Depression: Part I

Depression is not just "the blues." Depression is one of the most serious and common of all mental disorders. It is also one of the most treatable--provided the victim seeks treatment. At any time, more than nine million Americans may be suffering from depression. More than 15 percent of Americans are attacked by depression at some time in their lives.

While we've all felt sad at times, we usually get up, go to work, and try to overcome our general discouragement with life. But when these overwhelming feelings of sadness persist--even if for only a few weeks--you may be suffering from a clinical depression, which means you need some professional treatment. Besides a depressed mood or loss of pleasure, symptoms of clinical depression may include appetite and sleep changes, apathy, fatigue, hopelessness, guilt, loss of concentration, and thoughts of suicide.

There are two major kinds of depression: bipolar and unipolar. In bipolar depression, the patient rides a roller coaster of emotions from high to low, leading to the term "manic depression." Unipolar depression, also known as clinical or major depression, lacks bipolar's "highs."

Next: Treating Depression