Monday, April 14, 2014

Why Is Depression Increasing In The US


Of all of the medical issues that are prevalent in US at present, clinical depression is not only hard to diagnose but more often it is quite grueling to treat properly. Experts believe that depression is going beyond normal sadness.

Depression can be defined as the state of being so sad that it affects your body functioning. For example, if you find it tough to get out of bed in the morning and have no interest in doing work, you are experiencing few of the major signs of clinical depression. In that case, it is recommended that you should consult a doctor immediately.

You can't treat depression yourself, one need to consult clinical or medial professional in this regard. But remember the point that just because you are not feeling flash does not mean that you are suffering from a medical condition that needs medications, as is pretty much the case with clinical depression. Not every doctor can treat depression, so it is of paramount importance that you choose doctor on the basis of experience and reputation.

There is no doubt that depression is a big problem and even worse it is growing at an alarming speed. If you take a look at recent figures, one can clear up basic misconceptions and make it a straightforward task tackling major depression at its root.

Recent study suggests that depression is the number one psychological disorder in the western world. Furthermore it is growing in all age groups, in almost all the communities. If the trend continues, depression will be the second most disabling condition in the globe by 2020, with heart disease taking the top honour.

The facts relating to continuous episodes of depression clearly depict that though antidepressants can play a significant role in controlling the symptoms but they are not that efficient in the long-run. That is where, one need to take a closer look at other solutions, which can not only give immediate relief but also prove beneficial in the long run.

As already mentioned, clinical or major depression is growing at a fast rate.

o With a few exceptions, people of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities are suffering from major depression.

o Around 20% of people experience symptoms of depression.

o As compared to 1945, at present 10 times more people suffer from major depression

o Take a note of the fact that the average age of first onset of major depression is between 25-29

According to recent study, around 35 to 40 million Americans living at present will suffer from major depression at some time of their life, with around 20 million Americans suffering from continuous depression symptoms. When one takes into account the fact that suicide is the 8th biggest cause of death in the US, there is hardly a surprise that major depression is termed as "the nation's leading mental health issue"

You may ask: Why depression is increasing? Fact remains that every individual has basic emotional requirements that must be met to enjoy life at the fullest. Apart from primary human requirements such as food, water and shelter individual need emotional and physical support. You will find that depressed people usually don't get these types of support.

Traditional communities more often meet lots of 'basic requirements' for emotional support. For example, in the traditional Amish society in the US major depression is almost non-existent. This is also the case in the equally traditional Kaluli tribe of New Guinea. The pivotal factor here is that in these societies individual concerns are group concerns and vise-versa. In other word, you will get a much-needed help from other people if you are facing problem.

A more recent review that was implemented by Dr Wilson M. Compton and associates from the National Institutes of Health pinpoints the fact that that the prevalence rates of major depression enhanced in patients with and without a substance use disorder from 3.33% in 1991-1992 to 7.06% in 2001-2002.

Researchers come to the conclusion after taking into account the information from two major, nationally representative surveys: the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey conducted in the year of 1991-1992, and of course the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions conducted in the year of 2001-2002.

The best part about this research is that all diagnoses were made on the basis of information from the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule--DSM-IV. According to study, major depression is on the rise, with or without a substance use disorder, was statistically significant for all communities and age groups.

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