T he World Health Organization reports that depression is the leading cause of disability and loss of work worldwide, affecting more than 300 million people. SUP 3 /SUP In the United States, the lifetime incidence of major depressive disorder is approximately 17 percent at an estimated cost to the economy of over $200 billion annually.SUP1 /SUPThis devastating illness is characterized by depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, inability to experience pleasure, and disruption of eating, sleeping, social, and sexual activities. In severe cases, it can lead to suicide, which has become the third leading cause of death, up 30 percent over the past 10 years, to more than 44,000 in the US alone.SUP2/SUP.
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