Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverview and FactsCommonalityBy Age, Gender, EthnicityCauses and Risk FactorsDiagnosis, and TreatmentDepression and Suicide
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview and Facts
Commonality
By Age, Gender, Ethnicity
Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis, and Treatment
Depression and Suicide
Depression—also calledclinical depressionormajor depressive disorder(MDD)—is a debilitating mental illness that impacts between 200 and 300 million people worldwide, regardless of age.Depression can look and feel different for each person, and many people may not even show any outward signs of depression.
This article will provide an overview of facts, information, and statistics about depression.
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Depression Overview and Quick Facts
People with depression often experience similar feelings. Though depression can look and feel different for each person, there are several common symptoms. These include:
Understanding depression can help you cope or support a loved one living with the condition. Here are some quick facts about depression:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
What Does Depression Feel Like?
How Common Is Depression?
How Signs of Depression Feel and Look
Though depression can impact anyone, depression is more common in certain populations. Characteristics such as age, gender, and ethnicity are not risk factors, but people within certain groups are more susceptible to depression due to external circumstances such as discrimination, bias, and cultural norms around mental health, as follows:
Depression Causes and Risk Factors
Several risk factors can lead to depression. These include:
Screening, Early Depression Diagnosis, and Treatment
Depression is a treatable illness, but most people do not seek treatment to manage their symptoms. Withscreening toolsand early symptom detection, such as the following: depression can be diagnosed and effectively treated in most people:
Along with therapy, medications such asselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) can also help manage depression symptoms.
Severe DepressionSome people have severe depression symptoms and may experience ongoing distress, self-neglect, or self-harming behavior. Those with severe depression should seek immediate treatment from a licensed mental health provider.
Severe Depression
Some people have severe depression symptoms and may experience ongoing distress, self-neglect, or self-harming behavior. Those with severe depression should seek immediate treatment from a licensed mental health provider.
In some people with severe cases, depression can lead to suicide. Here are some facts about suicide and depression:
A mental health professional can help provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for anyone experiencing symptoms of depression or suicidality.
Summary
Depression is a common mental illness affecting millions of people worldwide. Though anyone can have depression, it is more commonly reported in women than men, teens than young children, and non-Hispanic Black men than those of other ethnic groups.
People with co-occurring mental illnesses, inadequate income, and having family members with depression are at higher risk. Depression is also linked to suicide, and anyone thinking or talking about suicide should be taken seriously.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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