What percentage of Americans are depressed?

Asked by: Itzel Treutel  |  Last update: December 31, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (54 votes)

Basic Facts About Depression. Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year.

What percentage of US suffers from depression?

Introduction. Approximately 20% of Australians will be diagnosed with a depressive disorder in their lifetime.

What country has the highest rate of depression?

Countries with High Depression Rates
  • United States. The United States reports some of the highest depression rates globally. ...
  • India. India is another country with high rates of depression. ...
  • China. In China, depression rates are also on the rise. ...
  • Economic Factors. ...
  • Societal Stigma. ...
  • Access to Healthcare.

What percentage of Americans suffer from sad?

About 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it typically lasts about 40% of the year.

What percentage of the US population has a mental health issue?

22.8% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021 (57.8 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults. 5.5% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2021 (14.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.

More Americans suffer major depression, Blue Cross Blue Shield finds

34 related questions found

At what age does 75% of all lifetime mental ill health begin?

50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

What state has the highest depression rate?

Among states, the age-standardized prevalence of depression ranged from 12.7% in Hawaii to 27.5% in West Virginia (median = 19.9%) (Table 2). The 10 states with the highest prevalence were (in descending order) West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vermont, Alabama, Louisiana, Washington, Missouri, and Montana.

Does SAD get worse with age?

Plus, with age, the weight gain, sleepiness, and lethargy associated with SAD may seem to get worse, and the heaviness of winter may feel harder to overcome than in years past.

What percent of depressed people commit?

The lifetime risk of suicide among patients with untreated depressive disorder is nearly 20%.

What race has the highest rate of depression?

Researchers discovered severe depression is significantly higher in those who are Black, Hispanic, or of multiple or unspecified races compared to non-Hispanic white people. Specifically, Black and Hispanic participants reported higher levels of: sadness. inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia)

At what age does mental illness typically start?

Roughly half of all lifetime mental disorders in most studies start by the mid‐teens and three‐fourths by the mid‐20s. Later onsets are mostly secondary conditions.

What is the least depressed country?

Countries with the least depression include several smaller, lower-income countries in South Asia such as Brunei, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and Mali, where less than 2.5% of the population is reported to have a depressive disorder.

Which age group has the most depression?

At What Age Is Depression Most Common? According to CDC data from 2019, 21% of adults experiencing any depressive symptoms in the most recent two weeks were between 18 and 29 years old. This incidence is the largest among all adult age groups.

What is the most common mental illness?

3 Most Common Mental Health Disorders in America
  • Anxiety disorders. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, this disorder is highly treatable, but only around 37 percent of those affected actually receive treatment. ...
  • Major depressive disorder. ...
  • Bipolar disorder. ...
  • How We Can Help.

What percentage of men seek mental help?

In 2023, around 17 percent of men in the United States received mental health treatment or counseling in the past year.

Does your brain age faster when depressed?

Additionally, studies have found a significant overlap between the biological pathways related to depression and those that accompany the aging process, suggesting that depressive disorders likely contribute to accelerated brain aging (Geerlings et al., 2013; Han et al., 2021b; Wolkowitz et al., 2010).

Does vitamin D help with SAD?

Can supplements help with SAD? Some people find that taking vitamin supplements, such as vitamin D helps with energy levels and tiredness. However, the NHS doesn't recommend vitamins D as part of SAD treatment, so it's best to speak to your doctor if you think you're experiencing this mental health condition.

What is the SAD hormone called?

production of serotonin – serotonin is a hormone that affects your mood, appetite and sleep; a lack of sunlight may lead to lower serotonin levels, which is linked to feelings of depression.

What's the worst state of depression?

Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often just called “depression.” It's the most severe type of depression. Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death by suicide.

Which major has the most depression?

MEDICINE MOST STRESSFUL MAJOR

Right behind them were the law, social work, and engineering majors. While business students ranked fifth in terms of depression, with a 3.1% increase in depression over the past five years, medical students faced a staggering 35.3% rise in depression from 2019 to 2024.

What percent of Americans have anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 7% of children aged 3-17 experience issues with anxiety each year. Most people develop symptoms before age 21.

What are BPD eyes?

Dissociation and Emotional Dysregulation in BPD

This might manifest as a "glazed-over" or "empty" look in their eyes, hence the term "empty eyes." This phenomenon is also associated with depersonalization or derealization, where individuals feel detached from themselves or their surroundings.

What is the deadliest mental health?

Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa) are associated with high premature mortality and are generally considered to be among the most lethal of all psychiatric disorders (1).

What does a BPD meltdown look like?

BPD Meltdown

These episodes involve intense emotional reactions that can be triggered by stress, rejection, or perceived abandonment. During a meltdown, people may experience extreme mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty calming down.