Having an optimistic attitude is one of the best treatment you can have. For mild depression, there are a number of complementary therapies and herbs that are useful. Lifestyle interventions such as stress management techniques, diet and nutrition changes, exercise, etc. can make a marked difference in your outlook. Major depression often goes undiagnosed because it is confused with the normal feelings that may arise because of a specific life situation. Also of concern is minor but chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, which can last two years or more.
Untreated depression is costly.
A RAND Corporation study found that patients with depressive symptoms spend more days in bed than those with diabetes, arthritis, back problems, lung problems, or gastrointestinal disorders. The World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Survey estimates that by the year 2020, major depression will be second only to ischemic heart disease in the amount of disability experienced by sufferers. Several studies have consistently demonstrated that individuals with depression and anxiety disorders experience impaired physical and role functioning, more days in bed due to illness, more work days lost, increased impairment at work, and high use of health services. The disability caused by depression and anxiety is just as great as that caused by other common medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Comorbidity of depression with anxiety or medical illness further increases the disability experienced by sufferers.