a person with diabetes, so it is important that a person talks to their doctor if they are experiencing any symptoms of depression.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
A 2018 study focusing on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) found that
Healthcare professionals may overlook depression in females with PCOS, so it is important that anyone with this condition speaks to their doctor if they are experiencing a persistent low mood.
Fibromyalgia
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) report that 20% of people with fibromyalgia also have depression or an anxiety disorder.
Suicide is very commonly associated with depression. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education report that 90% of people who die by suicide have an existing mental health condition or substance abuse disorder.
Suicide is the
People feeling depressed and experiencing suicidal thoughts should try to contact their doctor or a suicide helpline as soon as possible.
There are many treatments available for depression. The type of treatment a person receives can depend on their age, any additional health conditions they have, and the severity of their condition.
The sections below will look at some treatment statistics by demographic.
Children
According to the CDC,
A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that children aged 7–12 years with depression had a 66% rate of remission when undergoing family-based interpersonal psychotherapy.
Adults
Research from 2020 found that antidepressants helped relieve symptoms in
An NSDUH survey found that around
Males
A 2015 study found that
Researchers in 2020 discovered that males who completed at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week reduced their risk of developing depression.
Also, increased duration and intensity of physical activity further reduced the likelihood of depression in males.
Females
According to the
They also note that females are more likely than males to seek help for common mental health conditions from their primary care physician.
The ADAA report that more than 2 million people over the age of 65 have depression.
Among other factors, depression in older adults may be the result of illness, disability, or an increased dependence on others.
Doctors frequently miss depression in people of this age group, as their focus tends to be more on physical health than psychological health.
Research from the APA suggests that the economic cost of major depressive disorder is approximately $210.5 billion per year, with an estimated 6–7% of full-time workers in the U.S. experiencing a major depressive disorder in 2015.
The APA also state that depression can result in:
- reduced educational achievement
- lower earning potential
- increased teenage pregnancy
- higher unemployment
- increased work disability
Depression can affect anyone. However, certain groups of people may be more likely to experience the condition.
Females are more likely to experience depression than males. Adults aged 18–25 years are most likely to have at least one major depressive episode.
Treatment options have varying rates of success. A person seeking treatment for depression should talk to their doctor about which treatment option is best for them.
People who experience suicidal thoughts alongside their depression should seek help from their doctor as soon as possible.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.