Depression is more than just feeling "down", and it is not a sign of personal weakness. It is a common, serious and complex illness that affects an estimated 121 million people worldwide.
Although people with depression have mood disorders, such as loss of interest or pleasure, they often describe their symptoms in physical terms. Left untreated, it can cause problems with relationships, including marital and family problems, difficulty in the workplace and a significantly increased risk of suicide.
Findings from an international survey conducted in early 2005 on behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) revealed substantial gaps in patients' and physicians' knowledge about depression, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. For example, individuals suffering from depression, on average, waited more than 11 months to see a doctor and were only diagnosed with depression after five visits to the doctor, further delaying treatment and recovery.
Although people with depression have mood disorders, such as loss of interest or pleasure, they often describe their symptoms in physical terms. Left untreated, it can cause problems with relationships, including marital and family problems, difficulty in the workplace and a significantly increased risk of suicide.
Findings from an international survey conducted in early 2005 on behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) revealed substantial gaps in patients' and physicians' knowledge about depression, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. For example, individuals suffering from depression, on average, waited more than 11 months to see a doctor and were only diagnosed with depression after five visits to the doctor, further delaying treatment and recovery.
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