The distribution of the prevalence of depressive
disorders occurs in an unequal manner in the population,
being more significant in women(4), less favored economic
classes(5), young individuals(6) and in individuals with
chronic diseases(7). The prevalence of depression
may vary among populations. In the United States,
for example, 12% of women suffer from depression
yearly, whereas the disease reaches 7% of the male
population(8). In Brazil, it is estimated that about 6% of
the general population had depression in 2003(6).