Depression - An Overview Serious depression is an important public health problem. More than 19 million adults in the United States will suffer from a depressive illness this year, and many will be unnecessarily incapacitated for weeks or months, because their illness remains untreated. The cost to the Nation in 1990 was estimated to be between $30 - $44 billion. The suffering of depressed people and their families is immeasurable. Depressive disorders are not the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences. They are illnesses that affect mood, body, behavior, and mind. Depressive disorders interfere with individual and family functioning. The person with a depressive disorder is often unable to fulfill the responsibilities of spouse or parent, and may be unable to carry out usual job responsibilities. Available medications and psychological treatments, alone or in combination, can help 80 percent of those with depression. With adequate treatment, future episodes may be prevented or reduced in severity. Yet, current evidence indicates that nearly two out of three depressed people do not seek treatment and suffer needlessly. Research has also shown that depression often co-occurs with medical conditions (e.g., stroke, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.); other psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, eating disorders, etc.); and alcohol and other substance abuse. In such cases, there can be added health benefits from treating the depression. NIMH's goal is to alleviate suffering due to depressive illnesses by: Increasing the public recognition of the symptoms of depression and knowledge of where to get professional diagnosis and treatment. Fostering help-seeking behaviors and more appropriate use of health and mental health care systems. Providing health and mental health specialists with up-to-date knowledge about effective treatments for depressive illnesses. POINTS TO CONSIDER Clinical depression is a common illness that usually goes unrecognized. When identified, it can be treated. There are effective medications and psychological treatments which often are used in combination. In serious depression, medication is usually required. The majority of clinical depressions, including the most severe, improve with treatment, usually within weeks. Continued treatment will prevent recurrence. Depression is often unrecognized when it co-occurs with other medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse disorders. NIMH Publication                    RECOMMENDED READING FROM THE PSYSTORE: Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness by William Styron Our Price: $8.00 "In 1985 William Styron fell victim to a crippling and almost suicidal depression. That Styron survived his descent into madness is something of a miracle. That he manages to convey its tortuous progression and his eventual recovery with such candor and precision makes this a rare feat of literature, a book that will arouse a shock of recognition even in those readers who have been spared the suffering it describes." -- Amazon.com Editorial Review For a selection of books on this topic, visit the Psystore. ** All prices subject to change without notice