An estimated 350 million people are affected by depression, and the vast majority of them don't get treatment for their condition either due to stigma or a lack of knowledge, according to a study of more than 50,000 people in 21 countries. The study was led by Graham Thornicroft, a professor of psychiatry at King's College London.
Full Answer
Why don’t more people get treated for depression?
One reason may be that even when diagnosed, people may be so resistant to the idea that they have depression, because of lingering stigma or a lack of information about what depression actually is, that they may choose not to get treated. This may be especially true in other parts of the world, but it also happens in this country.
How often do people seek help for depression?
An average of one in four Americans experience a mental illness every year, yet only about 41 percent seek mental health services. In fact, the median time frame for seeking treatment is 10 years. Some of the most common reasons people do not take the steps needed to obtain help for depression include:
How can psychology help with depression?
“Psychology is a science, and we have proven ways to help.” Depression is “highly treatable” for most people, Clark says, noting that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is often the most effective. “Medication can help rebalance brain chemistry, and psychotherapy or counseling help build more resilient coping strategies,” she says.
Do people with depression receive adequate care?
New Study: Vast Majority Of People With Depression Do Not Seek Treatment : Goats and Soda In poor countries, only 1 in 27 people received minimally adequate care. In wealthy countries, it's 1 in 5. "I lost more than 80 percent of my university friends," recalls Jagannath Lamichhane.
Why do people usually not seek treatment for depression?
Feelings of inadequacy: Many people believe that they are inadequate or it would mean failure to admit that something is wrong. They believe they should be able to handle it. Distrust: Some find it difficult to share personal details with a counselor, and may worry that information will not be kept confidential.
What percentage of people seek help for depression?
In 2020, an estimated 66.0% U.S. adults aged 18 or older with major depressive episode received treatment in the past year. Among those individuals with major depressive episode with severe impairment, an estimated 71.0% received treatment in the past year.
Do the majority of people who suffer from depression seek treatment?
While the majority of individuals with depression have a full remission of the disorder with effective treatment,only about a third (35.3%) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional.
How many people do not receive treatment for depression?
“Although depression can be treated and prevented, at least 75% of all people suffering from major depression do not receive adequate treatment.
What is the success rate of mental health treatment?
The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have a significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.
What is the success rate of therapy?
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. About 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it.
What percent of the world is depressed?
Overview. Depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years (1). Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression (1).
What age group suffers the most from depression?
Data from the National Health Interview Survey The percentage of adults who experienced any symptoms of depression was highest among those aged 18–29 (21.0%), followed by those aged 45–64 (18.4%) and 65 and over (18.4%), and lastly, by those aged 30–44 (16.8%).
Why is depression an important issue?
Depression is a leading cause of disability around the world and contributes greatly to the global burden of disease. The effects of depression can be long-lasting or recurrent and can dramatically affect a person's ability to function and live a rewarding life.
Why is mental health not taken seriously?
Perhaps because mental illnesses are simply not as concrete as physical illnesses, they are often not taken as seriously. Contrary to this popular belief, mental illnesses are actual diseases that must be treated as seriously as a physical disease, such as cancer or heart disease.
Is depression cured completely?
There's no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives.
Who is most at risk for depression?
Major depression is most likely to affect people between the ages of 45 and 65. “People in middle age are at the top of the bell curve for depression, but the people at each end of the curve, the very young and very old, may be at higher risk for severe depression,” says Walch.
Why don't people get treatment for depression?
The list of 15 reasons and endorsement rate for each is presented below (ordered from lowest to highest, based on endorsement rate): 1. Had no transportation or treatment too far (5.8 percent) 2. Didn’t want others to find out (6.5 percent)
What is a major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by affective symptoms (e.g., depressed mood), cognitive symptoms (e.g., difficulty with concentration ), and somatic symptoms (e.g., appetite or weight changes). Not all depressed individuals who feel they require treatment for depression receive it.
What are the barriers to treatment?
