More youth in Denmark diagnosed with depression

Numbers have tripled since the turn of the century

From 2000 to 2013, the number of Danes aged 15-19 who have been diagnosed with depression has tripled, according to a new research project conducted by the city hospital Rigshospitalet.

Despite the figures being four years old, it’s safe to assume the high number remains today as sales of anti-depressant medication in 2016 matched those of 2013.

“It’s worrying and a problem that so many young people are experiencing symptoms that are associated with depression,” Lars Vedel Kessing, a professor of psychiatry who is one of the co-authors of the research project, told DR Nyheder.

READ MORE: Young people feel increasingly under pressure

Stressed and taboo
Researchers aren’t quite sure why more young people are getting depressed, but Kessing indicated there could be numerous reasons why.

Firstly, he contended, it could be because it has become less of a taboo to seek help, while another reason could be that young people today are feeling more vulnerable than before as they face more demands and stress.

The findings also revealed that girls aged 15-19 were 2.4 times more likely to be on anti-depressant medicine as boys of the same age.

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