Also called: Also called: Clinical depression, Dysthymic disorder, Major depressive disorder, Unipolar depression
Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Symptoms can include
- Sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Change in weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Energy loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Depression can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.
There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants and talk therapy. Most people do best by using both.
National Institute of Mental Health
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Depression
(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read.shtml
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Depression
(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/depression/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/depressionspanish/htm/index.htm
- Depression(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/faq/depression.cfm
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Depression(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml
Also available in Spanish http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/depresion/summary.shtml
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Depression(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
- Depression (Major Depression)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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JAMA Patient Page: Depression(American Medical Association) - Links to PDF - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/300/18/2202.pdf
- COPD Raises Risk of Depression(01/21/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_74047.html
- Some Teens More Prone to Depression from Bullying(01/15/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_73842.html
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New Guidelines Issued for Diagnosis and Management of Post-Myocardial Infarction Depression(01/13/2009, American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/newsreleases-statements-2009/post-mi-depression-guidelines.html
- With Depression, Vets Face Higher Suicide Risk(01/12/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_73720.html
- Treatment Works: Get Help for Depression and Anxiety(12/22/2008, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Depression/
- More News on Depression http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_d.html#depression
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Dual Diagnosis and Recovery(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_publications_dualdiag
Also available in Spanish http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/ddspanish.pdf
- How Is Depression Diagnosed?(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8596/35222/362840.html?d=dmtContent
- Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Signs_symptoms
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Cognitive Therapy(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/882.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/882.printerview.html
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy(NAMI) - http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7952
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Depression: Treatment with Electroconvulsive Therapy(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/058.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/058.printerview.html
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/electroconvulsive-therapy/MY00129/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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How to Find Help through Psychotherapy(American Psychological Association) - http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=52
Also available in Spanish http://www.centrodeapoyoapa.org/articulos/articulo.php?id=52
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MedlinePlus: Antidepressants(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antidepressants.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/antidepressants.html
- Psychotherapy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/psychotherapy/MY00186/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/MY00185/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Understanding Hospitalization for Mental Health(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_publications_hospital
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St. John's Wort and Depression(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm
- Food and Mood(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - Links to PDF - http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/foodmoode2.pdf
- Coping with Unexpected Events: Depression and Trauma(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_publications_trauma
- Depression in College(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-in-college
- Depression: Supporting a Family Member or Friend with Depression(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/depression/MH00016/METHOD=print
- What to Do When Depression Enters a Relationship(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/depression/what-to-do-when-depression-enters-a-relationship
- Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/depression-and-exercise/MH00043/METHOD=print
- Next Steps: Getting the Treatment You Need to Reach Real Recovery(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - Large PDF file - http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/NextSteps.pdf
- Staying Well Once Your Depression Is Treated(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8596/35226/363129.html?d=dmtContent
- 'Clinical' Depression: What Does That Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/clinical-depression/AN01057/METHOD=print
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Dysthymic Disorder: When Depression Lingers(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/depression/054.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/mentalhealth/depression/054.printerview.html
- Mood Disorders(Center for Mental Health Services) - http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0049/default.asp
- Treatment-Resistant Depression: Explore Options When Depression Won't Go Away(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/treatment-resistant-depression/DN00016/METHOD=print
- Anxiety and Depression: What to Do When You Have Both(Anxiety Disorders Association of America) - http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/MFarchives/MonthlyFeatures(september).asp
- Breaking Down the Myths about Depression(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/backtocampus/depression
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Depression (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/depression/Patient/page2
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/depresion/Patient/page2
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Depression After a Heart Attack(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/heartdisease/recovery/702.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/heartdisease/recovery/702.printerview.html
- Depression and African Americans(Mental Health America) - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-and-african-americans/
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Depression and HIV(New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center) - Links to PDF - In English and Spanish - http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/558?lang=eng
Also available in Spanish http://aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/558?lang=spa
- Depression and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?articleid=92&zoneid=16
- Depression in the Workplace(Mental Health America) - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-in-the-workplace
- Finding a Mental Health Professional: A Personal Guide(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - Links to PDF - http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/finding.pdf
- Holiday Depression & Stress(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/depression/holiday-depression-and-stress
- How Does Depression Develop?(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8596/35215/362664.html?d=dmtContent
- Stigma of Depression(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8596/35226/363127.html?d=dmtContent
- Depression Screening(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_depressionscreener
