What is Major Depressive Disorder?

young man sitting down on the floor showing sign of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression or major depression, is a mental health condition. Major depressive disorder affects millions of people worldwide. It is a serious illness that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

What are the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

The symptoms of major depressive disorder can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
  • Changes in appetite and weight
  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

To be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a person must experience at least five of these symptoms for at least two weeks.

How is Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosed?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is used by mental health professionals to diagnose major depressive disorder. The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, including the presence of specific symptoms and the duration of those symptoms.

What are the Causes of Major Depressive Disorder?

The exact cause of major depressive disorder is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and biological factors. Some risk factors for major depressive disorder include:

  • Family history of depression
  • Trauma or stressful life events
  • Chronic illness or pain
  • Substance abuse
  • Imbalances in brain chemicals

How is Major Depressive Disorder Treated?

Treatment for major depressive disorder may include a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Antidepressant medications can help balance brain chemicals and improve symptoms. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help individuals learn coping skills and develop a more positive outlook. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also help improve symptoms of major depressive disorder.

If you are experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. With the right treatment, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What is the Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 3.8% of the population experience depression, including 5% of adults (4% among men and 6% among women), and 5.7% of adults older than 60 years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.

In the United States, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that in 2021, 14.5 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 5.7% of all U.S. adults. Almost 49% of adults with MDD are not receiving treatment.

MDD is a significant public health concern, and its prevalence is expected to increase in the coming years. The WHO has projected that MDD will rank first among all diseases in terms of the burden of disease worldwide by 2030.

While the prevalence of MDD is high, it is essential to note that there are effective treatments available for this mental illness. Seeking treatment can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Demographics and Major Depressive Disorder

Depression in Different Age Groups

Major depressive disorder (MDD) can affect individuals of all ages. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2021, an estimated 5.7% of all U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. However, depression rates vary across different age groups.

Children and adolescents can also experience depression. In fact, MDD is the leading cause of disability worldwide as measured by Years Lived with Disability. Approximately 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2021.

Depression and Gender

Depression rates also differ between genders. Women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. In 2021, an estimated 7.3% of women had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year, compared to 4.1% of men.

Depression and Race

Depression rates also vary by race. According to Mental Health America, the prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.37% in New Jersey to 26.86% in Utah. Additionally, MDD affects more than 21 million American adults or about 8.4% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.

Living with Major Depressive Disorder

How does major depressive disorder affect your daily life? This mental health condition can have a significant impact on your ability to function and engage in social activities. It can cause a loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed, and can lead to feelings of distress and hopelessness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 14.5 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 5.7% of all U.S. adults.

Living with major depressive disorder can be challenging, and it is important to seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms. Treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

In addition to seeking treatment, there are steps you can take to manage your condition on a daily basis. These may include:

  • Engaging in regular physical activity
  • Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Avoiding drugs and alcohol
  • Seeking support from family and friends

It is also important to be aware of the risk of self-harm and suicide associated with major depressive disorder. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it is important to seek immediate help from a mental health professional or emergency services.

Living with major depressive disorder can be challenging, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

How Many People Are Affected By Major Depressive Disorder?

Apr 20, 2024

Depression

Written by: Sabino Recovery

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

young man sitting down on the floor showing sign of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression or major depression, is a mental health condition. Major depressive disorder affects millions of people worldwide. It is a serious illness that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

What are the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

The symptoms of major depressive disorder can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness

  • Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable

  • Changes in appetite and weight

  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping

  • Fatigue or loss of energy

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

To be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a person must experience at least five of these symptoms for at least two weeks.

How is Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosed?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is used by mental health professionals to diagnose major depressive disorder. The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, including the presence of specific symptoms and the duration of those symptoms.

What are the Causes of Major Depressive Disorder?

The exact cause of major depressive disorder is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and biological factors. Some risk factors for major depressive disorder include:

  • Family history of depression

  • Trauma or stressful life events

  • Chronic illness or pain

  • Substance abuse

  • Imbalances in brain chemicals

How is Major Depressive Disorder Treated?

Treatment for major depressive disorder may include a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Antidepressant medications can help balance brain chemicals and improve symptoms. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help individuals learn coping skills and develop a more positive outlook. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also help improve symptoms of major depressive disorder.

If you are experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. With the right treatment, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What is the Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 3.8% of the population experience depression, including 5% of adults (4% among men and 6% among women), and 5.7% of adults older than 60 years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.

In the United States, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that in 2021, 14.5 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 5.7% of all U.S. adults. Almost 49% of adults with MDD are not receiving treatment.

MDD is a significant public health concern, and its prevalence is expected to increase in the coming years. The WHO has projected that MDD will rank first among all diseases in terms of the burden of disease worldwide by 2030.

While the prevalence of MDD is high, it is essential to note that there are effective treatments available for this mental illness. Seeking treatment can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Demographics and Major Depressive Disorder

Depression in Different Age Groups

Major depressive disorder (MDD) can affect individuals of all ages. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2021, an estimated 5.7% of all U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. However, depression rates vary across different age groups.

Children and adolescents can also experience depression. In fact, MDD is the leading cause of disability worldwide as measured by Years Lived with Disability. Approximately 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2021.

Depression and Gender

Depression rates also differ between genders. Women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. In 2021, an estimated 7.3% of women had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year, compared to 4.1% of men.

Depression and Race

Depression rates also vary by race. According to Mental Health America, the prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.37% in New Jersey to 26.86% in Utah. Additionally, MDD affects more than 21 million American adults or about 8.4% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.

Living with Major Depressive Disorder

How does major depressive disorder affect your daily life? This mental health condition can have a significant impact on your ability to function and engage in social activities. It can cause a loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed, and can lead to feelings of distress and hopelessness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 14.5 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 5.7% of all U.S. adults.

Living with major depressive disorder can be challenging, and it is important to seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms. Treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

In addition to seeking treatment, there are steps you can take to manage your condition on a daily basis. These may include:

  • Engaging in regular physical activity

  • Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation

  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet

  • Getting enough sleep

  • Avoiding drugs and alcohol

  • Seeking support from family and friends

It is also important to be aware of the risk of self-harm and suicide associated with major depressive disorder. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it is important to seek immediate help from a mental health professional or emergency services.

Living with major depressive disorder can be challenging, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

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