The cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them.
Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person.
Possibly the saddest fact about depression is that much of this suffering is unnecessary. Thanks to years of fruitful research, the medications and psychosocial therapies that ease the pain of depression are at hand. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that they have a treatable illness. Read this flyer to see if you are one of the many undiagnosed depressed people in this country or if you know someone who is. The information briefly presented here may help you take the steps that may save your own or someone else's life.