OBJECTIVE: The authors' goal was to evaluate the association between impairment in daily function and subsyndromal depressive symptoms as well as major depression to determine the economic and societal significance of these conditions. METHOD: Using 12-month prevalence data gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program (ECA), based on responses to the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule, the authors divided the 2,393 subjects from the Los Angeles ECA site into three groups: subjects with subsyndromal depressive symptoms (N = 270), major depression (N = 102), and no depressive disorder or symptoms (N = 2,021). The groups were compared on 10 domains of functional outcome and well-being. RESULTS: Significantly more subjects with depressive symptoms than subjects who had no disorder reported high levels of household strain, social irritability, and financial strain as well as limitations in physical or job functioning, restricted activity days, bed days, and po...