Medical professionals today estimate that potentially one in five Americans will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder, including depression.  That's 44 million adults and 4 million children.  However, the data suggest primary care physicians do not always recognize depression.

This episode of Second Opinion brings together a panel of medical experts and health care providers - plus the First Lady of New Jersey, Mary Jo Codey, who shares her own battle with depression. Together, they explore the likely causes and symptoms of this condition, as well as current trends in diagnosis and treatment.  Along the way, they address such central concerns as:

• Am I just "down," or is this a genuine illness?
• Can depression ultimately be overcome and life return to normal?
• Are all treatments "legitimate," and which would be best for me?

There is a diagnostic manual that mental health professionals use to answer these questions.  If you, or somebody you know, has experienced a profound change in mood or a general loss of interest, you won't want to miss this episode of Second Opinion.