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Depression can be thought of as a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Although psychotherapy is arguably the most well-known depression treatment centered around the mind, other mind-based treatments for depression treatments do exist. This section outlines many of these treatments.
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Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Although psychotherapy is arguably the most well-known depression treatment centered around the mind, other mind-based treatments for depression treatments do exist. This section outlines many of these treatments.
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Treatment of depression can be impacted by addressing various imbalances in the body that can effect brain function. Exercise and Yoga have been to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. Other types of body treatments include acupuncture and aromatherapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with other treatments, as an alternative or as a preventive measure prior to the onset of depression symptoms.
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Treatment of depression can be impacted by addressing various imbalances in the body that can effect brain function. Exercise and Yoga have been to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. Other types of body treatments include acupuncture and aromatherapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with other treatments, as an alternative or as a preventive measure prior to the onset of depression symptoms.
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Treatment of depression can be impacted by addressing various imbalances in the body that can effect brain function. Exercise and Yoga have been to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. Other types of body treatments include acupuncture and aromatherapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with other treatments, as an alternative or as a preventive measure prior to the onset of depression symptoms.
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Treatment of depression can be impacted by addressing various imbalances in the body that can effect brain function. Exercise and Yoga have been to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. Other types of body treatments include acupuncture and aromatherapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with other treatments, as an alternative or as a preventive measure prior to the onset of depression symptoms.
Nutritional imbalances can absolutely lead to the manifestation of depression. Less concerned with a formal diagnosis of depression, many holistically-minded health providers would address what an individual "feeds" their body, believing that what the person consumes is either exacerbating the symptoms of or, conversely, can be changed to help them cure depression. Toxicity and systemic imbalances in the body are caused from lacking adequate nutrition, and this can directly contribute to depression.1 An practitioner less concerned with the formal diagnosis would focus on the individual's specific symptoms and diet, to see how the two are correlated.
Understanding the underlying nutritional imbalances that cause an individual's depression can help the practitioner personalize their nutritional therapy. This personalized treatment is then related to that person's underlying cause or imbalance that has been identified, hopefully making it more effective.
Depression and Toxic Foods
There are certain foods that create a high level of toxicity in the body and mind. Eliminating these foods can decrease the toxicity that can reduce optimal brain function.
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), other forms of refined sugar (and even pure sugars like honey and maple syrup9) can increase inflammation of the brain and need be eliminated. These sugars reacts with proteins and forms little crusts called AGEs (advanced glycation end products) which can damage brain cells and tissue.
- Trans or Hydrogenated Fats are found in many processed foods and likewise need be eliminated. They damage cells and interrupt normal brain function.2
- Caffeine modifies dopamine and epinephrine levels, inhibits the breakdown of AMP (used for intracellular signaling) and sensitizes receptor cites all of which can cause both depression and anxiety symptoms.7
- Alcohol is a depressant which slows down the brain's activity and can leave the person feeling depressed after the "high" from alcohol is gone but before the chemicals realign themselves.
A recent study notes the that fructose malabsorption might play a role in early signs of mental depression.5 For individuals who have problems absorbing fructose, they should aim to consume 0-25g of fructose per sitting and avoid foods containing high levels of fructose, HFCS, sorbitol and short-chain fatty acids (i.e. fermentable-olio-di-monosaccharides and polyols or FODMAPs).6
Nutritional imbalances can absolutely lead to the manifestation of depression. Less concerned with a formal diagnosis of depression, many holistically-minded health providers would address what an individual "feeds" their body, believing that what the person consumes is either exacerbating the symptoms of or, conversely, can be changed to help them cure depression. Toxicity and systemic imbalances in the body are caused from lacking adequate nutrition, and this can directly contribute to depression.1 An practitioner less concerned with the formal diagnosis would focus on the individual's specific symptoms and diet, to see how the two are correlated.
Understanding the underlying nutritional imbalances that cause an individual's depression can help the practitioner personalize their nutritional therapy. This personalized treatment is then related to that person's underlying cause or imbalance that has been identified, hopefully making it more effective.
Depression and Toxic Foods
There are certain foods that create a high level of toxicity in the body and mind. Eliminating these foods can decrease the toxicity that can reduce optimal brain function.
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), other forms of refined sugar (and even pure sugars like honey and maple syrup9) can increase inflammation of the brain and need be eliminated. These sugars reacts with proteins and forms little crusts called AGEs (advanced glycation end products) which can damage brain cells and tissue.
- Trans or Hydrogenated Fats are found in many processed foods and likewise need be eliminated. They damage cells and interrupt normal brain function.2
- Caffeine modifies dopamine and epinephrine levels, inhibits the breakdown of AMP (used for intracellular signaling) and sensitizes receptor cites all of which can cause _ both depression and anxiety symptoms.7
- Alcohol is a depressant which slows down the brain's activity and can leave the person feeling depressed after the "high" from alcohol is gone but before the chemicals realign themselves.
