Anxiety And Depression - You Are Not Alone

Anxiety And Depression - You Are Not Alone

When one gets depressed, it is hard to put things into perspective. You might feel unloved, unappreciated, undesired -- and completely alone. The fact is that you are not alone. Studies show that approximately 19 million Americans suffer from depression each year -- and that is only counting the people who have reported depression or been diagnosed with it. It doesn't count the number of people who don't report it or seek treatment.

The number becomes astounding when you consider the fact that in the entire world, it is estimated that 80% of those who are depressed will not seek treatment.

Are you aware that everyone in the world will be affected by depression at some point in their lives? They may not actually become depressed themselves, but if they don't, they will be in contact at some point with someone else who is depressed -- usually a loved one.

Amazingly enough, 15% of the population of the world's most developed countries suffer from depression. People in underdeveloped countries don't suffer from depression nearly as much. Scientists believe that this is because those people are consumed with actual survival more than anything else, more than people in countries where our survival needs are easily met. There is simply no room or time for depression to set in.

More women suffer from depression than men. In fact, studies indicate that about 30% of all women in the world suffer from depression. It is believed that only 15% of the men in the world suffer from depression.

Sadly, in spite of all of the information that we now have concerning depression, its causes, and its treatment, about 54% of the people in the world view depression as a personal weakness. Is it any wonder 41% of the women who suffer from depression will not seek help?

The saddest depression statistic of all, however, is the fact that out of all of the people who suffer from depression, an estimated 15% of them will commit suicide -- successfully. It is believed that by the year 2020, depression will be the second-highest cause of death, after heart disease.