Epidemiology of depression (Europe and North-America).
The published prevalence rates of depressive disorders have steadily increased during the last 20 years. Despite many methodological and social cultural influences, the increase seems to be real and reasons for this trend are given. Among them, the increase of life expectancy, the urbanization, and the possibility for effective treatment are the most important. Among the interfering variables, symptom changes like actually from depression to anxiety should further be investigated.
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009656:North America; D014504:Urban Health