A recent study notes the that fructose malabsorption might play a role in early signs of mental depression.5 For individuals who have problems absorbing fructose, they should aim to consume 0-25g of fructose per sitting and avoid foods containing high levels of fructose, HFCS, sorbitol and short-chain fatty acids (i.e. fermentable-olio-di-monosaccharides and polyols or FODMAPs).6
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Depression is often treated with a series of medications and aggressive therapies to resolve the biochemical imbalances that accompany this health challenge. Antidepressants typically help to normalize brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (such as sertonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) to regulate mood though this claim is often disputed.1
There are a large number of antidepressants available including the following: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclics (TCAs), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many of the drug therapies have interactions and strong side effects so it is important to take them under the strict supervision of a medical professional. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review which revealed that 4% of those taking a specific antidepressant contemplated or attempted suicide versus 2% of those receiving placebos.2 Therefore, it is obvious that the effects of these medications can be severe and should be taken under the strict supervision of a medical professional.
All classes of antidepressants must be taken for three to four weeks before a full therapeutic effect is established. In most states, medical doctors are the ones solely responsible for prescribing antidepressants. Typically, psychiatrists and general practitioners will prescribe and monitor the patient's drug regime. Usually, the doctor will decide if and when a patient should transition off of an antidepressant. In some cases, a patient may have to stay on the medication indefinitely to stay symptom-free.
Antidepressants are the initial and most frequently prescribed form of treatment for unipolar depression in the United States.5 Although psychotropic medications clearly provide enormous benefit and relief to a substantial portion of depressed patients, research does not support this unilateral bias toward medication. Research has shown that a sizable group of patients either chooses not to continue long-term pharmacological therapy in the absence of any depressive symptoms, cannot take medication due to a medical condition that precludes the use of antidepressants, or suffer from the side effects that are intolerable to them.6
Read more about different depression medications below.
Click here to read more on Depression: Opposition to Medical Treatment.
High-intensity Light Therapy
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Depression is often treated with a series of medications and aggressive therapies to resolve the biochemical imbalances that accompany this health challenge. Antidepressants typically help to normalize brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (such as sertonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) to regulate mood though this claim is often disputed.1
There are a large number of antidepressants available including the following: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclics (TCAs), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many of the drug therapies have interactions and strong side effects so it is important to take them under the strict supervision of a medical professional. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review which revealed that 4% of those taking a specific antidepressant contemplated or attempted suicide versus 2% of those receiving placebos.2 Therefore, it is obvious that the effects of these medications can be severe and should be taken under the strict supervision of a medical professional.
All classes of antidepressants must be taken for three to four weeks before a full therapeutic effect is established. In most states, medical doctors are the ones solely responsible for prescribing antidepressants. Typically, psychiatrists and general practitioners will prescribe and monitor the patient's drug regime. Usually, the doctor will decide if and when a patient should transition off of an antidepressant. In some cases, a patient may have to stay on the medication indefinitely to stay symptom-free.
Antidepressants are the initial and most frequently prescribed form of treatment for unipolar depression in the United States.5 Although psychotropic medications clearly provide enormous benefit and relief to a substantial portion of depressed patients, research does not support this unilateral bias toward medication. Research has shown that a sizable group of patients either chooses not to continue long-term pharmacological therapy in the absence of any depressive symptoms, cannot take medication due to a medical condition that precludes the use of antidepressants, or suffer from the side effects that are intolerable to them.6
Read more about different depression medications below.
Click here to read more on Depression: Opposition to Medical Treatment.
High-intensity Light Therapy
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Depression is often treated with a series of medications and aggressive therapies to resolve the biochemical imbalances that accompany this health challenge. Antidepressants typically help to normalize brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (such as sertonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) to regulate mood though this claim is often disputed.1
There are a large number of antidepressants available including the following: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclics (TCAs), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many of the drug therapies have interactions and strong side effects so it is important to take them under the strict supervision of a medical professional. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review which revealed that 4% of those taking a specific antidepressant contemplated or attempted suicide versus 2% of those receiving placebos.2 Therefore, it is obvious that the effects of these medications can be severe and should be taken under the strict supervision of a medical professional.
All classes of antidepressants must be taken for three to four weeks before a full therapeutic effect is established. In most states, medical doctors are the ones solely responsible for prescribing antidepressants. Typically, psychiatrists and general practitioners will prescribe and monitor the patient's drug regime. Usually, the doctor will decide if and when a patient should transition off of an antidepressant. In some cases, a patient may have to stay on the medication indefinitely to stay symptom-free.
Antidepressants are the initial and most frequently prescribed form of treatment for unipolar depression in the United States.5 Although psychotropic medications clearly provide enormous benefit and relief to a substantial portion of depressed patients, research does not support this unilateral bias toward medication. Research has shown that a sizable group of patients either chooses not to continue long-term pharmacological therapy in the absence of any depressive symptoms, cannot take medication due to a medical condition that precludes the use of antidepressants, or suffer from the side effects that are intolerable to them.6
Read more about different depression medications below.
Click here to read more on Depression: Opposition to Medical Treatment.
