Mild depression is a normal reaction to loss, life’s problems, and other setbacks. But when depressive feelings become overwhelming, involve physical symptoms, and last for extended periods of time, they can keep people for from leading a normal, active life.

Depression is highly treatable. Studies show that only 50 percent of individuals actively seek conventional treatment, although most people do find relief through treatment. In the United States, the incidence of depression has increased every year in the past century, and now, according to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of ten people report experiencing a depressive episode.

Medicom Health now offers the Depression Profiler. The profiler is an online application that screens adults for symptoms of depression. The application also assesses how users’ symptoms impact their quality of life. The purpose of the application is to identify consumers who should undergo additional screening in a primary care setting.

The tool proactively engages current and prospective patients by educating them on symptoms and symptom severity. Users receive a personalized report and depending on their symptom severity, directs them to undergo additional screening in a primary care setting or keep a journal of their symptoms. The journal allows users to track their symptoms over a two-week period and share them with a health care professional.