In his new autobiography, “Born To Run,” Bruce Springsteen describes recurring struggles with depression that would last more than a year at a time as he entered his 60s.

It’s not the first time Springsteen, who turns 67 on Sept. 23,  has talked about depression. In 2012, he told The New Yorker he had suicidal thoughts 30 years previous and was burdened by his own success, his relationship with his father and the mental illness that ran in his family. In the past, Springsteen has acknowledged his treatment has included therapy and antidepressants.

“I was crushed between [ages] 60 and 62,” he writes, “good for a year and out again from 63 to 64. Not a good record.”

Depression is a common condition that affects between 15 million and 18 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

“But less than 30 percent of people with an actual depressive disorder actually reach out for assistance,” says Jim O’Dea, PhD, vice president of operations for the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network.

O’Dea says Springsteen’s openness about his depression could encourage others to talk about “something maybe they’ve been reluctant to for a number of reasons.”

“Depression is a medical problem that needs treatment, just like hypertension or diabetes, says O’Dea. “It’s a collection of symptoms that involve emotional symptoms, cognitive symptoms and physical symptoms. The emotional symptoms can be just feeling down all the time. Physically, some people report they have no energy. Cognitively, it makes it difficult to think clearly or to make decisions.”

Springsteen recently told CBS’s “Sunday Morning” that there were times he didn’t want to get out of bed. “It sneaks up on you,” he told CBS correspondent Anthony Mason.

Yet the success rate for people treated for depression might surprise: “Eighty percent of folks who receive treatment for depression will feel better in 4-6 weeks,” says O’Dea. “Those sort of outcomes are not something you see with a lot of other health conditions. The message is lots of people have this condition. If you get treatment, you will get better.”

If you think depression is seriously affecting your life, call Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Network at 1.855.HHC.HERE (1.855.442.4373).