How Common is Depression?

How Common is Depression?

The Albany Clinic • August 4, 2022

Everyone gets sad and has bad days. Sometimes it’s because of a rough workday, a tough exam at school, or something else. But when sadness, problems eating or sleeping, or relationship troubles interfere with daily life, you could be suffering from depression. Managing symptoms is key to healthy living.

What is Depression?

Depression is a widespread and severe mental illness that negatively influences your feelings, your thoughts, and how you behave in private and public. Thankfully, a variety of treatments like psychotherapy or ketamine exist to curb its symptoms. Besides feelings of sadness, depression often means you’re no longer interested in pleasurable activities. Depression can result in a variety of emotional and bodily ailments and can reduce your capability to do things at work, home, or school.

What Causes Depression?

Depression isn’t like the discomfort from a paper cut. You don’t know what caused it or when it’ll go away. But research points to some possibilities:

  • Faulty communication between neurotransmitters in the brain, affecting how we perceive pain and emotions. Ketamine may strengthen chemical messengers like glutamate, making it easier to control your depression symptoms.
  • Genetics plays a role. If your biological parents or another blood relative experiences depression, there’s a greater chance you will, too.

How Common is Depression?

Depression Symptoms

Everyone reacts to depression differently, but many symptoms that one person experiences would be instantly recognizable to someone challenged by the same condition. Depression can harm your thoughts, emotions, and physical wellness. Depression symptoms to look for include:

  • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or constant worry
  • Things you enjoyed doing before don’t bring pleasure or happiness
  • Irritation or frustration
  • Significant changes in appetite
  • Sleep problems
  • Memory trouble and having a hard time concentrating
  • Physical aches and pains, including headaches and gastrointestinal problems
  • Thinking about harming or killing yourself. If you have suicidal thoughts, call for help

Depression by the Numbers

  • Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population aged 18 and older, in a given year. (National Institute of Mental Health “Major Depression,” 2017)”
  • According to the American Medical Association Journal, depression is more prevalent in women than in men.
  • Depression also harms nearly two million children a year, ages 3 to 17, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018.
  • If you’re an adult with depression, you have a 64% greater chance of getting coronary artery disease.
  • The World Health Organization estimated about 280 million people suffer from depression symptoms. The group also called it a leading source of disability and leads to about 800,000 suicides every year. Fortunately, many symptoms of depression, other mental illnesses, and chronic pain disorders respond positively to treatment with ketamine infusion therapy.

Kinds of Depression

Kinds of depression include:

  • Major depressive disorder is characterized by intense or overpowering symptoms that persist for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily life.
  • Bipolar disorder depression is when someone has alternating low moods and very high-energy episodes. You could have symptoms like sadness, hopelessness, or low energy when you’re down.
  • Perinatal and postpartum depression can happen during pregnancy and for up to a year following childbirth. Typical symptoms include minimal sadness, fear, or stress.
  • Persistent depressive disorder has less troublesome symptoms than major depression, but they can last for two years or more.
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is an extreme kind of premenstrual disorder affecting women in the days or weeks preceding their menstrual period.
  • Seasonal affective disorder is a type of seasonal depression and normally begins in late fall and early winter and coincides with fewer daylight hours. It usually subsides by the spring or summer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Getting diagnosed with depression requires a physical examination and a psychiatric assessment. The goal of the physical exam is to discover underlying problems which may cause symptoms. A psyche assessment roots out thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and any personal or family history of mental illness. Your doctor may also refer to diagnostic tools to help, including the DSM-5 , the Beck Depression Inventory , the EQ-5D, and several other tools or reference materials.

Once you’ve been diagnosed, you and your healthcare provider can talk about treatment options. You may be referred to psychotherapy, self-help, lifestyle changes, ketamine infusion , or nasal sprays.

Final Thoughts

Depression is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world. For someone experiencing it, depression symptoms are debilitating and seriously harm their quality of life. If you’re feeling like low moods and other problems are ruining your life, innovative treatment options are available through your healthcare provider.

