Is there a downside to having a mood disorder?

There is an erroneous belief among lay people that mood disorders are benign. This is far from the truth. The most dreaded complication of major depressive disorder is suicide. At least 10-15 percent of patients who have been hospitalized for depression go on to commit suicide. Worldwide the numbers are much higher and close to 30 percent of all depressed individuals commit suicides.  Completed suicides are more widespread among individuals who have severe paranoia or psychotic symptoms, addictive personalities, those who experience stressful life events, have a chronic medical illness or a family history of suicidal behavior. In the US, men go on to kill themselves four times more often than women. The magnitude of mood disorder is enormous and has reached epidemic proportions in some parts of the country. With the recent downturn in economy, murder and suicides are reported almost on a daily basis.