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Employee Assistance Program

Dealing with Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad or a little under the weather. Depression is a mental illness that can seriously affect a person's feelings, thought patterns, behavior and quality of life. At work, depression can affect concentration, energy level, work performance and interest in life. More than five percent, or 15 million Americans, suffer from depression. At least one in six people will suffer from a depressive illness at least once in his/her lifetime.

Nearly two-thirds of depressed people do not get appropriate treatment because the symptoms are not recognized, the symptoms are blamed on personal weakness or the illness is so severe the person cannot reach out for help.

Depression is often treated with medication, counseling or a combination of both. The good news is that of all psychiatric illnesses, depression is one of the most responsive to treatment. With proper care, approximately 80 percent of people with major depression demonstrate significant improvement and lead productive lives. Contacting Intermountain's Employee Assistance Program is a good place to begin if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or are concerned about a loved one.

Self-Care Quick Tip

A Guide to Depression

Booklets
Depression - A comprehensive booklet for adult and childhood depression.
Bi-Polar Disorder - An up-to-date booklet on symptoms and treatment.
Order these free booklets.

Our Favorite Book

The Feeling Good Handbook – by David D. Burns
Offering powerful new techniques and providing step-by-step exercises that help you cope with the full range of everyday problems. (The Penguin Group, 1999)

"It affects the way you think. It affects the way you feel. It just simply invades every pore of your skin. It's a blanket that covers everything. The act of pretending to be well was so exhausting. All I could do was shut down. At times you just say, 'It's enough already.'"
— Steven Lappen