Reducing the burden of depression.
OBJECTIVE
To consider why the burden of depression persists.


METHODS
The epidemiology and disability associated with depression were reviewed to consider whether depression persists because: the causes are overwhelming, prevention is ineffective, the disease is difficult to detect or diagnose, the condition remits and recurs, treatments do not work, individuals do not seek treatment, or effective care is not provided when they do seek it.


RESULTS
The first 5 possibilities were not considered significant reasons for the persistence of the burden.


CONCLUSIONS
The burden persists because individuals do not seek treatment for their depression when they relapse and effective proactive treatment is not always provided when they do seek it.
Andrews
Gavin
G
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. gavina@unsw.edu.au
D017281:Cost of Illness; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires