Depression

Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass with a little time. Depression—also called “clinical depression” or a “depressive disorder”—is a mood disorder that causes distressing symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.

hOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The first step in getting the right treatment is to visit a health care provider or mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Your health care provider can do an exam, interview, and lab tests to rule out other health conditions that may have the same symptoms as depression.

Once diagnosed, depression can be treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.

If you feel that you may be struggling with depression, schedule an appointment for a an evaluation.

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities

  • Decreased energy, fatigue, or being “slowed down”

  • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

  • Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Helpful videos

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-depression-helen-m-farrell Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world; in the United States, close to ten percent of adults struggle with the disease. But because it's a mental illness, it can be a lot harder to understand than, say, high cholesterol. Helen M.

Kevin Breel didn't look like a depressed kid: team captain, at every party, funny and confident. But he tells the story of the night he realized that -- to save his own life -- he needed to say four simple words.