What is major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly known as depression, is a serious, often chronic condition that can have a profound impact on a person's life, as well as the lives of the person's loved ones. People with depression know it's more than just the "blues." Depression is believed to be associated with changes to levels of a number of chemicals in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Clinically, depression is characterized by five or more of the following symptoms that appear nearly every day, for most of the day for at least two consecutive weeks. At least one of the symptoms must be either persistent sad or "empty" feelings or loss of interest in activities:

• Frequent sadness
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Significant weight change
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Fatigue or low energy
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason

Who gets depression?
Depression does not discriminate, affecting people of all ethnicities, education levels, incomes, and marital status.  An estimated 33 to 35 million U.S. adults have experienced depression at some point during their lifetime.  Depression occurs twice as frequently in women as in men, possibly due to hormonal changes brought on by puberty, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy.

How does depression affect a person's life?
People with depression can experience significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.  Most people who have gone through one episode of depression will, sooner or later, have another episode.  Fortunately, depression can be treated.

How is depression treated?
There are a variety of ways to treat depression, including antidepressant medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).  Lifestyle changes and peer-run support groups, or a combination of these approaches may be helpful.  Eventually, 80 to 90 percent of people with depression respond well to treatment.

• Medication:  Antidepressants are prescription drugs designed to relieve the symptoms of depression. Two commonly used classes of antidepressants are those that affect the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin (SSRIs) and those that affect the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs).  
  Click here for more information about a treatment option.
• Psychotherapy:  Sometimes known as "talk therapy," psychotherapy in the treatment of depression can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychoanalysis.
• Lifestyle changes to consider include:
  • Maintain proper sleep hygiene as advised by a health care professional
  • Eat a well-balanced diet
  • Manage anxiety as advised by a health care professional
  • Participate in a structured and supervised exercise program as advised by a health care professional
  • Set realistic goals
  • Create small and manageable tasks
  • Let family and friends help