Docs Too Quick to Cry Depression

Shrinks are too quick to term patients clinically depressed, says a new study reported in the Washington Post. Researchers argue that a quarter of "acute grief reactions," the standard symptom of depression, may in fact constitute normal responses to stress; they blame the bloated psychopharmaceutical industry, in part, for the inaccurate triage.

"People are starting to think that any sort of negative emotion is unnatural, that they can take medication and feel better," says Allan Horwitz, one of the researchers. The line between routine sadness and depression is thin, but the researchers think patients should avail themselves of support groups and counseling before turning to medication. (More depression stories.)