Depression can be dangerous. More than 90 percent of people who end up taking their own life have a diagnosable mental disorder, commonly a depressive disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. People who suspect they may have this condition should talk to a mental health professional for diagnosis and to receive the help they need.
Onset
A person of any age can suffer from depression, but the median age at onset for major depressive disorder is 32, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Gender
Depression occurs more often in females than in males. Women with depression are more likely to display signs of sadness or express feelings of worthlessness, while men may cover up the depression with anger or hostility.
Disability
Depression is the leading cause of disability in adults 15 to 44 in the United States and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
Co-Occuring Illnesses
Depression often occurs with other illnesses or medical conditions, including cancer, strokes, heart attacks, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, substance use and diabetes. In some cases, the illness or medical condition leads to depression. In others, the opposite is true.
Types
Major depressive disorder is the most common type of depression. Other forms of depression include atypical depression, psychotic depression, dysthymia--a chronic, mild depression--seasonal affective disorder and bipolar disorder.
Scope
By the year 2020, the World Health Organization projects, depression will reach second place in the ranking of the "global burden of disease"--the assessment of the disease's negative effects on a global scale.
