Depression: Who is most vulnerable?

Facts and Figures

Facts & Figures

• leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
• Affects approximately 14.8 million American adults
• Affects 1 in Every 10 American
• Over 80% with symptoms are not receiving any tretment

Facts & Figures

• # of pts diagnosed with depression increases approx by 20%/yea
• Women are twice as likely to have depression as men of same age

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Experts believe that depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. In other words, your lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills matter just as much—if not more so—than genetics.

Who is More Vulnerable?-Risk Factors

• Loneliness
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Family history of depression
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain

How Do I Know Someone With Depression?

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Loss of interest in daily tasks
• Sleep changes-oversleep or no sleep
• Fury or irritability
• Self-loathing
• Dangerous behavior
• Depression and suicide danger

Conditions that may look like depression

• Other psychiatric disorders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Dementia
• Schizophrenia
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Thyroid disease (though sometimes depression continues after treatment)
• HyperparathyroidismCorticosteroid treatment

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. The deep despair and hopelessness that goes together with depression can make suicide feel like the only way to escape the pain

In case you have a loved one with a depressive disorder, take behavior or any suicidal conversation from him seriously and check and confirm that you don't have these warning signs.

Check out my website for details & follow-up articles:

Bibliography

• Kumar and Clark: Clinical Medicine Sixth Edition
• www.cdc.gov/Features/dsDepression/
• www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/deaths.htm