One of the most common psychological problems, depression, affects almost everyone in one way or another. Almost everyone either has a family member, friend, or maybe even they suffer from depression themselves. There are around 17 million adults in the United States that suffer from some period of clinical depression. While these people are living with depression, they also are directly affecting all of the people they are close to. Indirectly their co-workers can become affected as well, by causing negative feelings in the workplace or lowered worker productivity. Often, co-workers can pick up on something that is wrong with their work mates, and this can affect their mental state at work as well.

Depression can go undetected in a person for a long time, but there are usually signs that point to this being what is happening to the person. People who are depressed start to withdraw from family and friends. They are not available as much or maybe they don't want to talk when you call. Depressed people also tend to drop out of normal social activities, such as going to the gym or maybe an activity they used to enjoy. It is not always the easiest thing to pinpoint that a person suffers from depression, this being because depression has similar symptoms to other things such as changes to sleeping patterns, appetite changes, and other physical signs of illness.

Anyone can become depressed. Depression is not a selective condition, meaning that any race, gender, or person can be affected. Depression affects how a person thinks, feels, and sometimes, even how they act. We have all been, at one time or another "down in the dumps" to the point we just want to give up. Just think if you felt like this all the time? Well, that's how it is for someone living with depression. For most of us, at the most, it takes a few days to get back to our old selves and then we move on to what caused us to feel this way to begin with.

There is treatment for depression. If you suspect that a loved one may be going through this, it is best to try to get them to a doctor as soon as possible so the person can get help right away. Some people who have not received help in time have taken their own lives. Depression can be treated in a variety of ways, including by medication that your doctor can prescribe. Your doctor can help get you on a path to recovery.

Depression is a serious problem for people in the United States. This condition causes worker productivity to slide. It's estimated that depression costs the nation an estimated $44 billion every year. If it causes this much monetary damage, think what damage it causes for the person who has it or the loved one of the person? It's easy to see why it is so important that depression be treated and caught early. Sadly, though, there are many people out there that will never seek treatment for depression.

Why suffer if you don't have to? Depression can be helped and lives can be improved.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Depression