20 less known facts about depression in India

‘Depression’ is a common word in India. We use it to describe ourselves when we experience a failure, a heartbreak, or feel tired or upset. But what does this term mean? Although we use it casually, the word itself refers to a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. The WHO describes depression as “a persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.”

“Mental health is not a destination but a process.”
— Taylor Swift

We know it can be a bit confusing- so how do we know if someone is depressed or not? Not to worry, we can help you understand more about the disorder. Here we have compiled a list of facts about depression in India. The information has been collected from a range of sources and can be surprising so hold onto your seats!

20 less known facts about depression in India

• 1. The National Mental Health Survey, 2015–16, reported that about 1 in 20 Indians suffers from depression.
• 2.The rate of depression in Jharkhand, Tamilnadu, West Bengal, and Manipur was higher than the national rates in 2017.
• 3.In 2017, about 45.7 million people in India were affected by depressive disorders.
• 4.Depression contributed the highest to the total disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) (33.8%) in 2017.
• 5.In India, the prevalence of depressive disorders is higher than communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
• 6.The prevalence of depression in urban metros is higher when compared to rural and non-metro regions in India.
• 7.More females than males are affected by depressive disorders in India.
• 8.Depression in India is reported to be highest in the age group 40–49 years.
• 9.In India, depression is higher in the productive age group (30–59 years). This has a significant effect on the country’s economy.
• 10.A study in 2018 highlighted a higher risk of depression among Indians in the lowest-income category.
• 11.Individuals who have been recently separated/divorced/widowed also have a higher risk of depression.
• 12.Another study found that about 42.5% of Indian corporate employees suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder.
• 13.Nearly 50% of individuals with depressive disorders in India also experience another mental illness.
• 14.It almost takes 2.5 months for Indians to seek help for depression after the symptoms start to appear.
• 15.Almost 50% of those with major depressive disorders have difficulty carrying out daily activities.
• 16.Depression is often associated with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.
• 17.About one-third of individuals seeking healthcare facilities in India could have symptoms related to depression.
• 18.The cost of care for individuals experiencing depressive disorders is approximately one-sixth of their monthly household income.
• 19.The National Mental Health Survey 2015–16 also identified that nearly 23 million adults would need care for depressive disorders.
• 20.In India, the prevalence rate of depression is also associated with the suicide death rate

The blog was written with the expert guidance and feedback of Dr. Vetrivel, MD Psychiatry, DNB Psychiatry. He is a consultant psychiatrist at CareMe Health and the Director of Vetri Clinic at Tirunelveli.

Do you think you have depression?

So how did you like reading these research findings? We hope it has given you a better understanding of “depression’. If you think that you might have depression, please reach out to the CareMe Health team! We have a brilliant team of licensed professionals. They are highly qualified clinical psychologists and psychiatrists who can help you deal with depression! Book your first session now!

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