Also at risk are those of high school and college age whose symptoms often are not recognized by parents and teachers because they may resemble normal teenage problems. When untreated, however, some young people with severe clinical depression may commit suicide, now the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 24. A third group of at-risk people is the elderly whose sad moods, fatigue, and withdrawal from life are often mistaken as a normal part of the aging process. These clinically depressed elderly are at much higher risk for suicide than younger depressed people. If not treated, the episode can last nine months to a years and will probably happen again during a person's lifetime.
Clinical depression interferes with and disrupts a person's job and family life.
No amount of cheering up or toughing it out can make it go away. Neither can exercise, vitamins, or vacation. People with clinical depression need to get proper treatment. Depression Screening Click on the above heading to take the Depression Screening Test. A variety of free, informative resources including brochures, pamphlets, fact sheets and signs and symptoms cards are available to professionals, families and youth.