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