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Nearly 10 percent of the adult population in the United States deals with depression each year. Depression is the fourth-most disabling illness in the world and it can be difficult to treat because it's often complex. It may take a combination of therapies to achieve results, and these treatments may work differently in each patient.

Psychiatrists at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have been participating in a major, multi-center study of depression to help find the most effective ways to treat depression in real-world patients. Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, the UT Southwestern psychiatrist who was lead author on part of the study, says treating depression involves more than just prescribing a medication. It requires following up with subsequent treatments until patients experience results.

This week on Health Watch, we'll look at some findings from research into depression.

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^{May 2006}

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