300 million people around the world have depression* and I am one of them

The statistics are compelling.

What’s the first thing most of us do if we want to find out more about something?

Google it. Every two seconds somebody Googles ‘depression’ in the UK.

While anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., depression isn’t far behind.

The most recent depression statistics are:

According to data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 17.3 million adults in the United States—equaling 7.1% of all adults in the country—have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year
11 million U.S. adults experienced an episode that resulted in severe impairment in the past year
Nearly 50% of all people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder
It’s estimated that 15% of the adult population will experience depression at some point in their lifetime.

Read the full article here.

My thanks to  Amy Morin, LCSW for the great article and useful information.

Understanding the latest depression statistics could increase awareness about mental health. Recognizing how widespread depression is could also help reduce the stigma—which might encourage more people to seek treatment.

As a matter of fact, growing up, I railed against any association with depression.

In fact, several members of my family tree had “nerves.” In all honesty, this kept me focused on not having nerves. I grew up feeling that I must be the rock, the evergreen, strong family member who could overcome all odds and protect the family, solving all their problems. And I even worked to solve the problems that had nothing to do with me.

Depression suggested I be responsible for the problems of the world and I obliged.

What is more, now I discover that I have depression, that I am one of 11 million U.S. adults who have experienced a severe impairment in the past year. But that sounds better than saying “I was hospitalized for Major Depressive Disorder.”

Moreover, having written over 150 blog posts since returning home, I am on a mission to share my journey with others. Further, I am learning firsthand about the resources available, and the challenges associated with have a mental illness.

My writing is my way of working through my new relationship with depression.

Actually, having a chance to air what I am thinking helps. Depression wants me to remain secretive, to not talk about it, or say its name out loud. Well screw that. To say nothing of the fact that I am keeping depression out in the open, where I can keep an eye on it.

Depression knows I am watching it.

However, this is making depression mad and it is working on new, underhanded, mischievous ways to get me back under its control. So, I remain vigilant and watchful every single day.

Indeed, “I have depression, depression does not have me.“

What have you Googled recently?

* As of 2017, 300 million people around the world have depression, according to the World Health Organization