Prevalence and Incidence of Depression

Prevalance of Depression:

estimated 5.3% adults (USSG); 17 million people; approximately 4% of adolescents get seriously depressed (NIMH); annually 12% of women ; 7% of men; lifetime risk of an episode for women 20%. 3-4 million men USA. ... see also overview of Depression.

Prevalance Rate:

approx 1 in 18 or 5.30% or 14.4 million people in USA [Source statistic for calcuation: "estimated 5.3% adults (USSG); 17 million people; approximately 4% of adolescents get seriously depressed (NIMH); annually 12% of women ; 7% of men; lifetime risk of an episode for women 20%. 3-4 million men USA." -- see also general information about data sources]

Prevalance of types of Depression:

For details see prevalence of types of Depression analysis; summary of available prevalence data:

• dysthymia: about 10.9 million American adults (NIMH); estimated 1.6% adults (USSG)
• panic disorder: approximately 2.4 million Americans (NIMH)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder: 3.3 million adult Americans (NIMH); 2.3% adults (NIMH); 1 in 50 people (NWHIC); 2.4% adults (USSG)
• post-traumatic stress disorder: 5.2 million adult Americans (NIMH); 3.6% adults (NIMH); about 30% of war veterans.
• social phobia: 5.3 million adult Americans (NIMH); 3.7% adults (NIMH); 2.0% adults (USSG)
• phobias: 11.5 million adults (NIMH); 8.0% adults (NIMH)
• specific phobias: estimated 6.3 million adult Americans (NIMH); estimated 8.3% adults (USSG)
• generalized anxiety disorder: 4 million adult Americans (NIMH); 2.8% adults (NIMH); estimated 3.4% adults (USSG)
• more types of Depression...»

Incidence of types of Depression:

For details see incidence of types of Depression analysis; summary of available incidence by type data:

• panic disorder: 1.7% of US adults annually (NIMH)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder: 2.3% adults annualy (NIMH)
• post-traumatic stress disorder: 3.6% adults annually (NIMH)
• social phobia: 3.7% adults annually (NIMH)
• generalized anxiety disorder: 2.8% of the adult U.S. population (NIMH)
• more types of Depression...»

Lifetime risk for Depression:

7.9-8.6% of adults will have major depression during their lifetime in Canada (Health Canada)

Prevelance of Depression discussion:

Depression in Children and Adolescents A Fact Sheet for Physicians: NIMH (Excerpt)

A number of epidemiological studies have reported that up to 2.5 percent of children and up to 8.3 percent of adolescents in the U.S. suffer from depression.⁴ An NIMH-sponsored study of 9- to 17-year-olds estimates that the prevalence of any depression is more than 6 percent in a 6-month period, with 4.9 percent having major depression.⁵ In addition, research indicates that depression onset is occurring earlier in life today than in past decades.⁶ A recently published longitudinal prospective study found that early-onset depression often persists, recurs, and continues into adulthood, and indicates that depression in youth may also predict more severe illness in adult life.³ Depression in young people often co-occurs with other mental disorders, most commonly anxiety, disruptive behavior, or substance abuse disorders, ⁷ and with physical illnesses, such as diabetes.⁸ (Source: excerpt from Depression in Children and Adolescents A Fact Sheet for Physicians: NIMH)

Depression Research: NIMH (Excerpt)

In a given year, between one and two percent of people over age 65 living in the community, i.e., not living in nursing homes or other institutions, suffer from major depression and about two percent have dysthymia. Depression, however, is not a normal part of aging. (Source: excerpt from Depression Research: NIMH)

Depression Research: NIMH (Excerpt)

Additionally, recent NIMH studies show that 13 to 27 percent of older adults have subclinical depressions that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression or dysthymia but are associated with increased risk of major depression, physical disability, medical illness, and high use of health services. Subclinical depressions cause considerable suffering, and some clinicians are now beginning to recognize and treat them. (Source: excerpt from Depression Research: NIMH)

If You're Over 65 and Feeling Depressed Treatment Brings New Hope: NIMH (Excerpt)

Nonetheless, among people 65 and over, as many as 3 out of 100 suffer from clinical depression. It can be serious and can even lead to suicide. (Source: excerpt from If You're Over 65 and Feeling Depressed Treatment Brings New Hope: NIMH)

Older Adults Depression and Suicide Facts: NIMH (Excerpt)

An estimated 6 percent of Americans ages 65 and older in a given year, or approximately 2 million of the 34 million adults in this age group in 1998, have a diagnosable depressive illness (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or dysthymic disorder). (Source: excerpt from Older Adults Depression and Suicide Facts: NIMH)

The Numbers Count: NIMH (Excerpt)

Major depressive disorder affects approximately 9.9 million American adults,⁵ or about 5.0 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. ¹ (Source: excerpt from The Numbers Count: NIMH)

What to do When a Friend is Depressed: NIMH (Excerpt)

Depression affects people of all ages but is less common for teenagers than for adults. Approximately 3 to 5 percent of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year. That means among 25 friends, 1 could be clinically depressed. (Source: excerpt from What to do When a Friend is Depressed: NIMH)

Prevelance statistics for Depression:

The following statistics relate to the prevalence of Depression:

• 6.5% of women have a major depressive disorder in the US (National Institute of Mental Health, NIH)
• 3.3% of men have a major depressive disorder in the US (National Institute of Mental Health, NIH)
• 6.7 million women have a major depressive disorder in the US 1998 (National Institute of Mental Health, NIH)
• 3.2 million men have a major depressive disorder in the US 1998 (National Institute of Mental Health, NIH)
• more statistics...»

More Statistics about Depression:

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