The 11 facts you need are below, and their sources are at the very bottom of the page. When you learn something, do something! Learn how to take action here.

1- Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Symptoms of a depressive episode may include: loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, weight change, difficulty sleeping or falling asleep, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.[1]

2- 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode (7.1% of all adults in the United States).[2]

3- A personal or family history of depression, major life changes, trauma, stress, and certain medications may all contribute to a greater risk of developing depression.[3]

4- 3.2 million adolescents in the United States had at least one major depressive episode (13.3% of the US population aged 12 to 17).[4]

5- Anxiety and depression are closely related. Almost 50% of people diagnosed with depression also have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder.[5]

6- Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people aged 15 to 44 years.[6]

7- Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression as men.[7]

8- There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for depression, but common treatments include antidepressants, traditional forms of psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).[8]

9- It is estimated that 264 million people worldwide experienced depression in 2017 [9].

10- Depression takes many forms, such as persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia), postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder and major depression.[10]

11- Depression is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.[11]

Resources:

1. “Understand the Facts: Depression.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
2. “Statistics: Major Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
3. “Depression: Overview.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
4. “Statistics: Major Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
5. “Facts and Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
6. “Understand the Facts: Depression.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
7. “Depression in Women: Understanding the Gender Gap.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed May 22. 2019. 
8. “Depression: Overview.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
9. Ritchie, Hannah and Roser, Max. “Depression.” Our World In Data. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
10. “Depression: Overview.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed May 22, 2019. 
11. “Depression: Key Facts.” World Health Organization. Accessed May 22, 2019.