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Kerry Barrett reporting Depression is unfortunately still thought of as someone’s dirty little secret. But it's far, far more common than most of us realize.
In fact, Salt Lake City has one of the country's largest problems with depression.
So, it was especially interesting Grammy award winning singer Shawn Colvin picked it as one of her stops as she speaks out about her battle with depression.
You wouldn't know it listening to her.. but Grammy winner Shawn Colvin is working for a lot more than just another great record.
Shawn Colvin, singer: "I didn't sleep, I didn't eat. Umm.. I was terrified, rooted to the spot, physical feelings... Icy sort of waves."
A world famous singer, someone who seemed to have it all, was suffering from debilitating depression. Her symptoms changed over time, tending now towards apathy, lethargy, and a general feelings of hopelessness.
Shawn Colvin, singer: "Such self loathing. But all negative."
Major depressive disorder affects up to 14 million adults in the United States every year. And 16 percent of adults will develop it in their lifetime.. it usually develops between the ages of 25 and 44.. but it can happen anytime. It also affects one out of every four women,a rate twice that of men.
Board Certified Psychiatrist and Neurologist Doctor Rhonda Lehr says she believes the reason Salt Lake City residents have a bigger problem with depression may be attributed to the culture.
Dr. Rhona Lehr, M.D., Psychiatrist: "When you're in the middle management... Culture here doesn't always make it easy to get medication."
She says it's important to remember depression is a brain illness. It is an illness that just like anything else, can be treated, and treated very successfully. There are a lot of treatments available these days.
"Get all the information you can. Information is power... Cause it's treatable."
You may be wondering about Colvin's thoughts about Tom Cruise's recent comments about medication and depression.
We asked her and, she says, it's good that he's speaking about it, because its brought the subject of depression to the forefront. She just has a little trouble with him promoting his opinions as fact.. and also being so inflexible on a topic he has no personal experience with.
