Depressive Disorders: A Case Study

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Depressive disorders affects 18.8 million people yearly in the United States, and include major depression, dysthymia a less severe longer-lasting form of depression, and bipolar disorders manic-depressive illness. Unipolar major depression affects more than 50 million people worldwide and is expected to be the second leading cause of premature death and disability by 2020, based on a measure called disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs measure years of healthy life lost to premature death and disability. In 1998, unipolar major depression was the third leading cause of premature death and disability in Los Angeles County based on DALYs.
Depressive disorders have major effects on individuals, families, and society. They impair social …show more content…
In the findings of the adult population in Los Angeles County, 9% or an estimated 623,000 persons have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The percentage of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder was higher among women (11%) than men (7%) and the percentage of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder was highest in middle-aged adults: 40 to 49 years of age (11%) and 50 to 59 years of age (13%). The prevalence of diagnosed depressive disorders was highest in Whites (12%), followed by African-Americans (9%), Latinos (7%), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (4%11). The percentage of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder did not vary significantly by household income. The percentage of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder was higher among those unemployed (13%) or not in the workforce (12%) than among employed adults (7%). The percentage of adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder was higher among those who were widowed (12%), divorced (15%), separated (12%), or never married (10%) than those who were married (6%) or not married but living together …show more content…
Also to facilitate linkage with mental health and social support services when shown. Medications and psychological counseling are very effective for most people with depression. A primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychologist or other mental health professional. If someone has severe depression, they may need a hospital stay, or may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until their symptoms improve. Not everyone with depression has access to a doctor, medicine or psychiatrist and will suffer from this disease in silence. I believe mental health is important at every stage of life. Many prevention programs put into action across the lifespan have provided evidence on the reduction of elevated levels of depressive
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