Depression triples between ages 12 and 15 in girls in U.S.

July 31, 2012 in Psychology & Psychiatry

Depression triples between ages 12 and 15 in girls in U.S.

An average of 12.0 percent of girls aged 12 to 17 years have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, with the rates tripling for girls between the ages of 12 and 15, according to a report published July 19 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

(HealthDay) -- An average of 12.0 percent of girls aged 12 to 17 years have experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year, with the rates tripling for girls between the ages of 12 and 15, according to a report published July 19 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Researchers from SAMHSA, located in Rockville, Md., used data from the 2008 to 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to examine the incidence of MDE among adolescents in the past year.

The researchers found that an annual average of 1.4 million girls (12.0 percent) aged 12 to 17 years experienced a MDE in the past year, compared with 4.5 percent of their male peers. Between the ages of 12 and 15, the percentage of girls who experienced a MDE tripled, from 5.1 to 15.2 percent. In the past year, about one-third of girls aged 12 to 14 with MDE received treatment, compared with about two-fifths of those aged 15 to 17.

"It is crucial that we provide the and social supports they need to avoid the onset of depression, and to offer behavioral health services that foster resilience and recovery if they experience it," Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., a SAMHSA administrator, said in a statement. "These efforts are a sound investment in girls' health and well-being and in our nation's future."

More information: More Information

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

5 /5 (1 vote)  

Rank 5 /5 (1 vote)
Related Stories
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

(HealthDay)—The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.

Psychology & Psychiatry created 47 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Teens exposed to schoolmate's death by suicide much more likely to consider or attempt suicide

Youth who had a schoolmate die by suicide are significantly more likely to consider or attempt suicide, according to a study in published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). This effect can last 2 years or mo ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 4 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression.

Psychology & Psychiatry created 12 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Mediterranean diet seems to boost ageing brain power

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, indicates research published online in the Journal of ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 21 hours ago | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 2

The incidence of eating disorders is increasing in the UK

More people are being diagnosed with eating disorders every year and the most common type is not either of the two most well known—bulimia or anorexia—but eating disorders not otherwise specified (eating disorders that ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 21 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Antidepressant reduces stress-induced heart condition

A drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety may improve a stress-related heart condition in people with stable coronary heart disease, according to researchers at Duke Medicine.

Americans still making unhealthy choices, CDC reports

(HealthDay)—The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or ...

CDC presents recent trends in health behaviors of US adults

(HealthDay)—In 2008 to 2010, the prevalence of key health behaviors among U.S. adults varied, with about one in five adults current smokers and 62.1 percent overweight or obese, according to a report presented ...

Study examines outbreak of spinal infections in Michigan

(HealthDay)—Factors such as increased case finding may explain why Michigan had half of the total spinal infections associated with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate in the recent fungal meningitis ...

Early use of tracheostomy for mechanically ventilated patients not associated with improved survival

For critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation, early tracheostomy (within the first 4 days after admission) was not associated with an improvement in the risk of death within 30 days compared to patients who ...

CDC says high number of public pools contain microbes

(HealthDay)—Three-quarters of public schools in the metro Atlanta area contain microbes, including bacteria indicating the presence of fecal matter, according to research published in the May 17 issue of ...