How does depression affect society as a whole?

Unaddressed mental health problems can have a negative influence on homelessness, poverty, employment, safety, and the local economy. They may impact the productivity of local businesses and health care costs, impede the ability of children and youth to succeed in school, and lead to family and community disruption.

Who in our society is most likely to suffer from depression?

Depression is most common in ages 18 to 25 (10.9 percent) and in individuals belonging to two or more races (10.5 percent). Women are twice as likely as men to have had a depressive episode, according to the NIMH and the World Health Organization (WHO) .

How did people use to deal with depression?

Exorcisms, drowning, and burning were popular treatments of the time. Many people were locked up in so-called “lunatic asylums.” While some doctors continued to seek physical causes for depression and other mental illnesses, they were in the minority.

How does depression affect social development?

Individuals with more depressive symptoms may experience fewer social interactions because: (1) they may elicit rejection from others as they induce a negative mood in their interaction partners17,18,19 and (2) they are likely to receive less reinforcement from the social environment, which contributes to a feeling of …

Why do we need to conduct a study about depression?

You can not only help those suffering from depression, you can identify those who are under the risk of depression as well. Many people in college go through tough times, however learning about MDD can help you identify those who are at serious risk of hurt and psychological illness.

How did science change our understanding of depression?

In the past, depression was often described as simply a chemical imbalance in the brain. In recent years, scientists began to notice that the brain cell growth and connections actually may play a larger roll.

How did depression begin?

It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Over the next several years, consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and employment as failing companies laid off workers.