A 2014 CDC report claims that in the period between 2009–2012, 7.6% of Americans aged 12 and over had moderate or severe depressive symptoms. The most prone age group that showed signs of depressive disorder were females and persons aged 40–59.
The report also reveals that 3% of Americans over 12 years old have had severe depressive symptoms and that people living below the poverty level were almost three times more likely to develop depression than those above the poverty line.
Among the people who exhibited severe depressive symptoms, 43% reported serious difficulties in work, personal and social situations. Only 35% actively sought mental health counseling by a professional (which can cost $75-$150 per visit, on average).
Depression rates are higher among females than males in every age group. Another interesting fact that the study reveals is that rates of depression increase with age, before it begins to decline in adults aged 60+.
Specifically, depression rates by age group were: 5.7% among youth aged 12–17 to 9.8% among adults aged 40–59, with adults aged 60 showing a lower rate of depression (5.4%) than those aged 18–39 and 40–59. The highest rate of depression, 12.3%, was found in women aged 40–59, while the lowest rates of depression were for males aged 12–17 (4.0%) and 60 and over (3.4%).