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The National Mental Health Association developed this fact sheet as an introductory overview of depression.

Information: The Key Ingredient for Treating Depression Depression is a word commonly used to describe temporarily “down” moods or sad feelings, but for a lot of people—at least 10 million in the US alone—it means something much more serious. For these individuals and those who care about them, depression is a severe illness, affecting their body, feelings, and the way they live their lives. In some cases, it can cause death or suicide. It’s not an illness they choose, or one they could escape if they would “snap out of it,” any more than one decides to have diabetes or heart disease. Fortunately, effective treatment (through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both) is available for more than 80 percent of those with this illness, enabling them to live full, healthy lives. The most important part of treatment of any disorder is information—accurate, current facts on the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and tips for coping. The patient, family, and friends should all have this basic understanding of depression to ensure the fullest, quickest recovery. More than a Case of the Blues It’s important to distinguish between normal feelings of sadness we all occasionally experience and what mental health professionals refer to as clinical depression. Clinical depression refers to several serious conditions that are not related to occasional periods of dejection or even the intense feelings of grief that life brings to everybody at one time or another.

Depression takes many different forms, each of which varies from person to person. In general, though, clinical depression is referred to as either “major depression” (the “sad” kind), or “manic-depression” (the “up-and-down” kind).

What Causes Clinical Depression?
Not everyone agrees on what specifically causes these conditions (also known as depressive disorders), but scientists do know that they’re not caused by personal weaknesses, bad parenting, or other factors falsely attributed them. In fact, leading theories indicate that the causes are mostly biological in nature, as with cancer, diabetes, and other major illnesses. Biological factors that are believed to contribute to the development of depressive disorders include heredity (some people maybe have a gene or genes that predispose them to a depressive disorder) and chemical imbalances (some people’s brains may not have the appropriate balance of chemicals needed to process behavioral information). It’s believed that in some cases, a stressful situation can bring these inherited traits and/or chemical imbalances to the forefront and change a person’s behavior in much the same way stress is known to play a role in heart disease or other medical problems.

What are the Symptoms of Clinical Depression?
As with any other illness, clinical depression has recognizable symptoms. These vary from person to person, and not all people with depression have all the symptoms. In general, though, this list of symptoms gives a pretty clear idea as to whether you or someone you know has clinical “major” depression: 􀂃 Persistent (more than several weeks) sad, anxious, or “empty” mood 􀂃 Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism 􀂃 Loss of pleasure or interest in ordinary activities, such as sex 􀂃 Problems with sleep (insomnia, early-morning waking, or oversleeping) 􀂃 Eating disturbances (loss of appetite or overeating) 􀂃 Decreased energy, fatigue 􀂃 Restlessness, irritability 􀂃 Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions 􀂃 Inappropriate feelings of guilt 􀂃 Thoughts of death or suicide (these should always be taken seriously) Occasionally, the symptoms of depression masquerade as persistent physical ailments, such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain. If your family doctor can’t find a specific health problem that might be causing these ailments, consider seeing a mental health professional for an evaluation.

Other people have a depressive disorder that involves something called mania, giving rise to the name “manic-depressive” illness. Because clinical depression is often associated only with feelings of sadness or listlessness, symptoms of manic-depressive illness can go unrecognized. These symptoms include: 􀂃 Inappropriate elation 􀂃 Insomnia 􀂃 Unrealistic notions or self-attitudes 􀂃 Dramatically increased talking, fidgeting, or sexual activity 􀂃 Racing thoughts 􀂃 Inability to make decisions 􀂃 Inappropriate social —behaviors You, a friend, or someone in your family may have clinical depression and not even realize it.

Sometimes, the very nature of the disorder can interfere with the ability to get help. Help is available. If you or someone you know shows the symptoms listed on this fact sheet, consider getting help from a mental health professional.

Where to Get Help
Contact these organizations for additional information:

National Mental Health Association 1021 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314 (800) 969-

NMHA National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association 730 North Franklin, Suite 501 Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 642-0049

National Foundation for Depressive Illness P.O. Box 2257 New York, NY 10116-2257

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302 Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 524-7600

Depression/Awareness, Recognition and Treatment Program (D/ART) National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 14C-02 Rockville, MD 20857 (301) 443-4140