(MDD) is a common and recurrent disorder.
Often depression strikes during the prime
of life and is estimated to impact 12% of
all men, and 20% of women at some point
during their lives. Depression can be effectively
treated in the majority of people but causes
personal anguish in individuals and families
when left untreated.
The
World
Health Organization currently ranks depression as one
of the most disabling disease in the world. The devastating
consequences of under treated depression include: difficulty
in the workplace, absenteeism, problems with relationships,
marital and family discord. The untold human suffering resulting
from symptoms of depression and morbidity and mortality associated
with other diseases make it costly in both human and economic
terms.In the State of Michigan, it is estimated that 1.5 million
citizens are at risk and 500,000 in episode at any given time,
with 2.4 billion dollars in annual mental health costs (1996)
Unfortunately, many people remain undiagnosed. A recent report
of the Surgeon
General suggests that the lack of access to appropriate
mental health services is one of the most compelling public
health problems faced by the country today. Stigma, lack of
appropriate resources, reimbursement and under detection all
play a role.
What
To Look For - if you may be experiencing
major depression
If
you have 5 or more of the following symptoms during a 2 week
period and one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood
or (2) loss of interest or pleasure:
1. depressed mood most of the day, nearly
every day, as indicated by either subjective
report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation
made by others (e.g. appears tearful).
** In children and adolescents, can be
irritable mood as well.
2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure
in all, or almost all, activities most
of the day, nearly every day (as indicated
by either subjective account or observation
made by others).
3. significant weight loss when not dieting
or weight gain (e.g., a change of more
than 5% of body weight in a month), or
decrease or increase in appetite nearly
every day. Note: In children, consider
failure to make expected weight gains.
4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every
day.
5. psychomotor agitation or retardation
nearly every day (observable by others,
not merely subjective feelings of restlessness
or being slowed down).
6. fatigue or loss of energy nearly every
day.
7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive
or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional)
nearly every day (not merely self-reproach
or guilt about being sick).
8. diminished ability to think or concentrate,
or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either
by subjective account or as observed by
others).
9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just
fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation
without a specific plan, or a suicide
attempt or a specific plan for committing
suicide.
These symptoms cause:
significant distress or impairment
in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning,
are not due to the direct physiological
effects of a substance (e.g., a drug
of abuse, a medication) or a general
medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism),
and are not better accounted for by
bereavement, i.e., after the loss of
a loved one, the symptoms persist for
longer than 2 months or are characterized
by marked functional impairment, morbid
preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal
ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor
retardation.
If you feel that you are suffering from depression, please
contact your healthcare professional for diagnosis and care.
You may also take our secure, online screening
test for depression.
The
If
you have 5 or more of the following symptoms during a 2 week
period and one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood
or (2) loss of interest or pleasure: