Associates in Christian Counseling

Who Does Depression Hurt?

Depression is so pervasive that it has been referred to as “the common cold of psychological disorders.” By the year 2020, depression will be the second most common health problem in the world according to a PBS program entitled, “Depression: Out of the Shadows.”

There is no single, simple answer to the question of what causes depression. Psychological, biological, spiritual, environmental, and genetic factors—alone or in combination with each other-- all contribute to the development of depression. We’ve all seen the TV commercial that asks, “Who does depression hurt?” The answer is that no demographic is immune. Depression affects toddlers to the elderly, Christians and non-believers alike.

Children:
Most parents describe times when their child seems irritable or withdrawn. We may attribute it to a variety of different causes. “According to the National Mental Health Association, one in three American children suffers from depression. Magellan Behavior Health, the leading mental health provider in the United States, reports that more than 3,500 of its nearly 149,000 members with depressive disorders are under age 10.” [www.psychcentral.com/lib/2006/even-toddlers-get-the-blues]

Adolescents:
Adolescence by its very nature is a time of changing moods, sometimes by the hour, often making true depression difficult to diagnose. Girls are twice as likely as boys to suffer from depression. Most of the symptoms of depression will be the same as in adults. For adolescents, faltering grades may be another indicator as well as substance abuse which may be an attempt at self-medication to numb their own pain. [www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001518

Women:
In addition to factors already mentioned such as a specific event, a chemical imbalance, or a genetic predisposition, women have an additional factor which may account for the rates of depression being higher for them—hormones. The rate of depression in girls rises dramatically when they enter puberty. Women may experience depression as part of premenstrual syndrome. Some suffer extreme cases of postpartum depression after giving birth. Finally, menopause brings one last change to the hormonal balance.

Men:
Men tend to focus on strength, competition, and being in control---perhaps the very things which work against them if they struggle with depression. Acknowledging an emotional struggle may seem weak which makes them less likely than women to seek professional help. They may feel self-reliance, possibly with the addition of alcohol or drugs, will be the solution.

The Elderly:
Depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans over the age of 65. For some, they have suffered with depressive episodes throughout their lives; for others, the first occurrence comes as they age. Changes in health and abilities, loss of family or friends, or changes in living situations are all events which can cause depression. With the focus of both family and physicians on physical health, however, depression is often undiagnosed and untreated in this population sometimes with tragic results—the highest rate of suicide in the US is among older white men. [www.nami.org; Depression in Older Persons]

The answer to the question, “Who does depression hurt?”, would have to be everyone. Even if you have never suffered from clinical depression, you almost certainly know someone who has or is currently struggling with depression. Depression is one of the most treatable illnesses with 80-90% of people finding relief. Talk therapy alone or in combination with medication can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression,
make an appointment for yourself or encourage them to call
336-896-0065, ext. 203.