Depression is a common and debilitating mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and functions. Major symptoms include depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, lack of energy, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts in more severe cases. Depression can be triggered by stressful life events, genetics, medical conditions, or chemical imbalances in the brain. It is a leading cause of suicide and its prevalence is increasing worldwide.

1. Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense
of w ell-being.[1][2]
Depression is a common and debilitating mood disorder that is affecting more and more people around the world.
A n estimated 350 million people of all ages experience symptoms of depression and about 13 percent of A mericans take
antidepressants—a figure that jumps to 25 percent for women in their 40s and 50s.
While some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom, others feel lifeless , empty,
and apathetic. M en in particular may even feel angry and restless. No matter how you experience it, depression is different from
normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun.
Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these
symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve
lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression.
People w ith a depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, w orthless, guilty, irritable,
angry,[3]
ashamed orrestless. They may lose interest in activities that w ere once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or
overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, experience relationship difficulties and
may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or
reduced energy may also be present.[4]
Depressed mood is a feature of some psychiatric syndromes such as major depressive disorder,[2]
but it may also be a
normal reaction, as long as it does not persist long term, to life events such as bereavement, a symptom of some bodily
ailments or a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments. A DSM diagnosis distinguishes an episode (or 'state') of
depression from the habitual (or 'trait') depressive symptoms someone can experience as part of their personality.[5]
Signs and symptoms of depression include:
 Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can
do to improve your situation.
 Loss of interest in daily activities. Y ou don’t care anymore about former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex.
Y ou’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
 Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a
month.
 Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping.
 Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Y our tolerance level is low, your temper short, and
everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
 Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Y our whole body may feel heavy, and eve n small
tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
 Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Y ou harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
 Reckless behavior. Y ou engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or
dangerous sports.
 Concentration problems. T rouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
 Unexplained aches and pains. A n increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and
stomach pain.
Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. T he deep despair and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make sui cide
feel like the only way to escape the pain. If you have a loved one with depression, take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously and
watch for the warning signs:
 T alking about killing or harming one’s self
 Expressing strong feelings of hopelessness or being trapped
 A n unusual preoccupation with death or dying
 A cting recklessly, as if they have a death wish (e.g. speeding through red lights)
 C alling or visiting people to say goodbye
 Getting affairs in order (giving away prized possessions, tying up loose ends)
 Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I want out”
 A sudden switch from being extremely depressed to acting calm and happy

2. Depression often varies according to age and gender, with symptoms differing between men and women, or young people and older
adults.
 Depression in men. Depressed men are less likely to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead,
they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies. T hey’re also
more likely to experience symptoms such as anger, aggression, reckless behavior, and substance abuse.
 Depression in women. Women are more likely to experience symptoms such as pronounced feelings of guilt,
excessive sleeping, overeating, and weight gain. Depression in women is also impacted by hormonal factors during
menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. U p to 1 in 7 women experience depression following childbirth, a condition
known as postpartum depression.
 Depression in teens. Irritability, anger, and agitation are often the most noticeable symptoms in depressed teens —not
sadness. T hey may als o complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical pains.
 Depression in older adults. O lder adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional
signs and symptoms of depression: things like fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, and memory problems. T hey may
also neglect their personal appearance and stop taking critical medications for their health.
Types of depression
Depression comes in many shapes and forms. Knowing what type of depression you have can help you manage your symptoms and
get the most effective treatment.
Major depression
M ajor depression is much less common than mild or moderate depression and is characterized by intense, relentless symptoms.
 Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months.
 Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but major depression can be a recurring
disorder.
Atypical depression
A typical depression is a common subtype of major depression with a specific symptom pattern. It responds better to some
therapies and medications than others, so identifying it can be helpful.
 P eople with atypical depression experience a temporary mood lift in response to positive events, such as after receiving
good news or while out with friends.
 O ther symptoms of atypical depression include weight gain, increased appetite, sleeping excessively, a heavy feeling in
the arms and legs, and sensitivity to rejection.
Dysthymia (recurrent, mild depression)
Dysthymia is a type of chronic “low-grade” depression. M ore days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you
may have brief periods of normal mood.
 T he symptoms of dysthymia are not as strong as the symptoms of major depression, but they last a long time (at least
two years).
 Some people also experience major depressive episodes on top of dysthymia, a condition known as “double depression.”
 If you suffer from dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. O r you may think that your continuous
low mood is “just the way you are.”
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

