Demographics
Estimates of the numbers of people suffering from major depressive episodes and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) vary significantly. Between 10% and 25% of women, and between 5% and 12% of men will suffer a major depressive episode.
Fewer people, between 5% and 9% of women and between 2% and 3% of men, will have MDD, or full-blown depression. Depression occurs nearly twice as often in adolescent and adult females as in males, and the peak period of development is between the ages of 25 and 44 years.
Onset of major depressive episodes or MDD often occurs to people in their mid-20s, and less often to those over 65. Prepubescent girls and boys are affected equally. Additionally, socio-economic or environmental factors do not appear to have any bearing on the incidence of a major depressive episode or MDD.
Read more about this topic: Major Depressive Episode