Depression Introduction   Depression is a clinical syndrome marked by alterations in the normal mood of an individual.  This condition usually denotes a low, or sad mood.  It also affects the physical and mental plains of the individual.  There are several different forms of depression, and the classification for the varying forms of depression is dependant upon the severity of exhibited symptoms.  For the purpose of this article, "depression" will refer to both the mild and moderate categories.  The 3 most common types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. [1]   Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.  The most commonly affected of these neurotransmitters is often serotonin, which is the chemical directly associated with feelings of happiness and positive mood. If an imbalance is present, persons are more susceptible to depression when a stressful life event occurs.  There is also a belief that depressive states may be part of a familial component, as it tends to run in families.  However, history shows that this condition does not always follow this trend. [2]   There are no specific time frames on the duration of mental anguish once an individual is diagnosed with depression.  Episodes often occur only once in an individual's life. However, many individuals do have a life-long struggles with depressive episodes.     Depression Symptoms   Individuals suffering from depression can present a myriad of symptoms, depending on the severity and type of depression.  The typical symptoms that can occur with depression include, but are not limited to: persistent sad feeling feelings of hopelessness guilty feelings pessimism loss of interest in hobbies or usual activities that were once enjoyed (including sex) decreased energy difficulty concentrating insomnia hypersomnia anorexia suicidal thoughts irritability and persistent physical complaints that do not respond to normal treatment.[3]   Depression Statistics It is estimated that 9.5% of the population, or 18.8 million individuals, will suffer from a depressive episode in any given year. [4] Only 20% of these individuals, or 3.6 million, will seek treatment, even though 80% of all depressive episodes are treatable. 16% of all adults will experience a depressive episode at some point in their life. 97% of individuals with depression will report that it has a negative affect on their home and work environments, as well as their relationships. [5] The mean age of women affected by depression is 25-44. Depression in Women: Women are two times as likely to be depressed than men. 7 million women in the US are said to be clinically depressed in a given year. 1 in 5 women will develop depression at some point in their life. 15% of women who suffer from depressive episodes will commit suicide. 10% of women will experience postpartum depression. [6] Depression in Men: 3-4 million men are affected by depression. [7] Men are 4 times as likely to commit suicide than women, though they are affected less. Men are more likely to have a depressive episode after becoming unemployed. The majority of men who are depressed are single, widowed, or divorced. [8] Depression in Children and the Elderly: The prevalence of depression in children is on the rise.  2.5% of children and 8.3% of adolescents suffer from depressive episodes. An estimated 6 million elderly are believed to suffer from depression. 25% of all suicides from depression are in the elderly population. 15% of people over the age of 65 suffer from depressive episodes, and only 10% of those seek help. [9]   Learn More About Depression Depression Introduction Depression Treatment Products helpful for Depression   Learn More

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