Depression

Facts About Depression

Depression in the United States…

  • Affects over 18 million adults (one in ten) in any given year

  • Is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44

  • Affects over 300 million people worldwide, regardless of culture, age, gender, religion, race, or economic status

  • Is one of the most debilitating conditions in the world, with severe depression rated in the same disability category as terminal stage cancer

  • Is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease

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What Is It?

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

It can lead to various emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and home.

What Does It Look Like?

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

  • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

  • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

  • Loss of energy or increased fatigue

  • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, fidgeting) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)

  • Feeling worthless or guilty

  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

What Can I Do?

Am I Depressed?: Self Assessment Exam

Find A Therapist: Therapists near me

Call Someone: Crisis Warmline

Help a Friend: Ways to Help Someone

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Postpartum Depression

Women who have major depression in the weeks and months after childbirth may have peripartum depression. Approximately 1 in 10 men also experiences depression in the peripartum period.

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Bipolar Depression

Someone with bipolar disorder, which is also sometimes called "manic depression," has mood episodes that range from extremes of high energy with an "up" mood to low "depressive" periods. When you're in a low phase, you'll have the symptoms of major depression.


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Seasonal Depression (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is a period of major depression that most often happens during the winter months when the days grow short and you get less and less sunlight. It typically goes away in the spring and summer. If you have SAD, antidepressants can help. So can light therapy. You'll need to sit in front of a special bright lightbox for about 15-30 minutes each day.