DEPRESSION
Each year, approximately 18.8 million
Americans suffer from some form of depression, roughly 7% of
the U.S. population. A depressive disorder is an illness
that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the
way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about
oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive
disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a
sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed
or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot
merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without
treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.
Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who
suffer from depression. Depression is not
something you can just "snap out of." It's caused by an
imbalance of brain chemicals, along with other factors. Like
any serious medical condition, depression needs to be
treated. Understanding Depression
If you've been diagnosed with depression,
you may wonder why it had to happen to you. The fact is that
anyone can get depression.
The first step in fighting depression is to understand what
it is, how it affects you, and what causes it.
Treating Depression
Depression can make you feel hopeless and
helpless. But just taking the first step—deciding to get
treatment—can make all the difference. Depression Day by
Day
Even after you've learned that you have
depression and sought treatment for it, you won't feel
better right away. Depression can be frustrating, because
recovering from it takes time. [For more
information please visit: http://www.depression.com/]
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