Abstract

Epidemiological studies on depression have a rather recent origin; therefore it is rather difficult to refer to ongoing studies over time. Although therefore this area needs to be studied more, it is already possible to trace a draft of the population at risk, as well as to identify the main causal factors. The most important are social and experiential factors but above all one's lifestyle, and therefore, consequently, also the economic conditions. It is also possible to trace some commonalities with suicide and the factors that cause suicide, since very often the victims of suicide suffered from depression during their lifetime.