Depression support group to meet in Oak Park

A confidential depression support group affiliated with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance began meeting this week at the Oak Park Library.

According to studies, clinical depression affects about 16 percent of the population at some time in their lives. The average age of onset in the late 20s and the trend is for it to strike at ever younger ages.

About twice as many women as men report or receive treatment for clinical depression, though the gap is shrinking and this difference disappears after menopause.

The incident rate for depression is 10 times greater than it was in 1960. It's estimated that 20 percent of the population will have at least one major depressive episode in their lives. The World Health Organization projects that by 2020 depression will be the second biggest health care problem after heart disease, based on its economic and social impact.

Depression is one of the costliest worker health care problems, accounting for five times more absences than nondepression related problems.

Only about 12 percent of depression sufferers seek treatment. Of those who do, it is estimated that 50 percent who recover from an initial episode will have one more. Twenty percent of those who have an initial bout of depression will probably end up having a chronic, lifetime problem.

The most common treatment is to have a personal physician prescribe an antidepressant. Seventy to 80 percent of those who seek treatment get help this way. But it's not always the best approach because only about a third of those affected respond to antidepressants and some people experience bothersome side effects.

According to the support group representatives, the best treatment for depression is a combination of an antidepressant and psychotherapy.

The local meetings will include both support and educational activities. An experienced group facilitator will lead the program. For details, contact Vince Caimano at (818) 707-9799 or e-mail vcaimano@mindspring.com. Acorn Bits

Getting help

The Conejo Valley DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Mon., June 11 and Tues., June 19 at the Oak Park Library, 899 N. Kanan Road. Meet with others who are coping with depression for discussion, education and support. For more information, call (818) 707-9799.