Less Americans Are Feeling Depressed

A new study comes in on a positive note, suggesting that fewer Americans are feeling blue. In fact, the study shows that rates of depression in people over 50 are on the decline.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that between 1998 and 2008, rates of severe depression fell among the majority of older adults, and especially among the elderly, who tend to be at a higher risk for depression. However, the study showed that those going through the later stages of middle age, between 55-59, appeared to experience increased depression over the 10 year period.

"Over that decade, we saw a significant decrease in depression among older adults, and we need further studies to explore whether this is the result of improved treatment," said lead author Kara Zivin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry in the U-M Medical School and research investigator at the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, via a press release. "Even with signs of progress, however, a significant percent of our population is still experiencing severe symptoms of depression, and we need to do more to ensure all of these groups have proper access to treatment."

Late-life depression has been linked to concern about future health for oneself and the health of loved ones. During later stages in life, some may face the death of a loved one, isolation, medical problems or changes in economic status. This new study shows, however, that improvements in the later stages can be made, exhibiting a pronounced drop in those ages 80-84.

The study notes that increases in depression rates were concentrated among people in late middle age between ages 55-59 --a group that hasn't traditionally been focused on as an at-risk group.

"It's unclear whether this shift is an indication of a sicker population not being treated adequately, a burden on people of that age at that particular time or something else, which is why we need to do more research to better understand these patterns," Zivin said, via the release.

More information regarding the study can be found in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.