Private Duty caregivers are among a group of workers who are most likely to suffer depression. A study by the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that 10.8%% of full time workers who care for children or the elderly battled depression in the past year.

Female caregivers are more likely than men to have a major bout of depression, and younger caregivers had higher rates of depression than their older colleagues. Almost 11% of personal care workers reported depression lasting two weeks or longer. During such episodes there is a loss of interest, problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, and low self-image.

The government agency tracked depression in 21 major occupational categories from 2004 to 2006 in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.