How common is depression?
Depression in the United States is more common among women than men, with around 3.5 percent of men suffering from depression compared to just under six percent of women. The most common age at which adults experienced a major depressive episode as of 2020 was between 21 and 25 years for both sexes, with 11.4 percent of men and 23.2 percent of women between these ages reporting such an episode in the past year. Depression is also common among youth, with up to 25 percent of teenage females and 9 percent of males experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2020.Suicide risks and treatment
Depression is a leading cause or risk factor for suicide, highlighting the importance of diagnosis and treatment. This is clear in the fact that in 2018 around 75 percent of suicide victims in the U.S. suffered from depression. As of 2020, around 34 percent of adults with a major depressive episode had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, while 11 percent made suicide plans, and 3.6 percent attempted suicide. Despite the seriousness of depression, it is one of the most treatable mental disorders, with the majority of patients finding relief through medication, therapy, or life changes. The most common types of professionals seen for a major depressive episode are general practitioners or family doctors, psychiatrists or psychotherapists, and psychologists.
