New York—Both overtreatment and undertreatment of depression appear to be widespread in the United States, according to a new study. A report published recently in JAMA Internal Medicine says that most Americans with depression receive no treatment. On the other hand, more than two-thirds of adults receiving treatment for depression did not report symptoms of the disorder or serious psychological distress, according to the Columbia University Medical Center–led study. For the review, researchers analyzed data from a national survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 of more than 46,000 adults focusing on the treatment of depression. Examined were depressive symptoms, serious psychological distress, treatment with antidepressants and psychotherapy, healthcare professionals providing treatment, and other variables including age, gender, race, education, marital status, income, and health insurance.

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