Having
some depressive symptoms does not mean a person is
clinically depressed. For
example, it is not unusual for those
who have lost a loved one
to feel sad, helpless, and
disinterested in usual activities.
Only when these symptoms
persist for an unusually
long time is there reason to suspect
that grief has become a depressive
illness. Similarly, living
with the stress of potential
layoffs, heavy workloads, or
financial or family problems
may cause irritability and anger.
Up to a point, such feelings
are simply a part of human experience.
But when the symptoms increase
in number, duration and
intensity, to the point where
an individual begins to be unable
to function as usual, a temporary
mood has very likely
become a clinical state.
Clinical
depression affects mood, mind, body, and behavior.
Research has shown that in
the United States more than 17 million
people -- one in ten adults
-- experience depression each year,
and nearly two thirds do
not get the help they need. Treatment
can alleviate the symptoms
in over 80% of cases. Yet, because it
often goes unrecognized,
depression continues to cause
unnecessary suffering.
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