Understanding Depressing Depression is a worldwide public health issue. Unipolar depression is ranked second in a ranking of disabling diseases in westernized countries, and is projected to reach the same ranking world wide by 2020. *Average age of first onset of major depression: 25-29 *Likelihood of a second or more episodes of major depression: 80% *Likelihood of a second or more episodes of minor depression: 100% *Median number of major depressive episodes during a person’s lifetime: 4 What is going on? Why is depression so pervasive
Along with anxiety, depression is the most common behavioral health problem in the U.S. affecting nearly 10% of our population. When we think of anxiety, the focus is the future; when we think of depression we are focused on the past. Depression is about loss. Depression is a mood problem. When we are in a normal mood, we feel comfortable. We have motivation to face the day, we enjoy our leisure time, and our physical energy is usually up to the task