Depression is a psychiatric illness that affects one in six people in the United States. Nearly two-thirds of people with depression do not realize that they have a treatable illness and do not seek treatment. Depression could happen when there is a decrease in the functional balance of the brain chemicals e.g., serotonin and norepinephrine. Read more: Depression and Suicide Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Learn to Spot Depression: Symptoms, Warning Signs, Medication
Know when you or someone else is depressed. Get information on depression symptoms, signs, tests, and treatments for many types...
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What Is Bipolar Disorder? Symptoms, Manic Episodes, Testing
Bipolar disorder (formerly "manic depression") causes extreme mood shifts and manic episodes. Learn about bipolar 1, bipolar 2,...
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Healthy Aging: Sneaky Depression Triggers in Pictures
There are many causes and triggers of depression. From too little vitamin B12 to too much time alone, look at these surprising...
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Depression Quiz: Signs & Symptoms
Many people do not recognize the symptoms and warning signs of depression and depressive disorders in children and adults. With...
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Depression Therapy: Myths, Facts, and More in Pictures
False ideas scare many depression suffers away from therapy and the quick relief and help these pros can provide. Let our experts...
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17 Everyday Ways to Ease Depression
The right exercise, diet, and activities -- even playing with a pet --can help you recover from depression. Learn simple...
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Postpartum Depression: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Postpartum depression symptoms include insomnia, anger, and irritability after giving birth. Learn about postpartum depression...
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Foods That Help Fight Depression
Foods that help fight depression include turkey, Brazil nuts, carrots, shellfish, coffee, leafy greens, salmon, milk, and...
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Depression Myths: Overwork, Recklessness and More in Pictures
Folk remedies and half-truths still prevent many from getting treatment for depression. WebMD's pictures show unusual symptoms in...
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Depression: Visual Guide to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Do you find yourself getting depressed as winter approaches each year? Or when you don't see the sun for a while? You may have...
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Physical Symptoms of Depression in Pictures
Depression can cause physical problems such as insomnia, chest pain, fatigue, headaches, and more. Learn the signs of depression...
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Holiday Depression: 10 Triggers That Cause Holiday Blues
10 holiday depression and stress triggers, and ways to cope. From anxiety over bills to social commitments and travel, WebMD...
SLIDESHOW
Learn to Spot Depression: Symptoms, Warning Signs, Medication See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Depression
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
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Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a less severe form of chronic depression. Symptoms and signs include insomnia, suicidal thoughts, guilt, empty feeling, loss of energy, helplessness, sluggishness, and persistent aches and pains. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and antidepressants.
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Suicide
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
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What Exactly Does a Psychotherapist Do?
A psychotherapist or therapist is a trained professional who assists people with various mental health conditions such as stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, bipolar disorder, negative behavior patterns, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other debilitating feelings. Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy and can help treat challenges and symptoms associated with mental health and emotional conditions by helping a person understand their repressed feelings, hence equipping them to face new challenges both in the present and future.
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Depression in Children
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
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Teen Depression
Depression in teenagers may be caused by many factors. Symptoms of teen depression include apathy, irresponsible behavior, sadness, sudden drop in grades, withdrawal from friends, and alcohol and drug use. Treatment of depression in adolescents may involve psychotherapy and medications.
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What Is Major Depression Disorder?
The American Psychiatric Association defines major depressive disorder (depression) as a common, but serious, medical illness that negatively affects how one feels, thinks and acts. Depression causes sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and decrease a person’s ability to function at work and home.
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Is Melancholy the Same as Depression?
Melancholy or melancholia is a severe form of depression and it is now termed "melancholic depression." The word “melancholia” is a Greek word to describe the feeling of intense sadness and hopelessness. Melancholic depression makes people lose interest in almost all activities.
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What Are the Four Main Types of Psychotherapy?
There are various approaches to psychotherapy. Which type of therapy will work best may vary from person to person. Therapists often use more than one type of psychotherapy approach in helping their clients. The four most common types of psychotherapy are psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy and humanistic therapy.
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Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes after childbirth may lead to depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include crying a lot, headaches, chest pains, eating too little or too much, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling irritable, sad, hopeless, worthless, guilty, and overwhelmed. Treatment typically involves talk therapy and medication.
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Holiday Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
Though the holidays are a fun time for most, for others, they're a sad, lonely and anxiety-filled time. Get tips on how to avoid depression and stress during the holiday season.
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How Can I Boost My Mood and Mental Health Naturally?
Mental health affects how you think, feel, and interact with the outside world. Boost your mood and mental health naturally by getting enough sleep, moving, eating well, stepping outside, and doing something you enjoy.