High-intensity Light Therapy
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Depression is often treated with a series of medications and aggressive therapies to resolve the biochemical imbalances that accompany this health challenge. Antidepressants typically help to normalize brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (such as sertonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) to regulate mood though this claim is often disputed.1
There are a large number of antidepressants available including the following: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclics (TCAs), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many of the drug therapies have interactions and strong side effects so it is important to take them under the strict supervision of a medical professional. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review which revealed that 4% of those taking a specific antidepressant contemplated or attempted suicide versus 2% of those receiving placebos.2 Therefore, it is obvious that the effects of these medications can be severe and should be taken under the strict supervision of a medical professional.
All classes of antidepressants must be taken for three to four weeks before a full therapeutic effect is established. In most states, medical doctors are the ones solely responsible for prescribing antidepressants. Typically, psychiatrists and general practitioners will prescribe and monitor the patient's drug regime. Usually, the doctor will decide if and when a patient should transition off of an antidepressant. In some cases, a patient may have to stay on the medication indefinitely to stay symptom-free.
Antidepressants are the initial and most frequently prescribed form of treatment for unipolar depression in the United States.5 Although psychotropic medications clearly provide enormous benefit and relief to a substantial portion of depressed patients, research does not support this unilateral bias toward medication. Research has shown that a sizable group of patients either chooses not to continue long-term pharmacological therapy in the absence of any depressive symptoms, cannot take medication due to a medical condition that precludes the use of antidepressants, or suffer from the side effects that are intolerable to them.6
Read more about different depression medications below.
Click here to read more on Depression: Opposition to Medical Treatment.
High-intensity Light Therapy
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
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Depression** can be thought of as a mooddisordermood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespectiveof irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated withemotional with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severedepression severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterizedas characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer thanseveral than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury orsuicideor suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized bydepression by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lowerseveritylower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by apsychiatrist a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personalpain personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressedpeople depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairlylarge fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but onlyoneonly one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Eventhough Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50%of 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will haveanother have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90%chance 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or morelifetime more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks ofrecovery of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form ofdepressionof depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Depression can have several different underlying causes. It is likely caused by some combination of environmental, genetic, psychological and biochemical factors. In some cases, depression can be triggered by an event such as a death or loss of job while other causes are more systemic such as age or heredity.
Also, there are some Hypothesized Adaptive Evolutionary Theories of Depression that point to some evolutionary theories on why we get depressed.
And finally, some Psychological Perspectives on the Etiology of Depression seek to explain depression from the standpoint of unexpressed and repressed anger.
Depression can be thought of as a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Depression can be thought of as a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Depression can be thought of as a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Depression can be thought of as a mood disorder, a syndrome involving a collection of symptoms irrespective of the presence of other psychological or medical disorders. Depression itself can be a symptom of other diagnosed disorders. As its own psychological dysfunction syndrome, depression is a constellation of signs and symptoms that cluster together (e.g., sadness, negative self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, loss of pleasure). In its most serious forms, depression is a disabling disorder that is associated with emotional distress, severe social and occupational disruption, increased risk for physical illness and sometimes death. Up to 15% of individuals with severe Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide. Depression is frequently a chronic disorder that can last for months or even years. Nevertheless, it has been proven that most severe depression can be improved with treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that more than 19 million adult Americans experience some form of depression each year. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. According to NIMH and the costs associated with depression are more than $30 billion per year.1 Needless to say, depression is one of the most commonly encountered disorders by mental health professionals. Further estimates suggest that by 2010, depression will be the second most costly of all illnesses worldwide—in 1990 it was ranked fourth.2
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized as a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Dysthymia, a related disorder, is characterized by depression symptoms that last two years or longer but at a lower severity. Other types of depression including postpartum depression, bipolar depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are treated with different protocols as prescribed by a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist.
No amount of data can adequately capture or convey the personal pain and suffering experienced in depression. Yet most depressed people do not get professional help. Depression effects a fairly large number of people—20% of people are impacted but only one-quarter of them seek any type of treatment.3 Even though the vast majority of people recover from depression, they remain vulnerable to future symptoms and depressive episodes. At least 50% of individuals who suffer from one depressive episode will have another within 10 years. Those experiencing two episodes have a 90% chance of suffering a third while individuals with three or more lifetime episodes have relapse rates of 40% within 15 weeks of recovery from an episode.4
Major Depressive disorder is highlighted in this health challenge as it is the most prevalent form of depression. However, many types of depression exist.
Read more about the varied clinical diagnosis of depression: Types of Depression
Read more about Women's Depression
Read more about Men's Depression
Read more about Childhood Depression
Read more about Adolescent Depression
Read more about History of Depression
Help improve this article. Become a contributor!
Treatment of depression can be impacted by addressing various imbalances in the body that can effect brain function. Exercise and Yoga have been to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. Other types of body treatments include acupuncture and aromatherapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with other treatments, as an alternative or as a preventive measure prior to the onset of depression symptoms.