Practical barriers include cost concerns (whether real or assumed), availability of transportation, not knowing where to go for treatment, etc. Psychological barriers include obstacles such as worries about stigmatization and doubts about the effectiveness of treatment.
Why is aggressive outreach important?
Because low energy and a lack of motivation are essential features of depression, “aggressive outreach may be required to encourage some individuals to begin and remain in care ... and thus better targeting of patients in need of encouragement may make outreach cost-effective.”. article continues after advertisement.
Is pharmacological treatment expensive?
The public needs to be informed that treatment—at least pharmac ological treatment (medications)—is not necessarily expensive ; cheaper options are available. In conclusion, both practical and psychological barriers to treatment need to be addressed.
Why don't Cambodians get depressed?
An estimated 350 million people are affected by depression, and the vast majority of them don't get treatment for their condition either due to stigma or a lack of knowledge , according to a study of more than 50,000 people in 21 countries.
What did Lamichhane say about his mental health?
After silently struggling with depression for two decades, Lamichhane published an essay in Nepal Times about his mental illness. "I could have hid my problem — like millions of people around the world," he says, but "if we hide our mental health, it may remain a problem forever.". Many of his friends and family didn't agree with that logic.
What percentage of people with depression seek treatment?
But less than 30 percent of the study participants with depression actually sought treatment. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for adults aged 15 to 44, according to data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, making this an incredibly common illness.
Why is depression so hard to see?
That's because depression has a terrible ability to warp the mind. It's "an insidious condition that makes it hard to see clearly what is going on," licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., tells SELF, adding that it "saps the precious energy it can take to seek help.”.
Why don't people feel they deserve help?
Licensed clinical psychologist John Mayer, Ph.D., author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life, tells SELF people often don't feel they deserve help since they don't view depression as the disease it is. That's because depression has a terrible ability to warp the mind.
How many days are you considered depressed?
According to the Mayo Clinic, people are considered clinically depressed if they have five or more depressive symptoms over at least a two-week period, most of the day, nearly every day.
Can depression make you feel your fault?
Finally, depression can make people feel that their symptoms are their fault. “This shame is one of the most dangerous barriers to treatment,” says Clark. If you suspect that you or someone you love is suffering from depression, it’s important to recognize that people with depression aren't at fault for it and that help is out there. ...
Is depression a treatable disease?
Depression is “highly treatable” for most people, Clar k says, noting that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is often the most effective. “Medication can help rebalance brain chemistry, and psychotherapy or counseling help build more resilient coping strategies,” she says.
How many people are depressed but don't get treatment?
Most People Who Are Depressed Don’t Get Treatment, Study Says. New research shows that only about 29% of people who are depressed get the help they need, whether it's therapy or medication. What's more, 30% of people under treatment aren't actually depressed. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, ...
Who is the lead author of the study "Depression Treatment"?
The data raises real concerns, says lead author Mark Olfson, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City: “We found that most people who could benefit from depression treatment aren’t receiving it, while many others are receiving depression treatments that they may not need.”.
Do people with mood disorders show signs of depression?
What's more, many people who are under treatment don't show any signs of depression.
Do antidepressants help with depression?
For example, people with “less serious [psychological] distress” were more likely to take antidepressants than people with more severe depression. (Antidepressants aren't that effective for mild depression and are a better fit for people with severe symptoms.) The study also revealed that only 30% of people who were under treatment actually ...
Why do people not seek help for depression?
