About Depression

Depression is one of the most common health conditions. A medical illness that involves the mind and body, depression is characterized by chronic or severe levels of sadness, perceived helplessness, disinterest and other related emotions and behaviors. People suffering from depression may appear to be discouraged, disengaged, apathetic and “down.”

This state of mind affects how an individual thinks and behaves, causes a variety of emotional and physical problems and varies in the number, severity and length of symptoms depending on the type of depression. More severe cases of depression can incapacitate a person, affecting the person’s productivity both at work and at home. Even in less severe cases, people with depression are generally not as productive or high functioning as they could be with treatment.

It is not known specifically what causes depression. As with many mental illnesses, it's thought that a variety of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors may cause depression. Although some people experience only one episode of depression, most have repeated episodes of depression symptoms throughout their lives.

The most common depressive disorders fall into three categories – major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.

Major depressive disorder. Characterized by a pervasive low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Impairs a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, and function normally. Treatment involves psychotherapies and/or anti-depressant medications.

Bipolar disorder. Also known as manic depression, this disorder is characterized by moods that alternate between periods of severe depression and periods of elation and excitable behavior known as mania. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. Bipolar disorder is most commonly treated with medications to prevent the extreme mood swings.

Dysthymic disorder. Considered a chronic depression but with less severity than a major depression. People with dysthymia may appear to be chronically mildly depressed to the point that it seems to be a part of their personality. As with major depressive disorder, dysthymia is treated with psychotherapies, anti-depressant medications or both. However, because people with dysthymia can function normally, the disorder often does not get diagnosed.

The good news is that an effective diagnosis and treatment can help reduce even severe depression symptoms. With effective treatment, most people with depression feel better, often within weeks, and can return to the daily activities they previously enjoyed.

Signs and Symptoms

Depression symptoms can vary greatly because different individuals experience depression in different ways. For some, depression symptoms are so severe that it's obvious something isn't right. Others may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.