Depression in Young Adults
Depression in young adults is a common health problem and a growing public concern. In 2006, 1 in 20 U.S. adults had experienced a major depressive episode with severe impairment. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that among ages 18–24, 2.8% met the criteria for major depression, 8.1% met the criteria for other depression (DSM-IV category Depressive Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified – minor or subthreshold depression, or Dysthymia) and 10.9% met the criteria for current depression. Forty-four percent of American college students report feeling symptoms of depression. This data suggests that traditional college aged students may be at high risk for depression or depressed mood.
Each year 44 colleges and universities use random sampling to administer the American College Health Association's (ACHA) National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey to 28,000 students. This assessment surveys students' health status and behavior, including depression and depressive symptoms, for their previous academic year. Based on the findings, the rates of students reporting having been diagnosed with depression have increased from 10% in 2000 to 21% in 2011. In 2011, female students reported depressive symptoms, including 22% feeling that things were hopeless, 23% feeling lonely and 26% feeling very sad within the preceding two weeks to 21% in 2011. Women are at higher risk than men to experience depression.
Read more about this topic: Depression (mood)
Famous quotes containing the words depression, young and/or adults:
“Could it be that those who were reared in the postwar years really were spoiled, as we used to hear? Did a child-centered generation, raised in depression and war, produce a self-centered generation that resents children and parenthood?”
—C. John Sommerville (20th century)
“A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children’s self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning.”
—Carol B. Hillman (20th century)
“Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly often attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults.”
—Thomas Szasz (b. 1920)