Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Kevin Webster
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread and debilitating mental health condition with significant prevalence and profound societal impact. On a global scale, the World Health Organization estimates that 322 million people have been diagnosed with MDD (WHO, 2017). Moreover, the prevalence of MDD has been steadily increasing in the United States over the past two decades. From 2005 to 2015, the overall prevalence rate rose from 6.6% to 7.3%, with the most significant increases observed among adolescents and young adults (Twenge et al., 2019). This shift towards younger onset of MDD is concerning, as it may lead to increased lifetime costs of illness. In 2018, a national survey of 36,309 US adults revealed a 12-month prevalence of 10.4% and a lifetime prevalence of 20.6% for MDD, demonstrating an even greater increase (Hasin et al., 2018). The COVID-19 pandemic has further magnified this trend. Similarly, major global pandemics, like COVID-19, cause an increase in both risk factors for MDD, but also increased presentation of symptoms even in non-affected individuals. Factors such as social isolation, loneliness, and disruptions in mental health services have likely contributed to the rise in depression rates. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the age-standardized prevalence of depression among US adults reached 27% in 2020 (CDC, 2020; 2021). The condition’s impact is expected to grow, with projections indicating that MDD will become the leading cause of disability in Western countries by 2030 (Mathers & Loncar, 2006).
Recommended Citation
Tomé, Isabella Flôr, "Psilocybin and the Child Mind: Clinical Implications for Self-Repair and Psychological Resilience" (2025). Honors Theses. 1875.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1875
