ABSTRACT

Depressive disorders are prevalent, cause marked personal suffering, and are associated with increased mortality. In primary care settings, the prevalence of major depression ranges from 4.8% to 8.6%, and dysthymia ranges from 2.1% to 3.7% (1). Less severe depressive disorders, such as minor depression and adjustment disorders, are even more common. Depressive episodes are about twice as common in women as in men, peak in middle age, and are strongly associated with adverse social and economic circumstances such as unemployment, divorce or separation, inadequate housing, and lower socioeconomic status. Ethnic minority status can affect depression rates. The most recent U.S. epidemiologic study reported that non-Hispanic Blacks had lower odds of lifetime depression than non-Hispanic Whites, whereas Hispanics did not differ from Whites in lifetime or 12-month depression (2). Depression increases when a family history of depression is present (3).