Antidepressant Use Among Adults: United States, 2015-2018

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Major depressive episodes affect a significant portion of the adult population, impacting quality of life and increasing disability.
• Antidepressants are a cornerstone of depression treatment and widely prescribed in the United States.
• Understanding patterns of antidepressant use is crucial for public health initiatives and healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present current prevalence estimates of antidepressant use among U.S. adults (aged 18+).
• To examine antidepressant use across various demographic factors including age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and education level.
• To describe trends in antidepressant utilization over a ten-year period (2009-2010 to 2017-2018).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national survey data on antidepressant use in U.S. adults.
• Stratification of prevalence estimates by key demographic variables.
• Examination of temporal trends in antidepressant use over a decade.

Main Results:

• In 2018, an estimated 7.2% of American adults reported a past-year major depressive episode.
• Data brief details prevalence of antidepressant use by age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and education.
• Trends in antidepressant use from 2009-2010 through 2017-2018 are presented.

Conclusions:

• Antidepressant use is a significant public health indicator in the United States.
• Demographic variations in use highlight potential disparities or differing needs.
• Longitudinal data provides insights into evolving treatment patterns for depression.