But help doesn't necessarily mean going to a psychiatrist. Dr. Mandos says that many family practitioners treat patients with depression. Individuals with depression can also receive private screenings or become involved in programs from respected centers all over the country. If not addressed or properly treated, depression can be deadly. Approximately 15 percent of patients with severe depression commit suicide each year, making this illness the seventh most lethal disorder in America.
People fail to recognize that it is a biological problem, just like having an ulcer.
It's a disease, and it doesn't mean it's a character flaw or a result of having a bad childhood. There are medications that can help.