The meaning of depression and a few facts about it

Depression is a disorder that involves feelings of sadness lasting for two weeks or longer,often followed by a loss of interest in life,hopelessness,and decreased energy. These distressed feelings can affect a persons ability to do daily every day tasks and activities.

Facts about depression:

• Depression affects the mind,but it doesn't mean "it's all in your head."
• Up to 90% of depressed people respond positively to one treatment or another
• Sometimes psychotherapy or counseling is all that is needed,but there is also a wide variety of effective antidepressant medications and other alternatives
• Sometimes,the first treatment will work well. At other times,a second or possibly even a third treatment trial is required to find the best(most effective and easily tolerated)treatment for the patient
• Depression affects nearly 19 million Americans
• It is the most common mental illness,yet fewer than half of depressed people seek help
• Depression affects one in five people at some point in their life
• It is the leading cause of suicide
• It afflicts twice as many women as men
• Depression affects people in all age groups