Depression does not discriminate:
Age and Gender in Depression
Young and old, men and women can exhibit signs of depression.
The following is an overview of how depression affects us.
Ever since depression has been discovered as a genuine health issue, research has been conducted. Interestingly many of these researchers have noted that twice as many women are affected.
It was also found that symptoms vary depending on age groups.
Because it is misunderstood, childhood depression is often misdiagnosed. Childhood depression goes far beyond just being sad. A depressed child loses interest in things they normally enjoy doing, wants to be alone and rarely laughs aloud.
Teenage Depression / Adolescent Depression
Depression in teenagers/adolescents is pretty common. Teenage girls are at higher risk of becoming depressed than boys. Depressed teens tend to exhibit anti-social behavior and many abuse drugs, alcohol and/or smoke.
Depression later in life is not easily identified because many diseases that affect the elderly mask the symptoms of depression. Unlike in other age groups, older persons (over 60) suffer from depression are more likely to commit or try to commit suicide.
It is believed that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression in its various forms. Women are at higher risk of becoming depressed for a number or reasons: hormonal changes, societal expectations, emotional and physical abuse, financial hardships, and genetic factors among others.
Over six million American men suffer from depression yearly. Although both men and women share many symptoms of depression, but men are more likely to lash out and become aggressive. Depressed men are also more like to drink excessively and or work hard in an effort to 'sort themselves out'.
If left untreated depression in any of these groupings can have serious, long-lasting physical, emotional and mental problems.
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