About 80% Of Adults With Depression Reported At Least Some Difficulty With Work Home Or Social Activities Because Of Their Depression Symptoms
- 50.2% of adults with depression reported some difficulty with work, home, or social activities because of their depression symptoms .
- 30.0% of adults with depression reported moderate or extreme difficulty with work, home, or social activities because of their depression symptoms.
- The percentage of adults with depression reporting difficulty with work, home, or social activities due to depression symptoms was similar in men and women.
Figure 4. Percentage of persons aged 20 and over with depression who reported difficulty with work, home, or social activities due to depression symptoms: United States, 20132016
NOTES: Depression was defined as a score greater than or equal to 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Access data table for Figure 4pdf icon.SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 20132016.
How Common Is Depression
Depression, along with anxiety disorders, is the second most common mental health problem in the United States.
Approximately 16 million adults in the United States experience at least one major depressive episode each year. In recent years, however, that number has increased.
Depression-related mood disorders include many different types, with major depression being just one of them. Depression and low moods can be caused by a variety of other conditions.
Depression can also be caused by long-term depression and bipolar disorder.
- Depression affects over 264 million people worldwide according to the recent study of the World Health Organization.
- Depression is the worlds leading cause of disability.
- In the United States, neuropsychiatric disorders are the most common cause of disability, with major depressive disorder being the most common based on the National Institute of Mental Health published a report in 2013.
Statistical Methods And Measurement Caveats
Diagnostic Assessment:
Population:
- The entirety of NSDUH respondents for the major depressive episode estimates is the civilian, non-institutionalized population aged 12-17 and 18 years old or older residing within the United States.
- The survey covers residents of households and persons in non-institutional group quarters .
- The survey does not cover persons who, for the entire year, had no fixed address were on active military duty or who resided in institutional group quarters .
- Some adults and adolescents in these excluded categories may have had a major depressive episode in the past year, but they are not accounted for in the NSDUH major depressive episode estimates.
- Sex was recorded by the interviewer.
Interview Response and Completion:
- In 2020, 39.6% of the selected NSDUH sample did not complete the interview.
- Reasons for non-response to interviewing include: refusal to participate respondent unavailable or no one at home and other reasons such as physical/mental incompetence or language barriers .
- Adults and adolescents with major depressive episode may disproportionately fall into these non-response categories. While NSDUH weighting includes non-response adjustments to reduce bias, these adjustments may not fully account for differential non-response by mental illness status.
Data Suppression:
Background on the 2020 NSDUH and the COVID-19 Pandemic:
Read Also: Can You Have Seasonal Depression In The Summer
Shortage Of Mental Health Experts Of Color Is Another Barrier
A study published in November 2020 in the journal JAMA Network Open found that patients who shared the same racial or ethnic backgrounds as their doctors were more likely to report a better care experience than those who did not. However, theres a shortage of racially-diverse mental health care providers in the United States another possible reason people in marginalized racial and ethnic communities dont seek treatment for depression.
In the field of psychology, about 85 percent to 90 percent of psychologists identify as white, says Erlanger A. Turner, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and the author of Mental Health Among African Americans: Innovations in Research and Practice. If someone prefers to work with someone from their own racial background, it may be difficult to locate a mental health professional in their community.
Language or cultural barriers between doctors and patients of different ethnicities may also be a factor. A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that 44 percent of Hispanic people felt communication problems related to language or cultural differences were major reasons they have worse health-related outcomes than other adults in the United States.
Racial Disparities In Diagnosis And Treatment Of Major Depression
People worldwide are suffering with mental health challenges now more than ever. Social distancing and remote work and school have translated into emotional distancing for many. The pandemic has magnified the challenges at home and abroad, and some racial and ethnic groups suffer disproportionately.1,2 Quantifying the extent of racial and ethnic inequities in mental health can help us better understand how to address them.
This study investigates disparities in the prevalence of diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder, or major depression3, between majority White, Black and Hispanic communities. Our analysis spans 2016 to 2020 and is based on the medical claims of 3.1 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercially insured individuals with major depression between the ages of 12 and 64. For additional insights, we surveyed more than 2,700 adults, aged 18 to 75, about their attitudes and perspectives around mental health and how they access care.
This is the second in a series of reports supporting the Blue Cross and Blue Shield national strategy to address racial disparities in health. The first report in our series examined maternal health future reports will explore disparities in diabetes and heart health.
Read Also: Major Depressive Disorder In Women
The Prevalence Of Depression Among Adults Decreased As Family Income Levels Increased
- Overall, 15.8% of adults from families living below the federal poverty level had depression. The prevalence of depression decreased to 3.5% among adults at or above 400% of the FPL .
