Depression Statistics
People from various races, ethnic and social groups suffer from different types of depression. Physical symptoms of depression are found across all age groups, with an estimated 15 million American adults suffering from it but only about one third receive some form of treatment or help for depression.
Some differences in symptoms of depression in children and adolescents have been observed. Young children are likely to complain of aches and pains rather than complaining that they feel sad or hopeless. Teens, on the other hand tend to act out their feelings of hopelessness by showing anger or irritability and abusing drugs or getting poor academic results. Some run away from home.
Adolescents experience signs of depression in feelings of hopelessness, emptiness and isolation. Statistics for suicide among children and adolescents have decreased in recent years but suicide is still the third leading cause of death for this age group.
There is some controversy surrounding the use of anti-depressant medication to treat children but the lack of treatment could prove to be even more deadly. It is essential for young people with symptoms of depression behaviour that last for several weeks to seek professional help.
On the other end of the age scale are those 65 years or older. Depression diagnosis for this age group can be tricky because signs of depression can be difficult to recognize. Aging brings with it many health problems such as backaches, headaches, joint pains and other persistent problems that are often not recognized as warning signs of depression.
Moreover, many illnesses common among the elderly such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia and heart disease often have symptoms that overlap those of depression. Far from the erroneous belief that depression is a normal part of aging, attention should be paid to this age group for the physical symptoms of depression to seek early help for depression treatment. There is a higher risk of suicide among the elderly where 80 percent of suicides were victims of major depression, compared to 30 percent in younger victims.
