What Is the Common Cold of Psychopathology?

Depression can happen at any age.

Depression has been called the common cold of psychopathology. Author Paul Gilbert, PhD, says that, like colds, depression is common. However, he stresses that it can be much more serious than colds.

Depression

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says that depression that interferes with your daily life is more than just feeling down.

Types

There are many types of depression but the most common types are major depressive and dysthymic disorders. Major depression is severe and interferes with normal life. Dysthymic may be less severe but lasts for at least two years.

Frequency

Discovery Health estimates that nearly 20 million people in the United States have depression and that almost one-fourth of women have depression so severe they get treatment at least once. NIMH says that postpartum depression occurs in up to 15 percent of women after child birth.

Gender

Women experience depression almost twice as often as men. Major depression occurs in up to 13 percent of men and up to 21 percent of women.

Treatment

The common cold will usually go away by itself. However serious depression may require treatment. Most people who get treatment for depression can be helped.

References

• Discovery Health: How Common Is Depression?
• The Common Cold of Psychopathology?
• National Institute of Mental Health: Depression

Resources

• DSM IV: Major Depressive Episode
• Psychology Information Online: Diagnosis of depression
• Overcoming Depression - University of Maryland