Moving Towards Recovery

Depression is more than just feeling "down", and it is not a sign of personal weakness. It is a common, serious and complex illness that affects an estimated 121 million people worldwide.1

Although people with depression have mood disorders, such as loss of interest or pleasure, they often describe their symptoms in physical terms. Left untreated, it can cause problems with relationships, including marital and family problems, difficulty in the workplace and a significantly increased risk of suicide.2,3

Findings from an international survey conducted in early 2005 on behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) revealed substantial gaps in patients' and physicians' knowledge about depression, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.3 For example, individuals suffering from depression, on average, waited more than 11 months to see a doctor and were only diagnosed with depression after five visits to the doctor, further delaying treatment and recovery.4

Breaking Through Barriers was developed to help people with depression, their families and friends learn more about depression - its possible causes, symptoms, effects and treatment options - and work in partnership, along with a healthcare provider, to break through the barriers to recovery.

References
  1. World Health Organization. Factsheet - Depression. 2005. Available at: http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/
  2. Pincus HA, Pettit AR. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;62(suppl 6):5-9.3095-3105
  3. Bradvik L, Berglund M. Late mortality in severe depression. Acad Psychiatry Scand. 2001;103:111-116
  4. 'Depression: The Painful Truth' Survey. Conducted by Harris Interactive between February 21 and April 11, 2005. Available at: http://www.wfmh.org/PainfulTruthsurvey.htm