Depression
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Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, depression can be devastating for the people who have it and for their families. Fortunately, with early detection, diagnosis and a treatment plan consisting of medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle choices, many people do get better. Some people have only one episode in a lifetime, but for most people depression recurs. Without treatment, episodes may last a few months to several years. An estimated 16 million American adults—almost 7% of the population—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. People of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds experience depression, but it does affect some groups of people more than others. Women are 70% more likely than men to experience depression, and young adults aged 18–25 are 60% more likely to have depression than people aged 50 or older.
Symptoms
Just like with any mental illness, people with depression experience symptoms differently. But for most people, depression changes how they function day-to-day.
Common symptoms of depression include:
• Changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Lack of concentration
• Loss of energy
• Lack of interest
• Low self esteem
• Hopelessness
• Changes in movement
• Physical aches and pains
