Depression Also called: Clinical depression, Dysthymic disorder, Major depressive disorder, Unipolar depression Summary Depression is a serious medical illness. It’s more than just a feeling of being sad or “blue” for a few days. If you are one of the more than 19 million teens and adults in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Symptoms can include Feeling sad or “empty” Loss of interest in favorite activities Overeating, or not wanting to eat at all Not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much Feeling very tired Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems Thoughts of death or suicide Depression is a disorder of the brain. There are a variety of causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in teens and young adults. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder. There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants, talk therapy, or both. NIH: National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health NIH MedlinePlus Magazine “Depression Can Disguise Itself…”–But There Is Help Beating Depression Beating Depression: Working It Out Depression Research Depression: Working It Out Do You Have Major Depression? When Medication Is Prescribed Related Issues Alzheimer’s or Depression: Could It Be Both? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Chronic Illness & Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Coping with Unexpected Events: Depression and Trauma Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Depression and African Americans Mental Health America Depression and Anxiety in Migraine Patients American Headache Society Depression and Suicide Risk American Association of Suicidology Find an Expert American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association Find Your Local NAMI NAMI Help for Mental Illnesses National Institute of Mental Health Mental Health Treatment Program Locator Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association Specifics Atypical Depression Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Can Lupus Cause Depression? Lupus Foundation of America Caregiving and Depression Family Caregiver Alliance Coping with Suicidal Thoughts American Academy of Family Physicians Dementia: Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease American Academy of Family Physicians Depression (PDQ) National Cancer Institute Depression After Brain Injury: A Guide for Patients and Their Caregivers Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Depression in the Workplace Mental Health America Dysthymic Disorder American Academy of Family Physicians Treatment-Resistant Depression Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Does the Term “Clinical Depression” Mean? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies Brain Stimulation Therapies National Institute of Mental Health Depression Is Treatable, But You Need to Seek Help Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Depression: Should You Consider Antipsychotics? Consumers Union of U.S. Let’s Learn about Medicines to Treat Depression Array MedlinePlus: Antidepressants National Library of Medicine Psychotherapies National Institute of Mental Health St. John’s Wort and Depression National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Therapy and Counseling American Academy of Family Physicians Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about St. John’s Wort and Depression National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Treating Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Insomnia, and PTSD with Antipsychotics Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Depression National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysthymic Disorder National Institutes of Health Seniors Depression National Institute on Aging Depression National Institute of Mental Health Older Adults and Depression National Institute of Mental Health Women Depression Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Depression and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Depression in Women National Institute of Mental Health Depression in Women: Understanding the Gender Gap Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Teenagers Depression Nemours Foundation Depression and College Students National Institute of Mental Health Teen Depression National Institute of Mental Health Array Depression Depression – elderly Depression – stopping your medicines Dysthymia Heart disease and depression Learning about depression Major depression Major depression with psychotic features Start Here Depression National Institute of Mental Health Depression American Academy of Family Physicians Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Depression: What You Need to Know National Institute of Mental Health Help With Depression American Psychiatric Association Living With Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Depression: Supporting a Family Member or Friend Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children Depression in Children and Teens American Academy of Family Physicians Taking Your Child to a Therapist Nemours Foundation Understanding Depression (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Why Am I So Sad? Nemours Foundation Statistics and Research Depression in Older Adults Mental Health America Major Depression Among Adults National Institute of Mental Health Major Depressive Episode among Full-Time College Students and Other Young Adults, Aged 18 to 22 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Encyclopedia Electroconvulsive therapy Helping your teen with depression Managing your depression – teens Recognizing teen depression Men Male Depression: Understanding the Issues Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Men and Depression National Institute of Mental Health Journal Articles Depression Health Check Tools Screening for Depression Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Videos and Tutorials Symptoms and Treatment of Depression National Institute of Mental Health Latest News Severe Depression Linked to Dementia in Seniors HealthDay Depression Strikes, Stays with Many Caregivers of Critically Ill HealthDay Mindfulness Therapy May Help Ease Recurrent Depression HealthDay Anxiety, Depression May Reduce Women’s Success with IVF: Study HealthDay Seniors’ Worsening Depression May Sometimes Predict Dementia HealthDay Could Inducing Brief, Mild ‘Fever’ Help Ease Depression? HealthDay Could Lots of Time Spent on Social Media Be Tied to Depression? HealthDay Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer Tied to Depression HealthDay Scientists Test ‘Magic Mushroom’ Chemical for Tough-To-Treat Depression HealthDay Pediatricians Vary Widely in Diagnosing ADHD, Depression HealthDay Siri, Other Smartphone ‘Assistants’ May Fall Short in A Crisis HealthDay Depression More Common in Kids Who Join Gangs, Study Finds HealthDay Can the Anesthetic Ketamine Ease Suicidal Thoughts? HealthDay Neighborhood Rats as Depressing as Crime, Study Finds HealthDay Scans Spot Brain Region That Misfires in Depressed People HealthDay