3. For some people, the reduced daylight hours of winter lead to a form of depression known as seasonal affective
disorder (SAD). SA D affects about 1% to 2% of the population, particularly women and young people.
 SA D can make you feel like a completely different person to who you are in the summer: hopeless, sad, tense, or
stressed, with no interest in friends or activities you normally love.
 SA D usually begins in fall or winter when the days become shorter and remains until the brighter days of spring.
Depression causes and risk factors
While some illnesses have a specific medical cause, making treatment straightforward, depression is more complicated. Depress ion
is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be simply cured with medication. It’s caused by a combination of
biological, psychological, and social factors. In other words, your lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills matter just as
much—if not more so—than genetics.
Risk factors that make you more vulnerable to depression include:
 Loneliness and isolation
 Lack of social support
 Recent stressful life experiences
 Family history of depression
 M arital or relationship problems
 Financial strain
 Early childhood trauma or abuse
 A lcohol or drug abuse
 U nemployment or underemployment
 Health problems or chronic pain
The cause of your depression helps determine the treatment
U nderstanding the underlying cause of your depression may help you overcome the problem. For example, if you are depressed
because of a dead end job, the best treatment might be finding a more satisfying career, not taking an antidepressant. If you are
new to an area and feeling lonely and sad, finding new friends will probably give you more of a mood boost than going to therapy.
In such cases, the depression is remedied by changing the situation.
Depression recovery
When you’re depressed, it can feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But the truth is that there are many things you can
do to lift and stabilize your mood. T he key is to start with a few small goals and slowly build from there, trying to do a li ttle more .

4. 
 November 24, 2009 | UPDATED 16:52 IST
 While talk therapy is apopularway ofovercoming depression in the West,here anti-depressants are stillbeing
prescribed despite the evidence mounting against theirusefulness
Sanjeev sharma was the life ofevery party.Young,exuberant andsuccessful,he believed he had everythinga man
could possibly dreamof.Suddenly things changed.Activities he earlierfound pleasurable no longerappeared
worthwhile.He started losingsleepand was often distractedat work.At the insistence ofsome colleagues,he sought
help from a therapist.
 During a session,it emerged that Sanjeev's recent divorce hadtaken a tollon his nerves.The psychiatrist
concludedthathis divorce coupled with a destructive thought patternhad triggered his depression.He was put on
a course ofantidepressantsand psychotherapy.
 Depressivedisordersclaim1 lakh lives in India annually,and this figure is expected to spiralupwards:The
World Health Organisationhasconcluded that by2020 depressionwill be the secondhighest killer afterheart
disease.A dysfunctionalfamily life, stress,chemicalimbalances in the brain and genetic makeup can trigger
depression.
 Sometimes there is no reason forsadness.Serious depressionis different fromperiodic sadness,and affects a
person'smood and thought patternsin a more persistent way.It's toughto snap out ofit without counselling and
medical intervention.
 In India the first choice oftreatment by psychiatrists are antidepressants,typically prescribedformoderate and
severe depression.Theseare intended to restore the chemicalbalance in the brain but theyactually achievethis
end is still a mystery.As Diksha Sawhneysays,"When Iasked my psychiatristhowexactly Prozac would help
me she said the exact mechanismwas stillhazy.I tookthe drug but was not mentally satisfied.Ifthey don't even
knowhowit works then Ihave my doubts about its efficacy."
 What 'happy pills' contain
All antidepressantsor"happy pills" as they are popularly known as,are not alike. The fourmain categories of
antidepressants are SSRI's,SNRI's, Tricyclics and MAOInhibitors.Allof these boast ofdifferent mechanisms
through which they alterbrain chemistry.Antidepressants target various chemicals to restore the chemical
balance in the brain.A chemically balanced brain is indicative ofcure fromdepression.Almost all
antidepressants have adverse side effects.These range fromanxiety,weight gain,tremors and drowsinessto
rapid heart beat and lowblood pressure.
 The MAOInhibitors have an additionalside effect ofan adversereactionwith tyramine.
 Tyramine is present in food items suchas cheese andpickles.Anybody on a course ofMAOInhibitors will have
to follow a restricted diet.


