Why As Many as 50% of Those With Depression Don't Get Help

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Depression, an increasingly ubiquitous mental health concern, remains untreated in many due to prevailing social stigmas, outdated dismissals of therapeutic practices, and barriers rooted in society and financial constraints.

This invisible battle unfolds across all age groups in America, leaving a distressing number of individuals without the essential support they need to combat depression.

Prevalence and Impact Across Age Groups

According to Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D., a distinguished researcher at the Welley Centers for Women, roughly half of those needing treatment for depression actually receive it.

Troublingly, instances of teenage depression have been growing since 2005, exacerbated by the pandemic. Correspondingly, more than 25% of American adults now experience moderate to severe depression symptoms, indicating a potentially grim future trend.

Depression that strikes early can extend into adulthood, while even mild, untreated depression later in life has the potential to progress into a chronic condition.

Barriers to Seeking Help

However, we're not helpless in the face of this challenge. Effective strategies and treatment options, ranging from self-help techniques to guided psychotherapy and selective use of antidepressants, are available to us.

The paradox of depression is that it often prevents those suffering from seeking help. Feelings of shame, guilt, and the fear of social stigmatization can act as formidable obstacles.

As Peter Bolo, MD, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at the Atlantic Health System noted, these could be based on unfounded biases like being perceived as unstable, inept, or lazy.

Yet, considering that more than a quarter of American adults display depression symptoms, it's an untenable argument to label them as unstable or lazy. Instead, it's a testament to the sheer prevalence of depression.

Still, Gladstone stressed that the stigma associated with acknowledging depression and seeking mental health support persists.

Additional impediments exist within the individuals themselves. Some may not acknowledge their depression, believing it will dissipate if ignored. In other instances, depression's symptoms—such as lethargy, hopelessness, helplessness, or even self-destructiveness—might inhibit the act of seeking help.

Efficacy and Accessibility of Treatments

Then there's the skepticism about treatment methods. Some people harbor distrust towards psychotherapy or even fear sharing their deepest thoughts with a stranger. There's also hesitation concerning medication.

Yet, countless studies over many years demonstrate that depression is highly treatable. Either therapy or medication often proves beneficial, and their combination frequently shows the best results.

Notwithstanding, social and financial hurdles make treatment access challenging for many. Depression often leads to social isolation, exacerbating the condition.

Furthermore, mental health services may not be readily available or affordable in certain communities. Many insurance policies also neglect to cover mental health treatments.

According to a 2019 study, ethnic minorities in the United States are less likely to have acute major depressive disorder episodes than whites, but are more likely to experience chronic, debilitating depression. These cases often go undiagnosed due to potential differences in symptom presentations.

A Glimmer of Hope

But amid these challenges, there's a silver lining. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored that anyone can be affected by depression, and seeking help should not be stigmatized. In fact, a recent survey by the American Psychological Association indicated that demand for depression treatment has surged.

Moreover, cost-effective solutions like telehealth services have gained tremendous traction during the pandemic. Scientists are seeing a gradual reduction in the stigma surrounding depression treatment, a positive change perhaps catalyzed by the pandemic itself.

In the end, despite the multifaceted challenges, it's vital to remember that treatment is within reach, and help-seeking should never be a source of shame.