Charted: How Many People Get Depression in Their Lives?

Visual Capitalist December 26, 2023
Our World in Data

How Many People Get Depression in Their Lives?

Depression is one of the most common mental health ailments, affecting millions of people across the world.

According to Our World in Data, one in three women and one in five men in the U.S. suffer through at least one episode of depression in their lifetime.

These charts from Our World in Data use data presented in a 2020 medical study that examine the share of people in the U.S. that have had an episode of major depression.

Measuring Depression

While most illnesses can be measured using blood tests, brain scans, and biomarkers, diagnosing depression is a bit more complex.

This study looked specifically at episodes of major depression—feeling sadness or a...

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