Depression:
Depression Basics
Everyone at one time or another has felt depressed, sad,
or blue. Being depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an
injured self-esteem. But sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense,
lasting for long periods of time and preventing a person from leading a normal
life. Depression that has these characteristics is a treatable medical condition
called major depressive disorder, one of a number of depressive illnesses. Types
of depression include: Major
depression, chronic
depression (dysthymia), bipolar depression, and seasonal depression (seasonal
affective disorder or SAD).
According to a report from the National Institute of
Mental Health, nearly 18.8 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from
major depression. Suicide, closely
linked to depression, is the third leading cause of death in 10-
to 24-year-olds. Unfortunately, most people never seek
treatment. Left undiagnosed and untreated, depression can
worsen, lasting for years and causing untold suffering, and
possibly even result in suicide.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
These are some of the signs and symptoms of
depression that you should be aware of:
- Sadness
- Loss of enjoyment from things that were once
pleasurable
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
- Stomachache and digestive problems
- Sexual problems (for
example, decreased sex drive)
- Aches and pains (such as recurrent headaches)
- A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Attempting suicide
Are There Different Types of Depression?
Although these signs and symptoms of depression are characteristic,
they can occur in different patterns, like seasonal symptoms, or in association
with manic features.
Types include:
How Do I Get Help for Depression?
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of
depression, seek your health care provider's advice for treatment or referral to a mental health professional.
Warning Signs of Suicide
If you or someone you know is demonstrating any
of the following warning signs, contact a mental health
professional right away or go to the emergency room for
treatment.
- Thoughts or talk of death or suicide
- Thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
- Aggressive behavior or impulsiveness
Previous suicide attempts increase the risk for
future suicide attempts and completed suicide. All mentions of
suicide or violence must be taken seriously. If you intend or
have a plan to commit suicide, go to the emergency room for
immediate treatment.
Reviewed by the doctors at
The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
Edited by
Cynthia Haines, MD, WebMD, April 2005.
Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic
2000-2005
© 1996-2005
WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
Last Editorial Review: 11/28/2005
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