Effective treatment is available.
However, physicians should be sensitive to the possibility of depression in their patients, particularly those at higher risk. Burden of Suffering Depression is frequently encountered in family practice and in ambulatory care settings. People who are single, divorced, separated, seriously ill, recently bereaved or those with a family history of depression have a greater incidence than others. Depressed individuals frequently present with physical symptoms, which may make diagnosis more difficult, particularly in the early stages and in mild cases. Important episodes of depression have been overlooked, so that instead of recognizing and treating the problem diagnostic testing or treatment for other illnesses is performed.