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Depression


Depression

Depression affects millions of Americans. More than just feeling sad or depressed in a fleeting way, depression can be debilitating, and can isolate people from their families and friends.

About Depression

Depression is a serious mental illness that involves the brain. It is more than just a feeling of being down in the dumps or blue for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings just do not go away. They persist and they interfere with your everyday life. Depression, also known as clinical depression, is a serious medical and mental health disorder that is associated with many factors, including the balance of chemicals in the brain.

Depression can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people also get a seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder (also called manic depressive disorder).

There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants and talk therapy. Most people do best by using both. Depression can negatively affect a person's ability to function effectively in the activities of daily life, such as going to work and school, caring for their family, and taking care of their own basic needs. Current research is searching for specific genes that may be involved in passing a tendency toward developing depression in family lines.

The feelings of sadness linger beyond a short time and intensify to the point that they can interfere with the ability to function normally for people with depression. This in turn can intensify the depression.

There are many factors associated with the development of depression. These include an imbalance in the brain of chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Neurotransmitters function within areas of the brain that regulate emotions and mood. Situational or environmental factors also play a role. These include traumas or stressors, such as the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, or a divorce. If you are depressed, get help!

USA National Suicide Hotlines
Toll-Free / 24 hours / 7 days a week

1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433

1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255

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