Probability of Experiencing Major Depression
8.3%
Annual probability in US
About 8.3% of US adults (21.0 million people) had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affected approximately 21.0 million US adults (8.3%) in 2021, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The lifetime prevalence is significantly higher, estimated at 20-25% for women and 10-12% for men. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Women are roughly twice as likely as men to experience depression. Young adults aged 18-25 have the highest past-year prevalence at 18.6%. Other risk factors include family history, childhood trauma, chronic medical conditions, substance use, social isolation, and major life stressors. Depression commonly co-occurs with anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and chronic pain.
Despite being highly treatable, only about 61% of adults with major depression received treatment. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, antidepressant medications (SSRIs are first-line), exercise, and for treatment-resistant cases, ketamine/esketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Early treatment significantly improves outcomes and reduces the risk of recurrence.
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