Some of the most common reasons people do not take the steps needed to obtain help for depression include: 1 Fear and shame: People recognize the negative stigma and discrimination of being associated with a mental illness. Fear of being labeled weak is part of the human condition, and it is natural to worry about impact on education, careers and life goals. 2 Lack of insight: When someone has clear signs of a mental illness but is convinced nothing is wrong, this is known as anosognosia. 3 Limited awareness: A person sometimes minimizes their issues and rationalizes that what is going on is “not that bad” or “everyone gets stressed.” Learning more about symptoms and conditions is advised for everyone wanting to better understand depression. 4 Feelings of inadequacy: Many people believe that they are inadequate or it would mean failure to admit that something is wrong. They believe they should be able to handle it. 5 Distrust: Some find it difficult to share personal details with a counselor, and may worry that information will not be kept confidential 6 Hopelessness: Sometimes there is a feeling that nothing will ever get better and nothing will help. 7 Unavailability: Some may not know how to find help, and in underserved areas this problem is more significant. 8 Practical barriers: A lack of reliable transportation or the ability to pay for services or appointments times that conflict with work or school schedules are significant.
Why don't people take the steps needed to get help for depression?
Some of the most common reasons people do not take the steps needed to obtain help for depression include: Fear and shame: People recognize the negative stigma and discrimination of being associated with a mental illness.
Why is the integration of primary care and mental health services important?
The continuing integration of primary care and mental health services is meant to streamline the processes involved in getting people to the help that they need.
Why don't people seek help for mental illness?
Why Don’t People Seek Help for Mental Illness? January 15, 2019. Awareness of mental illness and the need for treatment has been growing in recent years. This is in large part due to campaigns designed to raise awareness of depression, addiction, bipolar disorder, and suicide, as well as more celebrities being open about their own mental health ...
What percentage of people with mental health issues don't seek treatment?
A study by the World Health Organization, or WHO, found that between 30 and 80 percent of people with mental health issues don’t seek treatment. This includes 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder, 55 percent of people with panic disorder, 56 percent of people with major depression, and a stunning 78 percent of people with alcohol use disorder.
What is the third way people can be unaware they need help?
The third way people can be unaware they need help is a condition called anosognosia. This typically occurs in about half of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They are essentially so impaired by their illness that they are unaware there’s anything wrong.
Is it hard to admit mental illness?
Most people struggling with mental illness are in a less secure position. Already unsure about themselves and their position in life, it’s hard to risk precious social and professional capital to seek help. Admitting your problem to your doctor, spouse, or even yourself can be difficult.
Can you compare your mental state to someone else's?
You only really know what it’s like to be you. There’s really no way to compare your mental state to someone else’s. If you’ve had a certain disorder since you can remember, it might not occur to you to seek help.
Why do people refuse to get help for depression?
Another reason why people often refuse depression treatment is that they feel it’s a sign of weakness. By admitting that they have depression and seeking out depression therapy, it seems to them that they admit they are not strong or “have it all together.”
Why do people reject treatment for depression?
This is the sad reality of our health care system and its failure to provide quality and affordable mental health care options.
Why don't people with SAD get care?
While prior research suggests that the most common reported reason people with SAD or GAD haven’t gotten care is out of fear of what others will say or think, showing how powerful stigma really is, other common reasons include lack of financial resources and not knowing where to go for care.
What percentage of people have anxiety disorders?
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, anxiety disorders as a group are the most common mental disorders among Americans, affecting 18 percent of people in any given year. Over 20 percent of those affected by anxiety disorders are considered to have high severity problems, representing more than 4 percent of the U.S. population.
What percentage of people have social anxiety?
Over the course of a lifetime, it is estimated that 12 percent of people will develop Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and 6 percent of people will develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). People with Social Anxiety Disorder have persistent concerns that others view them negatively, to the point of causing serious difficulty participating in ...
Is mental health insurance difficult?
As it is, between lack of insurance or other means to pay for treatment, poorer coverage for behavioral health, outsourcing of mental health to second-party providers, and frequent den ial of arguably valid claims, getting treatment for mental health issues remains far more difficult than it ought to be.
Can anxiety disorders be treated with parity?
People close to those with problems such as anxiety disorders can find ways to enable loved ones to get care without adding to the burden of stigma and shame, possibly averting tragedy. Parity legislation, which dictates that insurers pay for behavioral health the same as physical health, must be better implemented.
