They lose interest and pleasure in normal activities, including eating and sex, and have to push themselves to go to work or interact with friends. They often feel anxious or agitated. Insomnia frequently occurs, although some de pressed people sleep too much. Not surprisingly, they often have thoughts of death or suicide. Early recognition and treatment of depression may be one of the best ways to reduce the number of suicides.
Depression is also a national problem.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 17 million Americans suffer from depression each year. Employers feel the cost of depression among workers in absenteeism, lower productivity, increased accidents, and the inappropriate use of medical services. The direct workplace cost of depression has been estimated at more than 172 million days annually. Only one in three depressed people seeks treatment. Part of the illness is the inability to organize oneself enough to undertake the necessary inquiries, make appointments, etc.