Costs of Depressive Disorders: A Review

Depressive disorders place a significant economic burden on patients, families, caregivers, employers and payers worldwide. The costs of depression are similar in magnitude to, although differently distributed, the costs of cancer, AIDS, and coronary heart disease. Currently, projections indicate that the global burden of depression alone, measured in terms of disability-adjusted life years, will rank second only to ischemic heart disease in the year 2020. Depression is often characterized by repeated relapse or recurrent episodes. The significant disease chronicity that is associated with depression magnifies its long-term societal impact and economic burden.