Depression
By Ava Cortelli
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression is a common mental disorder that affects 350 million people globally. People with depression may feel bored, guilty, hopeless, unable to feel pleasure, lonely, or sad. People with depression may also become restless, experience appetite loss, and weight gain or loss.
Depression Facts
- At some point in their lives, about 1 in 4 Americans will experience depression
- Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men
- 15% of those who suffer from some form depression take their lives every year
- More than 6% of children suffer from depression
- Older people are more likely to suffer from depression than younger people
- On a worldwide basis, depression ranks 4th as a cause of disability and early death
- People with depression are 5 times more likely to have a breathing-related sleep disorder than non-depressed people
- Depression can cause hallucinations
- 20% of people with major depressive disorder develop psychotic symptoms
- 10 times more people suffer from major depression now than in 1945
Citations
"60 Random Facts about Depression." Randomhistory. N.p., 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Smith, Melinda, Joanna Saisan, and Jeanne Segal. "Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs." Helpguide. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/telephone-hotlines-and-help-lines/