Depression

Most people experience feelings of sadness or depression as normal responses to life’s struggles, such as loss or injured self-esteem. However, there are those that experience extreme sadness or despair and include feelings of being helpless, worthless, or hopeless. These individuals are likely suffering from clinical depression. Depression is a real illness that affects an estimated 17 million Americans with the potential of seriously impairing their ability to function in everyday situations. Depression can carry with it many damaging consequences to relationships, families, work productivity. There are varying types of depression that has varying sets of symptoms, including thoughts of death or suicide. Other symptoms include a depressed mood most of the day, fatigue or loss of energy daily, feelings of worthless or guilt, impaired concentration, insomnia or hypersomnia, marked diminished pleasure in activities, a sense of restlessness, and significant weight loss or gain. According to the DSM V, at least 5 of the symptoms must be present at the same time to be diagnosed as depression. Identifying the causes of depression is not easy task with any single answer. It’s believed that depression likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. However, depression is a highly treatable illness using methods such as psychotherapy and medications. With the proper treatment plan, the recovery rate for depressed individuals is high.
The different forms of depression include major depression, dysthymic disorder, psychotic depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), with major depression and dysthymic disorders being the most common. Major depression, also called major dep...

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...ession can drastically improve their symptoms of depression can regain control of their lives.

References
Abrahamson, PhD, D. J., Hornyak, PhD, L. M., & Rehm, PhD, L. P. (2010). Depression and How Psychotherapy and Other Treatments Can Help People Recover. American Psychological Association. Retrieved April 13, 2014, from https://www.apa.org/topics/depress/recover.aspx
Ciccarelli, S. K., & White, J. N. (2012). Psychology / Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Moy, R. D. (2009). Mental Depression: Forms, Causes and Treatment. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.midlandstech.edu/lib/midlands/docDetail.action?docID=10670910
"What Is Depression? | Understanding Sadness and Clinical Depression." WebMD. WebMD, 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. .