Over the last few weeks, I have been trying to debunk common depression myths. This is the last in the series, but I think it encapsulates the whole series. Depression is more prevalent than most people think. As a society we need to pay attention to depression and make treatment available without stigma preventing people from receiving treatment.
According to 2021 data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) approximately 21 million adults in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode. This is about 8.3% of all adults. NIMH states that 10.3% of females have had a major depressive episode and 6.2% of males have had an episode. Depression is not limited to adults. The NIMH 2021 research 20.1% of youth aged 12-17 had at least one major depressive episode. This is approximately 5 million youth. These statistics clearly demonstrate that depression is not rare.
Depression is not just an issue in the United States. Worldwide statistics show that over 300 million people live with depression. It is a leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide. Many people with depression do not receive treatment. As a result, the NIMH and worldwide statistics may be low.
When we consider the numbers of people who live with depression, it is likely that we each know people suffering from depression. There is research that indicates that 1 in 6 people will experience depression at some point in their lives. We likely work with, go to school with, and socialize with people living with depression. Consider the people around you. Someone around is living with depression. You may not know it, but you do know someone living with depression. If you remember from an earlier post in this series (Smiles and Appearances, The Masks We Wear: Debunking Common Depression Myths part 2), those of us with depression are adept at masking our depression. Just because you do not see the signs of depression in someone does not mean they are not living with it. Depression can be an invisible illness. In a 2023 post I wrote about living with an invisible illness and included a poem. Read it here: Living with an Invisible Illness. Just because we do not always see it, does not mean that depression is not prevalent.
The incidence of depression is rising. There are many reasons for this. The COVID 19 pandemic had an effect on the rates of depression. Social media use has impacted depression rates. While these two factors are not singular causes of depression, they do impact our emotional well-being. Depression is a medical diagnosis. It is a legitimate health concern that is impacted by social and technological factors. As we see changes in the use of social media and technology, we see increases in depression. The more social media and technology isolate us, the more prevalent depression will be.
Greater awareness of depression is leading to better diagnosis, reduced stigma, and more people seeking help. This is important. Yes, with greater awareness, the numbers of people diagnosed with depression will increase. This indicates how large the prevalence of depression really is. Diagnosis leads to treatment. So, while greater awareness will lead to increase to higher prevalence of depression, it will also lead to more people receiving the treatment they need. Again, depression is not rare.
As we look at the prevalence of depression, let’s remember that we do not always know when someone is living with depression. So, it may seem that depression is rare, but if we take the time to be truly aware, we will realize that depression is a common illness. Please remember that depression is an illness. We do not choose to live with depression. Be kind. There is someone in your family circle, someone in your work circle, and someone in your social circle who lives with depression. Be aware of the signs of depression. Depression is a common illness. Be compassionate. We never know what someone is dealing with.
I hope you have found this series debunking common depression myths helpful. If you have missed a post, I encourage you to look back over the last few weeks. There are five posts in the series. I will include links to each post in the series.
There are a lot of myths surrounding depression. I believe it is important that we work to debunk depression myths. It starts with awareness and compassion. Let’s all do our part to debunk these myths and improve life for people living with depression.
Links to the rest of the series:
Is Depression Just Sadness? Debunking Common Depression Myths (Part 1)
Smiles and Appearances, The Masks We Wear: Debunking Common Depression Myths (Part 2)
It's Not Just a Phase: Debunking Common Depression Myths (Part 3, Teen Mental Health)
You Can't Just "Snap Out of Depression": Debunking Common Depression Myths (Part 4)
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