Do you ever feel sad or irritable, lose interest in usual activities, not been able to experience pleasure, feel guilty or worthless, and have thoughts of death or suicide? Or have you had difficulty concentrating or making decisions? How about fatigue, feeling restless, slowed down, insomnia, change in appetite or activity?

If the above symptoms and behavior sound depressing, you are correct—they are all signs of depression. If more than a few of the above symptoms lasting more than two weeks are present, you are joining more than 8.4% of all Americans over age 12 who have experienced depression.

Over 80% of people with depression report some level of functional impairment because of their depression. Additionally, 27% report serious difficulties in work and home life according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication. These difficulties include getting along with colleagues and family members.

Mental illness still carries a certain stigma even though depression and anxiety are the fastest growing illnesses in older adults in the country. Among all people with depression only 66% reported contact with a mental health professional. Those with severe depression are receiving treatment only 71% of the time which is tragic because so much can be done with modern therapy.

Why are so few people in need getting the care they need. I believe there are two reasons: (1) People who are depressed don’t realize they are and don’t have the energy or ability to get help and (2) Friends and family members mistake depression for just a minor deviation and ignore the aberrancies as just character flaws which will pass.

Depression and mental illness in general, seems to be more common in America today than ever. America has evolved over hundreds of years from an agrarian society to the industrial age and next into the information age. As of 2001, we are in the genetic age. Through each of the first three epochs, population density increased linearly, while the speed and volume of communication has increased exponentially. Simultaneously, our longer lifespan has given the day-to-day stresses a longer period to wear down our mental defenses. As all these trends combine with the current economic hardships, we have a higher incidence of mental illness with worsening severity.

The first step in solving or controlling any problem whether medical or other is to recognize there is a problem. Hiding, denying, or hoping the symptoms will disappear is just wishful thinking which will of course not change anything other than to delay diagnosis, subsequent treatment and, in turn, worsen the prognosis.

There are simple short lists of questions which can be used for screening for depression (http://www.depression-screening.org/). Be smart and proactive by encouraging yourself or others around you to be screened if you have any doubts or questions.

There are many medical advances including therapies ranging from individual therapy to group therapy, medications, support groups, and behavioral changes which are effective. Please help yourself and those around you to recognize and treat this common but controllable illness. Let’s put the social stigma of mental illness behind us.