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, accompan

Therapy is used as an alternative to medication. There are two main types of therapy for depression. The first is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is the most popular and commonly used therapy for the effective treatment of depression. Hundreds of research studies have been conducted to date which verify its safety and effectiveness in use to help treat people who suffer from this disorder. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, emphasis is placed on discussing these thoughts and the behaviors associated with depression. While emotions are certainly a focus of some of the time throughout therapy, it is thought within this theoretical framework that thoughts and behaviors are more likely to change emotions than trying to attempt a post-mortem analysis of why a person is feeling the way they are (Strange, 1992, p. 261). Because of this approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy is short-term (usually conducted under two dozen sessions) and works best for people experiencing a fair amount of distress relating to their depression. Individuals who can approach a problem from a unique perspective and those who are more cognitively oriented are also likely to do better with this approach. The second is interpersonal therapy, which is another short-term therapy utilized in the treatment of depression. The focus of this treatment approach is usually on an individual's social relationships, and specifically on how to improve them. It is thought that good, stable social support is imperative to a person's overall well being and health within this framework. When relationships falter, a person directly suffers from the negativity and unhealthiness of that relationship. Therapy seeks to improve a person's relationship skills, working on communication more effectively, expressing emotions appropriately, being properly assertive in social and occupational situations, etc (Hurt et. al, 1991, p. 209). It is usually conducted, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, on an individual basis but can also be used within a group therapy framework.

1. Bourne, L. E. Jr., & Russo, N. F. (1998). Psychology Behavior in Context. New York:

Hospitalization of an individual is necessary when that person has attempted suicide or has serious suicidal ideation or plan for doing so. Such suicidal intentions must be carefully and fully assessed during an initial meeting with the client. The individual must be imminent danger of harming themselves (or another). Daily, routine daily functioning will likely be negatively affected by the presence of a clear and severe major depression (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 211). Most individuals who suffer from major depression, however, are usually only mildly suicidal and most also often lack the energy or will (at least initially) to carry out any suicidal plan. Hospitalization is usually relatively short, until the patient becomes fully stabilized and the therapeutic effects of an appropriate antidepressant medication can be realized (3 to 4 weeks). A partial hospitalization program should also be considered (Hurt et. al, 1991, p. 209).

4. Strange, P. G. (1992). Brain Biochemistry and Brain Disorders. New York: Oxford

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