A recent study published in the Social Indicator Research journal suggests that there are more depressed Americans today than there has ever been before.
The study was conducted by a group of researchers from the San Diego State University. The said study involved 6.9 million teen-aged and adult Americans from several states. The yield of the analysis they rendered on the research they have conducted suggests that depression among Americans today has taken toll on their psychosomatic well-being.
Most depressed Americans also suffer disruptions in sleeping patterns which often spiral to trouble at school or at work. These resulting disruptions have been found to be more prevalent today among depressed Americans than they have been in the 1980's.
The research also states that even when depression is now being taken seriously among affected individuals as more and more seek professional help rather than "sleeping through it", more and more depression-related symptoms are being ignored by affected individuals not knowing that the difficulty they are experiencing are related to the condition.
Among teenagers, the most common symptoms include forgetfulness (trouble remembering things in general), sense of being easily overwhelmed, getting unusually fidgety, trouble maintaining good grades and trouble falling asleep at night.
Adults share almost the same set of common symptoms with teenagers. However, instead of having trouble in school performance, adults tend to have trouble with productivity and concentration in the work place.
Another indication of depression that is shared by adults and teenagers is the loss of interest on things and activities that were once great sources of leisure. Withdrawal from their usual peer group and even the unusual loss of interest in socializing with other people is yet another symptom.
While the suicide occurrence among teens and adults who are depressed have declined over the past year, mental health experts still urge patients and their families not to miss checking with a doctor for therapy and medication, should the need arise.
