What it is: Feelings of depression that persist for at least two weeks and interfere with the ability to function--not just feeling "blue." One of the most common mental illnesses, depression tends to run in families and can strike at any age. Depressive disorder is any form of depression serious enough to require treatment. There are several forms of depression, including bipolar, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), unipolar, and dysthymic disorder (neurotic depression), and they can overlap with one another.
Symptoms:
frequent sadness or crying
feelings of hopelessness
lack of energy, feelings of fatigue and "burnout"
feelings of worthlessness and of inappropriate guilt
lessened pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
persistent boredom
social isolation and poor communication
recurring suicidal thoughts, wishing to die, or attempting suicide
increased irritability, anger, or hostility
physical symptoms like frequent complaints of headaches and stomachaches
inability to concentrate or indecisiveness
change in appetite and unexplained significant weight loss or gain
change in sleeping patterns
Treatment: One of the most treatable mental illnesses; between 80 and 90% of all depressed people respond to treatment, which consists of psychotherapy or antidepressants (tricyclics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoaminine oxidase inhibitors, and lithium), or both. The usual treatment for SAD is light therapy.
