Depression Statistics And Facts

Depression has significant and varied effects, despite the seeming simplicity of its definition. Here are some interesting facts regarding depression that may not be widely known.

• Depression has numerous causes. A person’s risk of depression increases if they have recently experienced a stressful life event, if they had been depressed in the past, or if a close relative has been depressed. Occasionally, depression develops for no apparent reason.
• Genetics offers some of the answers, but not all. The genetic tendency to depression is becoming increasingly recognized, which may explain why some individuals get depression while others do not. A familial history of depression is significant, but it is not the only cause. As per a study published in 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the heritability rate (the proportion of a trait that may be attributed to genes) of depression is only approximately 37%.
• Depression has physical effects. As per the NIMH, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, pains, and general aches without a specific physical reason are all indicators of depression.
• Depression may be a “gut instinct.” A study that was published in August 2020 in the journal Cureus discovered a substantial relationship between mental health and gut health, indicating that depression is highly linked to gut imbalance. Although additional research is required, a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics may be beneficial in depression management.
• Brains affected by depression may vary in structure. A study published in December 2019 in the journal Translational Psychiatry assessed research investigating the use of MRI scans to treat and diagnose the major depressive disorder, and found that imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can detect changes in the brains of some individuals with major depressive disorder. (However, the article also mentions that major depression is a biochemically complex disorder that results in different brain changes in some individuals and that MRI scans alone aren’t useful in the identification of major depressive disorder; consequently, the researchers emphasize the significance of modern imaging techniques and methods of analyzing that data to help diagnose depression.)
• Depression is associated with various health issues. People suffering from depression are also at increased risk for autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases, like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. As per a study released in July 2019 in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, it is uncertain if depression induces inflammation or vice versa.
• Depressed individuals may not appear depressed. Depression is a veiled disease. Some people may appear cheerful, yet they struggle with depressive symptoms on the inside.
• Exercise can help control depression. Exercise increases mood state. Physical activity stimulates natural substances in the body that might improve mood. Most days, try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise. Typically, we advise depressed individuals to exercise, adopt a nutritious diet, and adhere to a normal sleep schedule. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in October 2017 indicated that just one hour of regular exercise per week was linked with a 12% reduction in the risk of depression.
• It is usual to require the use of many antidepressants. Many depressed individuals do not find relief from the first antidepressant they take. This is predicted since, for unexplained reasons, some people respond favorably to different drugs, and some do not respond favorably to any of the currently available medications. Individuals may need to take multiple antidepressants before finding one that works effectively.
• Oftentimes, therapy is also needed. Therapy and lifestyle adjustments are regarded as first-line treatments for mild to moderate depression; however, a combination of medication and therapy is frequently effective for moderate to severe depression. Sometimes antidepressants are used first to reduce depression sufficiently for treatment to be beneficial. Effective treatment for depression also requires cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or other therapeutic methods like Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
• Depression is frequently accompanied by anxiety. Many individuals with one mental health condition, like depression, may also suffer from another, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety. Anxiety can be as devastating as depression, but folks may not realize they have anxiety because they have lived with it for so long. Women are particularly susceptible to developing anxiety problems.
• Depression has a major impact on the global population. The World Health Organization reported in February 2017 that depression is the largest cause of disability worldwide, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Between 2005 and 2015, the number of individuals battling depression increased by 18%, with the majority being young people, older people, and women.