Therapeutic Management of Depression

Depression is a common, chronic and potentially debilitating illness with the state of gloomy thoughts characterized by sadness, loss of interest in activities and decreased energy (WHO, Mental Health, 2010). In today's busy life, it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorder which is challenge to public health. By 2030, it is projected that depression alone is likely to be the second highest cause of disease burden-second only to HIV/AIDS (WHO, Mental Health, 2010; Mathers and Loncar, 2006). In 2003, results of a large national survey in United States revealed a lifetime prevalence rate of major depression of 16.2%, and the 12-month prevalence rate was 6.6% (Kessler et al., 2003; Kessler et al., 1994). The annual incidence of mood disorders is estimated to range from 7% to 12% of the population, and approximately 1 in 10 adults will suffer from an episode of major depression during any 12-month period (Narrow et al., 2002). Major depression affects 5 to 13% of medical outpatients (Coyne et al., 1994), yet is often misdiagnosed or untreated (Hirschfeld et al., 1997; Goldman et al., 1999). Moreover, it is oftenundertreated when correctly diagnosed (Goldman et al., 1999).