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Depression in the Elderly
Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy.
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What Is a Nervous Breakdown?
A nervous or mental breakdown is a general term used to describe a period of overwhelming mental distress. This term is usually used to refer to an intense set of emotions a person experiences in a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, stress disorder, and anxiety.
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Is Bipolar Disorder Connected to Major Depression?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that leads to severe mood swings. If you have an identified condition of depression, it cannot "develop into" or "lead to" bipolar disorder.
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Can Major Depression Lead to Bipolar Disorder?
Depression and bipolar disorder are not the same despite sharing some symptoms. Major depression can't lead to bipolar disorder.
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How to Recognize Symptoms of Suicidal Behavior
People who contemplate suicide see it as a solution to run away from the problems that seem never-ending to them. If they get help in the form of counseling and emotional support at an earlier stage, they can be saved. Some of their words and actions can give you clues if they are at risk of hurting themselves.
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What Are the Top Five Health Concerns?
The top five health concerns today are hypertension, depression, high cholesterol, diabetes, and substance use disorders.
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Is Journaling Good for Mental Health?
Journaling is the process of writing down your thoughts, ideas, and feelings. While writing your way out of depression might not be possible, journaling may help lower symptoms of depression.
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Can Blue Light Cause Depression?
Yes, in humans, there is evidence that supports that blue light disrupts the normal circadian rhythms (biological clock), resulting in mood disorders such as depression.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Depression FAQs
- Does Depression Cause Obesity or Does Obesity Cause Depression?
- Depression - St. John's Wort
- Miscarriage - Depression Risk Increased
- Accutane (isotretinoin) for Acne linked to birth defects, depression and suicide
- Depression and Women
- Teen Suicide Warning Signs
- Is Depression a Side Effect of Celebrex?
- Do Statins Cause Depression?
- What Is CNS Depression?
- Suicide Warning Signs
- 11 Common Depression Symptoms
- Diet and Depression: How Food Can Help with Depression Symptoms
Medications & Supplements
- Antidepressants (Depression Medications)
- Citalopram
- Celexa vs. Lexapro
- Side Effects of Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) vs. Effexor XR (venlafaxine)
- Xanax vs. Valium
- Zoloft vs. Lexapro
- Zoloft vs. Celexa
- L-methylfolate
- Side Effects of Zoloft (sertraline)
- Medicines that Cause Depression
- lamotrigine, Lamictal, Lamictal CD, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal XR
- clozapine
- Side Effects of Citalopram (Celexa)
- Limbitrol (chlordiazepoxide amitriptyline ds)
- levetiracetam antiepileptic
- divalproex sodium
- Types of Antidepressant Medications
- Side Effects of Forfivo XL (bupropion hydrochloride)
Prevention & Wellness
- Obamacare May Have Helped Lower Suicide Rates
- Cancer Patients Vulnerable to Depression, Suicide
- Suicide Rate Is Spiking Upwards in Preadolescent Children
- Ketamine May Be Emergency Deterrent for People at Risk of Suicide
- Drug Overdose Suicides Rising Among Young Americans and Seniors
- Many Who Attempt Suicide Not Getting the Care They Need
- Logic's Hit '1-800-273-8255' May Have Saved American Lives
- Despite Stress of Pandemic, U.S. Suicide Rate Dropped in 2020
- Nurses Have Suicidal Thoughts More Often Than Other Workers: Study
- U.S. Murder Rate Up 30% During Pandemic, Highest One-Year Rise Ever
- Homicides Surged in U.S. in 2020
- Could You Help Prevent a Suicide? Know the Warning Signs
- The Bigger the City, the Lower the Depression Rates?
- Shock Therapy Safe, Effective for Tough-to-Treat Depression
- Big Rise in Suicide Attempts by U.S. Teen Girls During Pandemic
- Time Spent in ICU Linked to Higher Odds for Suicide Later
- Nurses Are Dying From Suicide at Higher Rates
- No Rise in Global Suicide Rate in First Months of Pandemic
- Suicide Attempts Spike Soon After Dementia Diagnosis
- As Lockdowns Cut Into Exercise Time, Depression Rates Are Rising
- As Social Media Time Rises, So Does Teen Girls' Suicide Risk
- ADHD Raises Adult Suicide Risk, Especially for Women
- More Childbearing Women Having Suicidal Thoughts: Study
- Disasters Leave a Rise in Suicides in Their Wake: Study
- What Are the 'Diseases of Despair' Gripping America?
- Money Worries Raise Suicide Risk in People With ADHD: Study
- During Stress of Pandemic, Know Suicide's Warning Signs
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