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Depression(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/depression/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/depressionspanish/htm/index.htm
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If I Had - A Family Member with Psychotic Depression(Insidermedicine) - http://www.insidermedicine.com/Archives/If_I_Had_-_A_Family_Member_With_Psychotic_Depression_-_Dr_James_Potash_MD_1986.aspx?p=mdlnp
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Depression(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Depression%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysthymic Disorder(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Dysthymic+Disorder%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Mood Disorders(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Mood+Disorders%22
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Adolescents with Depression Not Harmed in Studies Using Placebo(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/adolescents-with-depression-not-harmed-in-studies-using-placebo.shtml
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Depression Patients' Brain Circuitry Makes Them Vulnerable to Relapse(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/depression-patients-brain-circuitry-makes-them-vulnerable-to-relapse.shtml
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New Therapies Show Promise for Vascular Depression(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/new-therapies-show-promise-for-vascular-depression-heart-metabolic-risks-of-some-antipsychotic-medications-flagged.shtml
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Results for Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) Study(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/trials/practical/stard/index.shtml
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Studies Identify Subtle Genetic Changes' Risk for Mental Disorders(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/studies-identify-subtle-genetic-changes-risk-for-mental-disorders-may-lead-to-targets-for-new-better-therapies.shtml
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Use of Drugs to Treat Depression: Guidelines from the American College of Physicians(American College of Physicians) - Links to PDF - http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/149/10/I-56.pdf
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Investigating the molecular basis of major depressive disorder etiology: a... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19120090&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Postpartum depression strikes new dads as well as moms. After... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19049013&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Depressive symptoms and change in abdominal obesity in older persons. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19047525&tool=MedlinePlus
- Depression -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(depression[majr]+OR+(depressive+disorder[majr]+NOT+seasonal+affective+disorder[mh]+OR+depression,postpartum[mh]))+NOT+antidepressive+agents[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+systematic[sb])+NOT+(case+reports[pt]+OR+letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Glossary of Depression-Related Terms(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/depression/hic_glossary_of_depression-related_terms.aspx
- Find a Psychologist(National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology) - http://www.findapsychologist.org/
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Getting Help: Locate Services(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/getting-help-locate-services/index.shtml
- Mental Health Services Locator(Center for Mental Health Services) - http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/
- American Psychiatric Association - http://www.psych.org/
- Center for Mental Health Services - http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
- Mental Health America - http://www.nmha.org/
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National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
- Co-occurring Disorders and Depression(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/depression/co-occurring-disorders-and-depression
- Depression among Adults(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/depression/depression.htm
- Major Depressive Episode among Youths Aged 12 to 17: 2004 to 2006(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/youthDepress/youthDepress.htm
- Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21 to 39(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.htm
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Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america.shtml
- Treatment for Past Year Depression among Adults(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/depression/depressionTX.htm
- Children's Depression Checklist(Mental Health America) - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/children-s-depression-checklist
- Depression in Children: How Is It Treated?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/depression-treatment/AN00685/METHOD=print
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Treatment of Children with Mental Disorders(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/treatment-of-children-with-mental-disorders/summary.shtml
- Understanding Depression(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/understanding_depression.html
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Why Am I So Sad?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/thought/sadness.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/sentimientos/sadness_esp.html
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Depression(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/depression.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/mente/depression_esp.html
- Depression in Teens(Mental Health America) - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-in-teens
- Depression and Erectile Dysfunction(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/depression/hic_depression_and_erectile_dysfunction.aspx
- Male Depression: Understanding the Issues(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/male-depression/MC00041/METHOD=print
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Men and Depression(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/men-and-depression/index.shtml
Also available in Spanish http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/los-hombres-y-la-depresion-folleto/summary.shtml
- Depression in Women: Understanding the Gender Gap(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/depression/MH00035/METHOD=print
- Pregnancy Pointers for Women with Psychiatric History(NAMI) - http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Pregnancy_Pointers_for_Women_with_Psychiatric_History.htm
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Women and Depression: Discovering Hope(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-every-woman-should-know/summary.shtml
Also available in Spanish http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/depresin-lo-que-toda-mujer-debe-saber/summary.shtml
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Depression(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/depression.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol/Publicaciones/depresión.htm
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Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/older-adults-depression-and-suicide-facts.shtml
- Antidepressants - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antidepressants.html
- Bipolar Disorder - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bipolardisorder.html
- Mental Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealth.html
- Postpartum Depression - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html
- Seasonal Affective Disorder - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html
- Suicide - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/suicide.html
- Mental Health and Behavior - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealthandbehavior.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Depression is the National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Depression - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/depression.html