5.  Reach out to other people. Isolation fuels depression, so reach out to friends and loved ones, even if you feel like
being alone or don’t want to be a burden to others. T he simple act of talking to someone face to face about how you feel
can be an enormous help. T he person you talk to doesn’t have to be able to fix you. He or she just needs to be a good
listener—someone who’ll listen attentively without being distracted or judging you.
 Get moving. When you’re depressed, just getting out of bed can seem daunting, let alone exercising. But regular
exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication in countering the
symptoms of depression. T ake a short walk or put some music on and dance around. Start with small activities
and build up from there.
 Eat a mood-boosting diet. Reduce your intake of foods that can adversely affect your mood, such as caffeine, alcohol,
trans fats, sugar, and refined carbs. A nd increase mood-enhancing nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids.
 Find ways to engage again with the world. Spend some time in nature, care for a pet, volunteer, pick up a hobby
you used to enjoy (or take up a new one). Y ou won’t feel like it at first, but as you participate in the world again, you will
start to feel better.
Depression
Definition
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood
disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities,
such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be
present for at least two weeks.
Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique
circumstances, such as:
 Persistentdepressive disorder(alsocalleddysthymia) isadepressedmoodthatlastsforat leasttwo
years.A persondiagnosedwithpersistentdepressive disordermayhave episodesof majordepression
alongwithperiodsof lesssevere symptoms,butsymptomsmustlastfortwoyearsto be considered
persistentdepressivedisorder.
 Perinatal depressionismuch more seriousthanthe “babyblues”(relativelymilddepressive andanxiety
symptomsthattypicallyclearwithintwoweeksafterdelivery) thatmanywomenexperience aftergiving
birth.Womenwithperinatal depressionexperience full-blownmajordepressionduringpregnancyor
afterdelivery(postpartumdepression).The feelingsof extreme sadness,anxiety,andexhaustionthat
accompanyperinatal depressionmaymake itdifficultforthese new motherstocomplete dailycare
activitiesforthemselvesand/orfortheirbabies.
 Psychotic depressionoccurswhena personhassevere depressionplussome formof psychosis,suchas
havingdisturbingfalsefixedbeliefs(delusions) orhearingorseeingupsettingthingsthatotherscannot
hearor see (hallucinations).The psychoticsymptomstypicallyhave adepressive “theme,”suchas
delusionsof guilt,poverty,orillness.
 Seasonal affective disorderischaracterizedbythe onsetof depressionduringthe wintermonths,when
there islessnatural sunlight.Thisdepressiongenerallyliftsduringspringandsummer.Winter
depression,typicallyaccompaniedbysocial withdrawal,increasedsleep,andweightgain,predictably
returnseveryyearinseasonal affective disorder.
 Bipolar disorderis differentfromdepression,butitisincludedinthislistisbecause someone with
bipolardisorderexperiencesepisodesof extremelylow moodsthatmeet the criteriaformajor
depression(called“bipolardepression”).Butapersonwithbipolardisorderalsoexperiencesextreme
high– euphoricorirritable –moodscalled“mania”or a lesssevere formcalled“hypomania.”

6. Examples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification
of DSM-5 include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (diagnosed in children and
adolescents) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Signs and Symptoms
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly
every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:
 Persistentsad,anxious,or“empty”mood
 Feelingsof hopelessness,orpessimism
 Irritability
 Feelingsof guilt,worthlessness,orhelplessness
 Loss of interestorpleasure inhobbiesandactivities
 Decreasedenergyorfatigue
 Movingor talkingmore slowly
 Feelingrestlessorhavingtrouble sittingstill
 Difficultyconcentrating,remembering,ormakingdecisions
 Difficultysleeping,early-morningawakening,oroversleeping
 Appetite and/orweightchanges
 Thoughtsof deathor suicide, orsuicide attempts
 Achesor pains,headaches,cramps,ordigestiveproblemswithoutaclearphysical cause and/orthat do
not ease evenwithtreatment
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few
symptoms while others may experience many. Several persistent symptoms in addition to low
mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few – but
distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their “subsyndromal” depression. The
severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the
individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of
the illness.
Risk Factors
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research suggests
that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and
psychological factors.
Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized
as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent
irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high
levels of anxiety in children.
Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical
illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are
often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical

7. illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor experienced in treating
these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy.
Risk factors include:
 Personal orfamilyhistoryof depression
 Major life changes,trauma,orstress
 Certainphysical illnessesandmedications
Treatment and Therapies
Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the
more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a
combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore.
Quick Tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-
fits-all" for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for
you.
Medications
Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. They may help improve the way your brain
uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. You may need to try several different
antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has
manageable side effects. A medication that has helped you or a close family member in the past
will often be considered.
Antidepressants take time – usually 2 to 4 weeks – to work, and often, symptoms such as sleep,
appetite, and concentration problems improve before mood lifts, so it is important to give
medication a chance before reaching a conclusion about its effectiveness. If you begin taking
antidepressants, do not stop taking them without the help of a doctor. Sometimes people taking
antidepressants feel better and then stop taking the medication on their own, and the depression
returns. When you and your doctor have decided it is time to stop the medication, usually after a
course of 6 to 12 months, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease your dose.
Stopping them abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Please Note: In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 may experience an
increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few
weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. This warning from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) also says that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be
watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
If you are considering taking an antidepressant and you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about any increased health risks to you or your
unborn or nursing child.

8. To find the latest information about antidepressants, talk to your doctor and visit www.fda.gov .
You may have heard about an herbal medicine called St. John's wort. Although it is a top-selling
botanical product, the FDA has not approved its use as an over-the-counter or prescription
medicine for depression, and there are serious concerns about its safety (it should never be
combined with a prescription antidepressant) and effectiveness. Do not use St. John’s wort
before talking to your health care provider. Other natural products sold as dietary supplements,
including omega-3 fatty acids and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), remain under study but have
not yet been proven safe and effective for routine use. For more information on herbal and other
complementary approaches and current research, please visit the National Center for
Complementary and Integrative Health website.
Psychotherapies
Several types of psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy” or, in a less specific form, counseling)
can help people with depression. Examples of evidence-based approaches specific to the
treatment of depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT),
and problem-solving therapy. More information on psychotherapy is available on the NIMH
website and in the NIMH publication Depression: What You Need to Know.
Brain Stimulation Therapies
If medications do not reduce the symptoms of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may
be an option to explore. Based on the latest research:
 ECT can provide relief forpeople withseveredepressionwhohave notbeenable tofeel betterwith
othertreatments.
 Electroconvulsive therapycanbe an effectivetreatmentfordepression.Insome severe caseswherea
rapidresponse isnecessaryormedicationscannotbe usedsafely,ECTcan evenbe a first-line
intervention.
 Once strictlyan inpatientprocedure,todayECTisoftenperformedonanoutpatientbasis.The
treatmentconsistsof a seriesof sessions,typicallythreetimesaweek,fortwotofourweeks.
 ECT may cause some side effects,includingconfusion,disorientation,andmemoryloss.Usuallythese
side effectsare short-term, butsometimesmemoryproblemscanlinger,especiallyforthe months
aroundthe time of the treatmentcourse.AdvancesinECTdevicesandmethodshave made modernECT
safe and effective forthe vastmajorityof patients.Talktoyourdoctor and make sure youunderstand
the potential benefitsandrisksof the treatmentbefore givingyourinformedconsenttoundergoing
ECT.
 ECT is not painful,andyoucannotfeel the electrical impulses.Before ECTbegins,apatientisputunder
brief anesthesiaandgivenamuscle relaxant.Withinone hourafterthe treatmentsession,whichtakes
onlya fewminutes,the patientisawake andalert.
Other more recently introduced types of brain stimulation therapies used to treat medicine-
resistant depression include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and vagus nerve
stimulation (VNS). Other types of brain stimulation treatments are under study. You can learn
more about these therapies on the NIMH Brain Stimulation Therapies webpage.

