And that's an important distinction to make. They are people with a disease, rather than a person we define, stigmatize, and marginalize by their illness. Hidden epidemic Equally important is defining the vast number of people who experience the stigma of mental illness. In fact, one survey found that a worker was more likely to tell their boss they were involved in a petty crime than to explain they had a mental illness. Delays in seeking treatment can allow mental illness to worsen.
Major depression is by far the leading mental illness and the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Of course, occasional feelings of sadness and transitory moods are normal. Major depression often begins between ages 15 to 30 but also can appear in children. Episodes usually recur. A depressed mood persists for at least 2 years in adults or a year in children, accompanied by at least two other symptoms of depression. Many people with dysthymia develop major depressive episodes.