Depression Bipolar affective disorder Further reading and sources Questions/Answers
Epidemiology Causes Symptoms of depression Management of depression Special types of depression
Prevalence 6-mth prevalence range: 2.2% (ECA)—5.3% (NCS)—6.7%(NCS-R; note 2% prevalence of severe episodes) in the general population
Lifetime rates 4.4% (ECA)—16.5% (NCS-R)— 30% general population 10–20% younger adults: increasing Urban areas : higher
Sex ratio ♂ ∶ ♀= 1:2 UK 4% in men / 8% in women
Suicide rates In major depression : about 10%
Predisposing causes Genetic factors: first-degree rilatives monozygotic twins Many genes
Predisposing causes Childhood experiences: loss of a parent , lack of parental care, parental alcoholism/antisocial traits, childhood sexual abuse
Predisposing causes Personality traits: anxiety, impulsivity, obsessionality