- Among both men and women, the prevalence of depression decreased with increasing levels of family income.
- Men with family incomes at or above 400% of the FPL had the lowest prevalence of depression , while women with family incomes below the FPL had the highest prevalence .
Figure 3. Percentage of persons aged 20 and over with depression, by family income level: United States, 20132016
1Significant decreasing linear trend.2Significantly lower than women in same family income level.NOTES: Family income levels are defined by the federal poverty level . Depression was defined as a score greater than or equal to 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Access data table for Figure 3pdf icon.SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 20132016.
Can Depression Be Cured
There is no cure for depression, but it is highly treatable. Like many mental health disorders, depression can be complex, causing different problems in different people. The treatment process may be individualized based on your specific needs. In many cases, a combination of medications and psychotherapy is the best option.
Recommended Reading: What Should You Do If Your Depressed
Depression By Income Level
When it comes to mental health problems like depression, where one lives matters a lot in the United States. People with lower incomes are more likely to suffer from depression, according to the CDC.
As income rises, the rate of depression decreases as well. Middle and upper-class people are not exempt from depression, however.
When it comes to mental health issues like substance abuse, depression, and anxiety, children of affluent families are more likely to suffer from these conditions.
Even though many risk factors can apply to all demographics in the United States, poverty and socioeconomic conditions can raise your risk of depression.
How Race Matters: What We Can Learn From Mental Health Americas Screening In 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mental Health America has witnessed unprecedented numbers of people who come to its website to take a voluntary, free, anonymous mental health screening.
From January to December 2020, a total of over 2.6 million people completed a mental health screen.
Part of the mission of the MHA online screening program is to further data-driven, upstream, population-level efforts to improve mental health. MHA Screening is not only the largest existing data set of help-seeking individuals for mental health conditions, but it collects data in real time as people are actively taking screens. This allows MHA to engage in rapid analysis and dissemination of information so we can recognize and react to trends in mental health quickly.
In our screening program, we use voluntary demographic questions and additional surveys to learn more about people who are often not captured in traditional research. Our data provides us an opportunity to better understand and disseminate findings on unmet needs and gaps in care among specific populations, such as youth, Black, Indigenous and people of color, trauma survivors and LGBTQ+ individuals. Our work is designed primarily to provide the earliest supports to people in need.
If something in this data speaks to you or raises questions that you would like us to explore further, please email Maddy Reinert at or Theresa Nguyen at
You May Like: What Is Post Party Depression
Historical Mistrust In Health Systems And Unequal Care Play A Role
People of color have historically been mistreated by healthcare systems in the United States. One well-known example is the U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, in which nearly 400 African American men who had syphilis were intentionally denied treatment. Experiences like these have created mistrust among people of color toward the U.S. medical system, lessening the likelihood of many to seek care.
Some research shows that Black people today continue to encounter more negative experiences when they seek mental health treatment compared with white people. For instance, a study published in December 2018 in the journal Psychiatric Services found African American people were more apt to receive a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia than white people when they reported symptoms of mood disorders like depression. In contrast, non-Latino white people were more likely to be diagnosed with major depression.
Suicide Data And Statistics
Suicide Related Outcomes
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
Count
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
Emergency department visits related to suicide**
Suicide Related Outcomes
Emergency department visits related to suicide**
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
People who seriously considered suicide***
Suicide Related Outcomes
People who seriously considered suicide***
# of Events for Every 1 Suicide
*** Source: 2020 SAMHSAs National Survey on Drug Use and Health
The racial/ethnic groups with the highest suicide rates in 2020 were non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic Whites.
The suicide rate among males in 2020 was 4 times higher than the rate among females.
Males make up 49% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides.
People ages 85 and older have the highest rates of suicide.
Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
12.5
Count
Source: Ehlman DC, Yard E, Stone DM, Jones CM, Mack KA. Changes in Suicide Rates United States, 2019 and 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 71:306312. DOI: .
Learn more about disparities in suicide.
Learn more about firearm violence.
To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
Recommended Reading: Screening For Depression In Adults
Why Are Marginalized Racial And Ethnic Groups Less Likely To Be Diagnosed And Treated For Depression
Studies of depression risk among people of color have had somewhat mixed results, likely due to a lack of high-quality studies including people of color, underreported cases of depression among people of color, and widespread misdiagnoses, according to a review article published in the journal Frontiers.
Some studies show that depression and other mental health conditions happen in Black and African American people at about the same rate or less often than in white people, say experts at Mental Health America. Similarly, Hispanic and Latino people appear to have the same risk of developing depression and other mental health conditions as the general population, reports the National Alliance on Mental Illness .
