Some 17 million U.S. adults had depression

An estimated 17 million U.S. adults age 18 and older reported having experienced at least one major depressive episode during the past year.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration extracted the data from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health -- which for the first time asked adults in the survey age 18 and older questions reflecting the criteria for major depressive episodes from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

During the 12 months prior to the interview, 65.1 percent of adults who had experienced a major depressive episode in the past year reported seeing or talking to a medical doctor or other health professional, or taking prescription medications for depression.

"The good news is, almost two-thirds of people with depression are seeking help," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said.

© Copyright 2005 by United Press International