Depression: Your Opinions on the Causes, Prescription Medication, and Who Has a Right To Know

A recent morefocus survey asked people their opinions about depression. Over 1200 people reported their feelings about the causes of, treatments for, and the appropriate level of employer involvement with their depression. Thirty percent of respondents have not even been professionally diagnosed while six percent are still unsure if they suffer from depression.

While less people attributed their depression to genetics, most people generally agreed at some level that all four reasons played a role in their depression. Few people disagreed that family genetics, daily stress, major life events, and psychological and physical conditions influenced their depressed state.

While most people didn't think companies should be allowed to screen their employees for depression, they did think that companies have an obligation to help their employees get treatment. In an odd contradiction, of the 721 people that were against company screening, 64 percent did think that companies should get involved in the treatment process.

Eight percent of respondents have been professionally diagnosed with depression yet have not sought out any kind of treatment for it. Of those who have not been professionally diagnosed, 19 percent still did, in fact, try a method of treatment.

Ultimately, morefocus' survey found that respondents tended to characterize depression as a private condition that not only stems from genetic, social, and psychological factors but also is not necessarily cured through prescription medication.