Depression can affect anyone, but it is most common in women, young adults (18-25), and individuals facing high stress, trauma, or chronic illness. Key risk factors include a family history of depression, low self-esteem, financial problems, and lack of social support.

What type of people are prone to depression?

People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person's life situation and the depression itself.

How long does depression last?

Depression duration varies widely, but an untreated major depressive episode often lasts 6 to 12 months, averaging 5 to 7 months, though it can range from a few weeks to many years, especially in chronic cases. Factors like severity, type (e.g., Persistent Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Depression), co-occurring conditions, and timely treatment significantly impact how long symptoms last, with effective care often shortening episodes and preventing recurrence. 

Which personality is most prone to depression?

People high in neuroticism (very emotionally sensitive) and introverts are two personality types more likely to experience negative thoughts research finds. In addition, being introverted is linked to spontaneously remembering more negative life events.

Who is most affected by depression?

Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.

Who is at high risk for depression?

Risk factors

Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic. Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems.

What is the least happy personality type?

INFJ personality types and INFP personality types are two of the MBTI personality types that tend to struggle with unhappiness in life. For INFJ personality types and INFP personality types, this unhappiness usually stems from keeping themselves small.

Are highly intelligent people more prone to depression?

Anxiety, Depression, and Intelligence

However, intelligence has drawbacks too. For example, studies have found that higher IQ is associated with more and earlier drug use. Studies have also found that higher IQ is associated with more mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

At what age is depression highest?

Depression prevalence varies by age, and the total percentage of adults with depression is the highest among those aged 18–29 years old (Villarroel and Terlizzi, 2020).

Is depression 100% curable?

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 70% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment.

What is the fastest way to treat depression?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment may be used to treat severe, life-threatening depression that has not responded to medicines. A mild electrical current is passed through the brain. This triggers a brief seizure.

What does a depressive episode feel like?

A depressive episode feels like a persistent, overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness, coupled with a profound loss of interest (anhedonia) in once-enjoyable activities, accompanied by severe fatigue, sleep/appetite changes, concentration issues, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, and sometimes thoughts of death or suicide, significantly disrupting daily life. It's more than just sadness; it's a deep, pervasive state affecting mind, body, and behavior, making even small tasks feel monumental.

Are depressed people emotionally intelligent?

People with major depression have been shown to have difficulties understanding and managing their emotions. And research has also shown that more depressive symptoms are present in people with lower emotional intelligence – even if they are not clinically depressed.

What is the least happy age?

A huge research study concluded that in developed countries, people start having decreasing levels of happiness starting at age 18. It continues in their 20s and 30s before reaching an unhappiness peak — or bottoming out, if you prefer — at the precise age of 47.2.

What is the hardest personality to live with?

According to psychology, there are specific personality types that are notoriously difficult to live with. These can include the passive-aggressive communicator, the relentless critic, or the energy-draining pessimist. However, recognizing these traits is the first step toward managing the stress they cause.

What do people with depression crave?

On the other hand, individuals with depression often have increased cravings for food items rich in sugar and carbohydrates. Depression seems to alter energy metabolism and gut-brain communication, creating neurochemical imbalances like reduced serotonin activity that drive these cravings.

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