Depression affects more than 10% of French

A large survey of some 36,000 French shows that 11% of the population suffered from a depressive episode and 12.8% suffered symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, according to results presented at the second meeting of Lille Centre collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO CC) in Lille

In collaboration with the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees) from 1999 to 2003, Mental Health study in the general population (SMPG) aims firstly, to assess the prevalence of major mood disorders among adults in metropolitan population and, secondly, to describe the representations of madness, mental health and depression.

It appears that 11% of respondents were identified as having experienced a depressive episode in the past two weeks preceding the survey (depending on the tool Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Cim 10 WHO classification).

Of these 11%, about half (5.6%) is a recurrent depressive disorder.

The prevalence (total number of cases per year) is the highest observed in younger, between 18 and 24 years, with a rate of 13.6%. She then varies between 10.1% and 11.9% up to 64 years to decrease to 8.9% in 65-74 years and up to 11% over 75 years.

Women seem to be more commonly affected, with a 1.4-fold increased risk compared with men. The gender difference is more pronounced in certain age, especially after age 75.

Although data SMPG study on social factors and life events are limited, the authors found that depressive episodes in the two weeks preceding the survey were associated with separation and divorce, with a 2.2-fold increased risk compared with a married person and 1.5 in relation to a single.

Unemployment is the characteristic most correlated with a depressive episode, with a doubled risk compared to a person in business.

In contrast, a high level of education protects against the risk of depressive episode: a person with tertiary education has two times less likely that a person with a primary school level.

Furthermore, the investigation of mood disorders indicates that 2.4% of the population suffer from dysthymia and 1.6% this manic episodes. These are more common in men (2% against 1.2% in women).

SMPG The study also identified the suicide risk in the population. It appears that 1.9% of those over 18 years in France has a high risk of suicide attempts (people who attempted during the month preceding the survey or people who have had suicidal thoughts and having thought about this solution ultimate in the past month).

The analysis shows a strong correlation between a high risk of suicide and depression. In addition, it is frequently spotted in separated, unemployed or inactive (students, housewives ...).

The prevalence of high risk of suicide is increased to 10% among those who experienced a depressive episode during the two weeks preceding the survey and 12% in those with recurrent depressive episodes.

The authors point out that suicide attempts are more common in women, while suicides are more often male.

The results of the survey SMPG and practical consequences to be drawn were discussed in Lille between the different partners of the management of mental disorders: patients and their families, health professionals, local elected officials and the media.