In today's society depression is referred to as the "common cold of the mental health problems." More than 5 percent of Americans have depression, that equates to an astonishing 15 million people. It is said that 1 out of every 6 people has had a "major" depressive episode in their life. It is estimated that it costs the nation a sum of 43 billion dollars a year in medication, lost school days, lost workdays, and professional care for depression. Tens of thousands of people out of the 15 million attempts to commit suicide because of depression and about 16,000 of those people succeed.

Depression loosely defined is a disorder marked by a state of deep and pervasive sadness, dejection and hopelessness, accompanie

There are many symptoms that are included in the diagnosis of depression. There are major indicators that people should be aware of to let people know that they might have the possibility of having depression. Some of those symptoms are as follows: (1) The depressed mood - more than 90 percent of depressed people appear to be depressed. They look sad, their mouths are often turned down at the corners, their eyes may appear red and swollen from crying and they may lack a sense of humor. They will frequently show little interest or enjoyment for activities that normally enjoyable and may sometimes express fears of total loss of feeling (Strange, 1992, p. 259). (2) Anhedonia - this is the lack of pleasure. Nothing the depressed person does can make them happy, for example, eating, going out, seeing friends and engaging in sports. They derive little pleasure from anything, and have no desire to participate in anything that was once pleasurable to them. (3) Pessimistic thoughts - the person experiences pessimistic thoughts about the present, future, and past. They include the feeling of worthlessness, failure, and lack of self-confidence. The may feel very hopeless which can often lead to suicide. (4) Anxiety - Patients may experience the psychological manifestations of anxiety. From 60 to 70 percent of depressed patients report feelings of anxiety and sometimes extreme worrying. For example, a nonpsychiatric physician who hears a patient complains of anxiety often prescribes a tranquilizer such as Valium, which maybe ineffective and coutnerindicated for depression (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 20). (5) Sleep disorders - Seventy to 80 percent of all persons with depression have some form of insomnia. The most frequent type is one in which the individual, who is usually exhausted and has no trouble falling asleep, wakes up after several hours and is unable to get back to sleep. (6) Appetite changes - "The thought of food makes me ill," is what the average depressive person says. The depressed person eats very little, and may refuse food or just nibble, even when favorite dishes are presented to them. Shopping for food, preparing it and even eating is expending energy that they do not have. (7) Changes in motor activity - depressed persons often speak very slowly. They can be difficult to interview because it may take them longer to answer a question, and if they do respond it may only be in a monosyllable. Alternatively some patients exhibit agitation with restlessness and an inability to relax (Strange, 1992, p. 260). (8) Thoughts of death and suicide - many depressed persons think about death. They think of ending their lives as a way to escape the way the feel inside. They will make statements such as, "I'd like to get away from it all" and "I have nothing to live for." Only a percent of depressed persons attempt suicide, but the risk of suicide in all depressives cannot be overstressed. Many, if not most, of those who attempt suicide speak their intentions before they do it (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 21).

2. Clarkin, J. F. Ph.D., Hurt, S. W. Ph.D., Reznikoff, M. (1991). Psychological

Depression is something that can be overcome with the help and support from family and. Some the likelihood of depression has

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