It is a long-lasting, often recurring illness as real and disabling as heart disease or arthritis. Adults who experience clinical depression may feel an oppressive sense of sadness, fatigue and guilt. Performing on the job may be difficult. Going out with friends may be unthinkable. Merely getting out of bed may be impossible.
Depression is a very common emotional illness.
In varying degrees of severity, it affects about 6 percent of all U.S. adults , more than nine million people in any given six month period, according to the American Psychiatric Association. At least one in five Americans will experience a major depressive episode during their lifetime, with women twice as likely to develop depression as men. Modern research has led to significant advances. Today, there are extremely effective treatments for depression. Between 80 to 90 percent of those with depression can be successfully treated.