Mood Disorders
According to the 2013 Harris Poll Happiness Index, only one in three Americans considers themselves to be happy. Americans have higher rates of mental illness than any other country, with 55% of Americans experiencing some type of mental disorder in their lifetimes. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. affecting over 40 million adults. Mood disorders, including depression, affect an additional 20.9 million Americans (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). The use of antidepressant medication has risen 400% in the past two decades, with 11% of the population over 12 years of age currently taking the drugs (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).