Depression is an extremely common disorder and affects millions of people everyday. It not only affects the lives of the sufferers but their friends, family, and coworkers as well. Depression presents itself as a lowered state of mood varying from a mild sadness to extreme feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness. Individuals may withdraw from normal activities and lose interest in their favorite pastimes. They can also experience headaches, changes in sleep, inability to concentrate or make a decision, changes in eating habits, decreased sexual drive, and anxiety. Everyone has been “depressed” at least one point in his or her lives, however, to be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present for a minimum of two weeks.
The cause of depression will determine the treatment. There are three main causes of depression: genetics, developmental problems, and psychosocial stresses. Although antidepressants and other medication can be effectively used to treat most types of depression, those caused by psychosocial stresses (such as divorce, unemployment, death of a loved one) are best treated by therapy and the passage of time.
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