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Despite great advances in treating clinical depression, a very
small proportion of people with the disorder are actually diagnosed. Only
18 percent of those suffering from depression or a generalized anxiety
disorder have ever received an official diagnosis or treatment, according
to the results of the second annual America's Mental Health Survey 2001,
presented at that year's National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
meeting.

The survey of 3,239 adults found that 44 percent of undiagnosed
depression sufferers believe their symptoms are self-manageable. As a
result, they turn to self-help techniques such as prayer, rest, exercise,
sleep and emotional support from family members and friends over
professional help. And because of the stigma associated with mental
health disorders, 42 percent of people with a formal diagnosis are
embarrassed or ashamed by their symptoms.

"We haven't done a good job as a society in recognizing mental
health as a continuum," says Patrick Cody, vice president of
communications for the NMHA. "We need to get better at recognizing when
it's time to get help."