Types of Depression: Clinical Depression

Clinical depression commonly coincides with physical illnesses, though it frequently goes undetected and untreated. While the rate of major depression in the community is estimated to be between 2-4 percent, among primary care patients it is between 5-10 percent. For inpatients, the rate increases to between 10-14 percent.

Clinical depression or major depression can last months or years if left untreated.

Treating the concurrent depressive symptoms can improve the outcome of the medical illness while reducing the emotional and physical pain and disability suffered by the patient. Anyone who suffers from depression as well as a physical disorder should treat the underlying illness medically and pursue psychotherapy or counseling for the depression that accompanies the physical illness.