1. True or False, clinical depression is the most common serious brain disease in the U. S. True.
Depression is known to affect about 1 in 16 Americans each year. It is likely that many more cases of depression go undiagnosed. More people suffer from depression than other mental illnesses, including anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Alzheimer's.

2. True or False, people of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities suffer from major clinical depression. True.
Depression is likely to be the second greatest cause of premature death and disability worldwide by the year 2020 according to the World Health organization. In the U. S., suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans and the 2nd leading cause for young people aged 15-24. Depression among the young and the elderly is increasing annually.

3. True or False, eighty percent of those properly treated for clinical depression show an improvement in their symptoms generally within 4 to 6 weeks. True.
Psychotherapy and medication are very effective in treating depression. In addition, there is more evidence that support groups, and changes in nutrition and life style can help to relieve the symptoms of depression. For medium to major clinical depression, however, medication or ECT are also required.

4. True or False, more people die from suicide than from homicide. True.
Though the media provided far more information on homicide than on suicide, for every two victims of homicide in the U. S., there are at least three people who take their own lives.

5. True or False, psychotropic drugs are the only way to treat clinical depression. False.
Although Psychotropic drugs, while far from perfect, are highly effective, adding counseling, life style changes and, sometimes, alternative treatments can also add to the chances of successful treatment and increased wellness.

6. True or False, men do not suffer from clinical depression. False.
Women are more often diagnosed and treated for depression, but men often suffer from this illness. Men are more likely to self-treat the disease with alcohol and illegal drugs, and they are far more likely to carry out suicide.

7. True or False, clinical depression costs the U. S. more than $45 billion annually. True.
Various sources track the cost of depression, which includes medical expenses, lost productivity, and premature death. Work absenteeism alone costs $12 billion. The cost of this disease is second only to cancer and higher than heart disease.

8. True or False, sad events are the chief cause of clinical depression. False.
Events may trigger depression, but research shows that victims have an imbalance of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The imbalance produces serious and persistent symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite and energy, thinking and decision making skills, and increased feelings of irritability, guilt, and despair.

9. True or False, there is nothing that family and friends can do to help a victim of clinical depression. False.
Family and friends can learn more about the disease, speak openly about it, implement actions suggested by leading mental health professionals and organizations, and help those they love to get the help they need.

10. True or False, clinically depressed children, women, and men can be highly successful and productive. True.
Like other illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, depression can be treated and controlled. Those who suffer from depression work and succeed in every field of work and play. The true opposite of depression is vitality which is clearly exhibited by those who seek and engage in treatment.

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