Depression is a common phenomenon in society. In other words, everyone will experience sadness at some point (Barlow and Durand, 2009). According to Barlow and Durand, major depressive disorder is a mental illness that affects individuals suffering from debilitating physical and emotional symptoms that prevent them from leading productive and meaningful lives (Barlow and Durand, 2009). If a person is living with depression, they may experience many symptoms other than psychological (Barlow & Durand, 2009). Help should be sought if negative feelings and symptoms do not go away (Barlow & Durand, 2009). Untreated depression can lead to suicide (Barlow & Durand, 2009). “Major depressive disorder” is defined as “the most common and severe depressive experience, including feelings of worthlessness, disturbances in bodily activities such as sleep, loss of interest, and inability to feel pleasure, persisting for at least two weeks” (Barlow and Durand, 2009; DSM, 2004). There are many variables other than biological that make us more prone to depression (Barlow & Durand, 2009). For example, I currently work at Bering Omega Community Services, a hospice serving the HIV and AIDS community. The majority of our residents suffer from some form of mental illness. Their mental illness caused them to behave in risky ways and therefore contributed to their diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. The majority of our residents are polydrug users and would probably still use drugs if they were on the streets. When residents are admitted, we perform a psychosocial assessment and review their medical records. Some of the questions that concern us are: Does the resident have a social network, for example a family... middle of paper ... the most important class if one wants to get involved in the 'help. profession (personal communication). Abnormal Psychology has given me a greater understanding of mental illness and the symptoms individuals experience medically, psychologically, and socially. Works Cited Barlow, DH and Durand, VM (2009). Abnormal psychology (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage LearningJ, Kalat. (2009). Biological Psychology (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage LearningThe Center for AIDS Information and Advocacy (March 2011). Mental and psychological problems affect half of the HIV group. Treatment of HIV alerts, 27-29. Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S., Perez, H. H., & Parsai, B, M. (2011). Hopelessness, family stress, and depression among mothers of Mexican origin in the Southwest. Journal of Health and Social Work, 36, 7-18.