Of the leading causes of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization, 5 of the top 10 disorders are psychiatric in origin.<sup>39 Murray C.L., Lopez A.D. The Global Burden of Disease Geneva: World Health Organization (1996). 

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The number one disorder with the highest disability-adjusted life-years (a measure of life lost, years lived with a disability, or premature death) was unipolar depression.<sup>58 Weissman M.M. Social functioning and the treatment of depression J Clin Psychiatry 2000 ;  61 (suppl 1) : 33-38

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Depression and its more chronic form of dysthymia received much attention during the 1990s. With the introduction of improved treatment alternatives, understanding depression and dysthymia is essential.