But other research, such as a large study published in May 2018 in the journal Preventive Medicine, found that African American and Latino people were more likely than white people to have depression.
Similarly, a study published in the journal Archives of Psychiatry showed that when major depressive disorder affects African American and Caribbean Black people, its usually more severe and disabling for them compared with non-Hispanic white people.
What this means is the burden of disability from depression is much more pronounced in individuals from Black, indigenous, and communities of color, Dr. Powell explains. And the consequences of these mental health conditions are far more significant and negative for these populations.
Who Does Depression Affect
It doesnt matter who you are depression can affect anyone. Mental health issues affect a large percentage of the population, both here and abroad.
Depression can affect people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses in different ways. For example, children may experience depression, but their symptoms may be different from those of adults.
There is a difference between adults and children when it comes to feelings of worthlessness and sadness.
Some people may have a higher risk of developing certain conditions. A persons family history of mental illness may also play a role in their mental health.
Recommended Reading: Medication For Depression And Anxiety And Weight Loss
Depression Statistics In United States
An alarming 27.8 percent of American adults were suffering from depression in early 2020, compared to 8.5 percent before the pandemic.
One in three American adults is affected by depression, according to new research from Harvard Medical Schools Boston University School of Public Health.
- The National Institute of Mental Health published a report in 2017 that at least one major depressive episode has affected 17.3 million adults .
- 63.8 percent of adults and 70.77 percent of adolescents with major depressive episodes had severe impairment.
- Depression affects nearly twice as many women as it does men according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Adults and adolescents who reported two or more races had the highest rate of major depressive episodes.
19.4 million adults in the United States had a major depressive episode at least once in 2019, according to the NIMHTrusted Source.
About 7.8% of American adults are part of this group. As a result, the true number of people suffering from depression may be higher than previously thought.
According to a study published in 2021, nearly 60 percent of people with depression do not seek professional help because of the stigma associated with depression.
According to the WHO, over 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries never receive depression treatment as a result of treatment barriers.
Data Sources And Methods
Data from the NHANES 20072016 were used for these analyses. Data from two combined cycles were used to test differences between subgroups. Trends in depression prevalence reflect a 10-year period of five 2-year NHANES survey cycles, 20072016.
NHANES is a cross-sectional survey designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the noninstitutionalized civilian U.S. population . The survey consists of home interviews and standardized physical examinations in mobile examination centers . The PHQ-9 was administered by trained interviewers during a private interview in the MEC. Approximately 89% of MEC-examined adults completed the PHQ-9.
The NHANES sample is selected through a complex, multistage probability design. During 20072016, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic persons, among other groups, were oversampled to obtain reliable estimates for these population subgroups. Race and Hispanic origin-specific estimates reflect individuals reporting only one race. Persons reporting another race or multiple races are included in the total but are not reported separately.
Examination sample weights, which account for the differential probabilities of selection, nonresponse, and noncoverage, were incorporated into the estimation process. The standard errors of the percentages were estimated using Taylor series linearization , a method that incorporates the sample weights and sample design.
Read Also: Medications Used To Treat Major Depressive Disorder
Main Concerns By Race/ethnicity
Beginning in April 2020, MHA included the question “Think about your mental health test. What are the main things contributing to your mental health problems right now? Choose up to three,” to the optional demographic questions following each screen. In mid-June 2020, “Racism” was added as an option for screeners to select.
From June-December 2020, Black or African American screeners who screened positive or moderate to severe for a mental health condition were most likely to say that racism was one of their top three concerns , followed by screeners identifying as more than one race and Native American or American Indian screeners .
Among the 1,129,790 screeners who scored positive or moderate to severe for a mental health condition and reported their race/ethnicity from May-December 2020:
Learn More About Children’s Emotional Health
- Measures of Children’s Emotional Health on Kidsdata.org
- Kidsdata.org provides the following indicators of children’s emotional health:
- The number and rate of hospital discharges for mental health issues among children and youth ages 5-19, by age group
- The percentage of reports by school staff on their level of agreement that students are well behaved, the extent to which student depression or other mental health issues are a problem, and their level of agreement that helping students with emotional and behavioral problems is emphasized at their school, by type of school
Data on student depression-related feelings come from the California Healthy Kids Survey . State-level CHKS estimates, although derived from the Biennial State CHKS, may differ from data published in Biennial State CHKS reports due to differences in grade-level classification of students in continuation high schools.*Levels of school connectedness are based on a scale created from responses to five questions about feeling safe, close to people, and a part of school, being happy at school, and about teachers treating students fairly.
- Related Data
-
Read Also: Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Depression