Depression can affect anyone. Once identified, most people diagnosed with depression are successfully treated. Unfortunately, depression is not always diagnosed, because many of the symptoms mimic physical illness, such as sleep and appetite disturbances. Recognizing depression is the first step in treating it. Depressed people are seen as weak or lazy.
Social stigma causes people to avoid needed treatment.
The symptoms are so disabling that the people affected cannot reach out for help. Many symptoms are misdiagnosed as physical problems Individual symptoms are treated, rather than the underlying cause. Clinical depression is a very common psychological problem, and most people never seek proper treatment, or seek treatment but they are misdiagnosed with physical illness. Information Online Thanks and acknowledgement to The National Institute of Mental Health which was a resource for information on this topic . Psychology Information Online , developed by Donald J. Franklin, Ph.D. , provides information about the practice of psychology, features Continuing Education Programs and a Psychology Bookstore , and hosts the National Directory of Psychologists .