Who is suffering from depression?
Depression is
twice as common as diabetes, three times as common as cancer and more
common than asthma. One in four people will suffer from some sort of
mental illness at some time in their lives, while one in five people will
suffer from depression.
At any one time about five percent (1 in 20) are suffering from severe
depression. A further five percent of people are suffering from a milder
form of depression.
Who are they?
-
It is often
said that five times more women than men suffer with depression. This is
true in the case of mild depression, but for more severe depression the
figures even out between women and men. Overall, depression is twice as
common in women as in men.
-
Depressed men
are three times more likely than women to kill themselves.
-
Mothers of
babies and young children.
-
Depression
occurs in 15 percent of people over the age of 65. The most severe forms
of depression are more common in middle and old age. The highest suicide
rates are among the elderly, particularly those aged over 75.
-
People who
have recently experienced a divorce, bereavement or other major life
event, such as redundancy or moving house.
-
Men in certain
jobs, such as farmers (including horticulturists, farm managers and male
farm workers), are twice as likely to commit suicide as the general
population. Doctors, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists and dentists are
also at particular risk.
-
Adolescents
(approximately three percent).
-
Children
(about one percent).
Are there
any other symptoms for depression?
Among people
suffering with depression, other symptoms are also common:
-
60-90 percent
have symptoms of anxiety
-
30 percent
suffer panic attacks
-
38 percent
suffer obsessional symptoms
-
27 percent
have social phobia
Key Facts:
Depression is common. In fact, one of the commonest of all medical
conditions. Depression can affect anyone from all age groups and all
walks of life, regardless of status, wealth, education, profession or
external events. At any given time, about 4 - 10 percent of women and 2 -
4 percent of men will be suffering from depression. Depression is a
serious illness and has far-reaching consequences. Rapid, effective
treatment lessens the chances of recurrence.
