Major Depressive Disorder Linked to Other Disorders

The National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions indicated that there’s a strong relationship between major depressive disorder to alcohol use disorder, drug disorders, and other mental health conditions.
Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health reported that middle age, female gender, Native American, low income, separated, divorced, of widowed had the increased likelihood of current or lifetime major depressive disorder. Also found were elevated rates of major depression in baby boomers and in Native Americans. Asian, Hispanic, and black race-ethnicity reduced that risk.
Interviews of more than 43,000 non-institutionalized individuals 18 and older found that 5 percent experienced MDD during the 12 months preceding the survey and 13 percent experienced it at some time in their lives. It is noteworthy to point out that the highest lifetime risk is among middle-aged adults, previously held by the younger adult population during 1980 and 1990.
The onset of MDD begins between 12-16, with the mean age of onset at about 30. Women are twice as likely as men to get MDD and are more likely to receive treatment. Of all who experience MDD, nearly half wanted to die, one third considered suicide, and 9 percent attempted suicide. Among those with MDD, 14 percent abuse alcohol, 5 percent abuse drugs, 26 percent smoke, more than 37 percent have a personality disorder and more then 36 percent have at least one anxiety disorder.
These study results show that strong relationship of MDD to substance dependence and a weak relationship to substance abuse. This indicates the importance of focusing on dependence when studying the relationship of depression to substance use disorders.