Early in the pandemic depression tripled, from 8.5% just before to 27.8%, then skyrocketed to 32.8% in 2021. For Perspective…
Depression Rates Soar
In the U.S. in 2017, an estimated 17.3 million American adults, or 7.1% of the adult population, experienced at least one major depressive episode. The highest rates were reported among those aged between 18 and 25.
In the period of March 30, 2022, to April 11, 2022, 22% of U.S. adults reported symptoms of depression, although it was even higher in 2021: Early in the pandemic depression tripled, from 8.5% just before to 27.8%, then skyrocketed to 32.8% in 2021.
Are Anti-Depressants Working?
Research suggests major depression may be vastly over-diagnosed and over-treated with antidepressants, and that a majority of those who take these drugs stay on them long-term, which may compromise their health.
Antidepressants double the risk of harm from suicide and violence in healthy adults, increase aggression two- to threefold in children and adolescents, increase risk of suicide and violence by four to five times in middle-aged women with stress urinary incontinence, and double women’s risk of a core psychotic or potential psychotic event.
Most Effective Ways to Feel Better
There’s a solid and ever-growing body of scientific evidence showing physical exercise is a major key in the successful treatment of depression. Several studies investigating this oft-ignored prescription are reviewed.
A review that examined randomized controlled trials published between 1999 and 2016, and meta-analyses/ systematic reviews published between 2009 and 2016, concluded that “exercise is an evidenced-based medicine for depression”
Exerpted from “Millions Led Astray by These Pills, No Better Than a Placebo“, Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola, first published May 6, 2022. You can read the full article by clicking HERE.
IMHU offers an excellent course on the effective “Integrative” methods of Overcoming Depression-click HERE to find out more.