In 2022, some 8.8 percent of adults in the United States reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. However, among those aged 18 to 25 years, almost 20 percent reported a major depressive episode. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States and in severe cases can seriously affect one’s ability to function.
Depression among men and women
Although depression can affect anyone, women are more likely to report experiencing a major depressive episode than men. In 2021, around 10 percent of women in the United States stated they had a major depressive episode in the past year, compared to six percent of men. Women aged 18 to 20 were the most likely to suffer from a major depressive episode with up to 27 percent reporting such an episode in 2021. In comparison, just 12 percent of men aged 18 to 20 said they had a major depressive episode at that time. Among men, those aged 21 to 25 had the highest prevalence of major depression.
Treatment for depression
Fortunately, depression is treatable, and the vast majority of people who receive treatment benefit from it. Depression is most commonly treated with medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both. In 2021, around 11.5 million people in the United States received treatment for a major depressive episode. The most common type of professionals seen for such treatment were general practitioners or family doctors and psychiatrists or psychotherapists. Among U.S. youths who are treated for a major depressive disorder, very few are treated using only prescription medication. Instead, it is much more common for youth to see or talk to a health professional only, or to see a health professional and use prescription medication.
Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender
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SAMHSA, & US Department of Health and Human Services. (November 16, 2023). Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 08, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/
SAMHSA, und US Department of Health and Human Services. "Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender." Chart. November 16, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 08, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/
SAMHSA, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 08, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/
SAMHSA, and US Department of Health and Human Services. "Percentage of U.S. Adults with a Major Depressive Episode in The past Year as of 2022, by Age and Gender." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Nov 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/
SAMHSA & US Department of Health and Human Services, Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/ (last visited December 08, 2024)
Percentage of U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2022, by age and gender [Graph], SAMHSA, & US Department of Health and Human Services, November 16, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/252312/major-depressive-episode-among-us-adults-by-age-and-gender/