Depression. Nursing implications of a clinical and social problem.

Depression is a phenomenon with concurrent personal, social, and clinical dimensions. Each person is affected by depression differently and expresses depressive symptomatology in a unique manner. Socially, the incidence of depressive illness in the general population is three times that of schizophrenia. The cost of depression in terms of lost days at work and treatment is estimated to be $29 billion in 1991. Diagnosing and treating depressive illnesses depend on the clinical manifestations of the illness and the assessment skills of the practitioner. Different treatment modalities such as psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and electroconvulsive treatments can be effective singularly or in combination to assist the patient in regaining his or her functionality in daily life.