Important Facts for Depression: Adult Prevalence
Definition
The percentage of adults aged 18 and above who have ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression.Numerator
The number of adults aged 18 and above who have ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression.Denominator
Adults aged 18 and above.Data Interpretation Issues
Question Text: "Has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional EVER told you that you have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression?" NOTE: The question asks about lifetime diagnosis and does not reflect current major depression. As with all surveys, some error results from nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), and measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). Error was minimized by use of strict calling protocols, good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.Why Is This Important?
Approximately 20.6%* of adults in the U.S. experienced some kind of mental illness during 2019^1^. Of all mental illnesses, depression is the most common disorder^2^, with 7.1% of adults suffering from at least one episode of major depression in 2017^3^. Major depression is defined as having severe symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. Symptoms of major depression may include fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, impaired concentration, loss of interest in daily activities, appetite or weight changes, sleep changes, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide. Despite the availability of effective treatments for major depression, such as medications and/or psychotherapeutic techniques, it often goes unrecognized and untreated.^4^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. National Institute of Mental Health. ''Any Mental Illness (AMI) Among U.S. Adults''. Retrieved from [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml] on November 24, 2020. [[br]] 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ''Healthy People 2010''. 2nd ed. With Understanding and Improving Health and Objectives for Improving Health. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, November 2000.[[br]] 3. National Institute of Mental Health. ''Major Depression Among Adults''. Retrieved from [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults.shtml] on November 24, 2020. [[br]] 4. National Alliance on Mental Illness Retrieved from [http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression] on November 24, 2020. *2020 U.S. data is yet to be released and will be updated as soon as current data becomes available.Healthy People Objective MHMD-11:
Increase depression screening by primary care providersU.S. Target: Not applicable, see subobjectives in this category