Overview of Depression and Suicide

Depression Overview ›› Depression Overview

Depression is a potentially life-threatening mood disorder that affects 1 in 6, or approximately 17.6 million Americans each year. ¹.

In 1997, suicide was the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. 10.6 out of every 100,000 persons died by suicide. The total number of suicides was approximately 30,535. Up to 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.

Unipolar forms of depression are more common in women than men. In Britain, 3-4% of men and 7-8% of women suffer from moderate to severe depression at any one time. ²

Bipolar depression affects men and women equally, and afflicts about 5 people in 1000. ²

Antidepressants can be very effective in helping people to recover from depression, but can also be used to attempt suicide through an overdose. There is no evidence to show that they reduce suicide or self harm.³

Only 50% of persons diagnosed with major depression receive any kind of treatment, and only 20% of those individuals receive treatment consistent with current practice guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). ^4,5

Call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) � or the deaf hotline at 800-799-4889

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1 � http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16520921

2 � http://www.sane.org.uk/About_Mental_Illness/Depression.htm

3 � Khan, A, and Khan, S, et al, (2003), �Suicide rates in clincial trials of SSRIs, other antidpressants, and placebo: analysis of FDA reports�, American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 790-2

4 � Gonzales HM, Vega WA, Williams DR, Tarraf W, West BT, Neighbors HW. Depression care in the United States: too little for too few. Arch Gen Psych. 2010;67(1):37-46.

5 � APA. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (3rd edition). American Psychiatric Association. Available at http://www.psych.org/guidelines/mdd2010. Accessed October 13, 2010.