ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Depression is a common human affliction. For major depression (severe, debilitating depression) and dysthymia (chronic, mild-moderate depression) the combined male-female life-prevalence estimate in the United States is 24.5%, with a 29.3%-17.5% female-male differential. The 12-month prevalence estimate is 13.8%, with a 15.9%—9.8% female-male differential (Kessler et al., 1994). Major depression and dysthymia are the two most frequently diagnosed mood disorders in which depression is a primary feature. Disorders in which mania is either a primary or secondary feature are also classified as mood disorders. Mania will only be discussed briefly. Our focus is on depression.
