What is depression?
Depression is medical condition that affects people of all genders, races,
ages, and income levels. People who are depressed feel more than sadness or
"the blues." They feel hopeless and suffer deep emotional pain for
prolonged periods. Depression can cause dysfunction in every aspect of one's
life.
Nearly one in five Americans will experience depression sometime in their
lifetime, and more than 19 million Americans suffer from a depressive disorder
each year.
Types of depression and causes
There are three basic types of depression:
- Major depression, also called unipolar depression, which is the
most common type of depression. It tends to be episodic, but can persistently
recur. Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks.
- Dysthymia, which is a chronic, unremitting depression. A dysthymia
diagnosis requires fewer symptoms than major depression, but must be present
for at least two years.
-
Bipolar disorder,
also called manic depression, which is depression alternating with elated
or irritable moods and increased energy.
Major depression and dysthymia is twice as prevalent among women than men:
1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will experience these types of depression at some
point in their lives.
Many factors can cause depression, including biochemistry (a chemical imbalance
of mood regulation in the brain), genetics, family history, substance abuse,
and an illness or other difficult life events. Some people have mild depression,
while in others depression is more severe.
Getting treatment
Regardless of the cause, a person should be treated for depression. Two-thirds
of people with depression do not seek treatment because they don't understand
their symptoms or have fear of the stigma of mental illness. Yet of those
who do, 80% are treated effectively with medication, psychotherapy, or both.
It is important to seek medical help early
because:
- Untreated depression is long lasting. A depressive episode, left
untreated, can last six months, or chronically for years.
- Depression is likely to recur. If a person experiences a single
episode of depression, there is a 50% chance of having another. The chance
of recurrence is 70% after two episodes and 90% after three episodes.
- Depression can lead to suicide. Depression is the leading cause
of suicide, and a suicide occurs every 17 minutes
in the United States.
Learn the symptoms of depression, review free brochures, and seek treatment if you or someone you know may
be depressed.
