Depression Rates Higher Across The Country

Despite increasing awareness and acceptance about mental health issues, recent findings show that more Americans are depressed than they have been in the past few decades.

"Previous studies found that more people have been treated for depression in recent years, but that could be due to more awareness and less stigma," said lead study author San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge, in a news release. "This study shows an increase in symptoms most people don't even know are connected to depression, which suggests adolescents and adults really are suffering more."

After thorough analyzation of data from 6.9 million adolescents and adults all over the country, researchers found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression, such as trouble sleeping and trouble concentrating, than their counterparts in the 1980s.

Compared to their 1980s counterparts, teens in the 2010s are about 38 percent more likely to have difficulty remembering and 74 percent more likely to have trouble sleeping. Furthermore, they're about twice as likely to have seen a professional for health issues as well.

College students surveyed throughout the time period were also about 50 percent more likely to say they felt overwhelmed. Adults were also more likely to say their sleep was restless and to have a poor appetite.

"Despite all of these symptoms, people are not any more likely to say they are depressed when asked directly, again suggesting that the rise is not based on people being more willing to admit depression," Twenge added.

Fortunately, findings revealed that suicide rates among teens decreased. Though the decline was rather small, the increased use of antidepressant medications does appear to have been of help.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Social Indicators Research.