9. If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your doctor or
health care provider. This could be your primary care practitioner or a health provider who
specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Visit the NIMH Find Help for
Mental Illnesses if you are unsure of where to start.
Beyond Treatment: Things You Can Do
Here are other tips that may help you or a loved one during treatment for depression:
 Try to be active andexercise.
 Setrealisticgoalsforyourself.
 Try to spendtime withotherpeople andconfideinatrustedfriendorrelative.
 Try not to isolate yourself,andletothershelpyou.
 Expectyourmood to improve gradually,notimmediately.
 Postpone importantdecisions,suchasgettingmarriedordivorced,orchangingjobsuntil youfeel
better.Discussdecisionswithotherswhoknow youwellandhave amore objective view of your
situation.
 Continue toeducate yourselfaboutdepression.
Join a Study
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and
conditions, including depression. During clinical trials, some participants receive treatments
under study that might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or
devices, or new ways to use existing treatments. Other participants (in the “control group”)
receive a standard treatment, such as a medication already on the market, an inactive placebo
medication, or no treatment. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment
works and is safe. Although individual participants may benefit from being part of a clinical trial,
participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific
knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future.
Please Note:Decisionsaboutwhethertoparticipate inaclinical trial,andwhichonesare bestsuitedfor
a givenindividual,are bestmade incollaborationwithyourlicensedhealthprofessional.
How do I find a Clinical Trials at NIMH on Depression?
Doctors at NIMH are dedicated to mental health research, including clinical trials of possible
new treatments as well as studies to understand the causes and effects of depression. The studies
take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and require regular visits. After the
initial phone interview, you will come to an appointment at the clinic and meet with one of our
clinicians. Find NIMH studies currently recruiting participants with depression by visiting Join a
Research Study: Depression.
How Do I Find a Clinical Trial Near Me?

10. To search for a clinical trial near you, you can visit ClinicalTrials.gov . This is a searchable
registry and results database of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the
United States and around the world (search: depression). ClinicalTrials.gov gives you
information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and contact information for
more details. This information should be used in conjunction with advice from health
professionals.
What is Depression?
Clinical depression goes by many names,such as “the blues,” biological depression,and major depression.Butall of
these names refer to the same thing:feeling sad and depressed for weeks or months on end — not justa passing
blue mood of a day or two. This feeling is mostoften accompanied bya sense ofhopelessness,a lack of energy (or
feeling “weighed down”),and taking little or no pleasure in things thatonce gave a person joy in the past.
Depression symptoms take manyforms,and no two people’s experiences are exactly alike.A person who’s suffering
from this disorder maynot seem sad to others.They may instead complain abouthow they just“can’t get moving,” or
are feeling completelyunmotivated to do justaboutanything. Even simple things — like getting dressed in the
morning or eating at mealtime — become large obstacles in dailylife.People around them,such as their friends and
family, notice the change too. Often they want to help, but justdon’tknow how.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression can often start off as higher levels of anxiety in children.
But today, the causes of depression still remain largelyunknown.
What’s Depression Feel Like?
“[If there was] certainty that an acute episode [of depression] will last only a week, a month, even a year, it would change
everything. It would still be a ghastly ordeal, but the worstthing about it — the incessant yearning for death, the compulsion
toward suicide — would drop away. But no, a limited depression, a depression with hope, is a contradiction. The experience of
convulsive pain, along with the conviction that it will never end except in death — that is the definition of a severe depression.”
~ George Scialabba
Clinical depression is differentfrom normal sadness — like when you lose a loved one — as it envelops a person in
their day-to-day living. It doesn’tstop after justa day or two — it will continue on for weeks on end, interfering with the
person’s work or school,their relationships with others,and their ability to enjoy life and justhave fun. Some people
feel like a huge hole of emptiness inside when experiencing the hopelessness associated with this condition.In any
given year, 7 percentof Americans will be diagnosed with this condition;women are 2 to 3 times more likelyto be
diagnosed than men (American Psychiatric Association).
Can Depression Be Treated?
The shortanswer is yes:clinical depression is readilytreated nowadays with modern antidepressant medications and
short-term,goal-oriented psychotherapy.For mostpeople,a combination ofthe two works bestand is usuallywhatis
recommended.In more serious or treatment-resistantcases,additional treatmentoptions maybe tried (like ECT or
rTMS). No matter how hopeless things mayfeel today, people can get better with treatment — and mostdo.