The post How Common is Depression? appeared first on The Albany Clinic.

Book Your Free Initial Consultation
By Matt Rodriguez September 2, 2025
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people across all walks of life. While many find relief through traditional methods, they don’t work for everyone. Some people can struggle with depression for nearly a lifetime, and in severe cases, may even consider taking their own lives. At The Albany Clinic, we specialize in innovative, evidence-based treatments that can help patients overcome depression, even when other therapies haven’t worked. In this article, we’ll discuss these treatments and how clinics such as our own are saving lives.
By Kimberly Mercille July 9, 2025
As ketamine therapy becomes increasingly popular for treating mental health conditions like depression and PTSD, more people are exploring their options. At-home ketamine therapy gained traction during the pandemic for its convenience, but without medical supervision, this approach may come with elevated risks. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key differences and pros and cons of in-clinic versus at-home ketamine therapy. What Is In-Clinic Ketamine Therapy? IV Ketamine Treatment In-clinic ketamine therapy involves receiving treatment at a licensed medical facility, such as The Albany Clinic , where professionals monitor and administer the medication under strict protocols. This ensures your safety, especially during your initial sessions. At The Albany Clinic, we specialize in intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion therapy , which has been most well-researched when it comes to treating mental health disorders. IV ketamine bypasses the digestive system, delivering the medication directly into the bloodstream. IV ketamine can help relieve symptoms of various mental health disorders, including depression , anxiety , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , and more. During an infusion at our clinic, you’ll rest in a calm, controlled environment while ketamine is delivered into a vein through a catheter. Our trained staff will closely monitor your vital signs and mental state throughout the session, adjusting the dose of ketamine if needed. We’ll observe you after treatment to ensure any side effects are managed promptly and effectively. Spravato We also offer Spravato (esketamine) at our clinic, a nasal spray based on ketamine. Unlike other forms of ketamine treatment, Spravato is approved by the FDA and is specifically for adults with treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts . Spravato is only approved for in-clinic use under professional supervision and cannot be administered at home, making clinical oversight a legal and medical necessity for this treatment option. During a Spravato session, you’ll self-administer the medication under the supervision of our medical staff. We’ll then closely monitor you for a couple of hours to ensure you’re safe and all side effects have subsided before leaving. What Is At-Home Ketamine Therapy? At-home ketamine therapy allows patients to self-administer the ketamine, typically in the form of lozenges or nasal sprays, delivered via mail. While this option offers flexibility, it usually involves minimal supervision , often limited to virtual check-ins with healthcare providers. Some at-home providers offer optional video support during sessions, but this is not always the case. Patients are largely responsible for monitoring their own physical and emotional reactions, without the benefit of immediate medical intervention if adverse effects occur. At-home treatment often includes supplementary materials , such as guided meditations or journaling tools. However, the lack of real-time clinical oversight makes this option less ideal for those with complex or severe mental health needs. Safety Considerations: In-Clinic vs. At-Home While ketamine therapy is considered safe for most patients, it does come with potential physical and psychological side effects , including: Physical Risks: Elevated blood pressure or heart rate Nausea or vomiting Sedation or dizziness Impaired coordination Rare allergic reactions Psychological Risks: Hallucinations or dissociation Temporary confusion or anxiety Emotional vulnerability during treatment Risk of misuse or dependency The FDA has issued warnings about at-home ketamine use due to its potential for abuse and lack of medical supervision . Without proper monitoring, the risk of addiction and long-term complications, such as bladder damage and cognitive decline, may increase. Key Differences Between In-Clinic and At-Home Ketamine Therapy
By Matt Rodriguez July 8, 2025
Intravenous (IV) ketamine has emerged as a promising option for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression and other hard-to-treat mental health conditions. Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic, but is now being used in controlled medical settings to deliver rapid relief when traditional therapies fall short. This guide explores the history, science, benefits, and practical considerations of IV ketamine therapy and what you can expect from treatment at The Albany Clinic.