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From the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health

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 is a disorder of the brain. There are a variety of causes, including genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical factors. Depression usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and 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.

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Results 1 - 10 of 3,190 for depression
  1. Depression (National Library of Medicine)  
    Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of ... million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depression.html - Health Topics
  2. Postpartum Depression (National Library of Medicine)  
    ... do not need treatment. The symptoms of postpartum depression last longer and are more severe. You may ... treatment right away, often in the hospital. Postpartum depression can begin anytime within the first year after ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html - Health Topics
  3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (National Library of Medicine)  
    ... disorder, or SAD. SAD is a type of depression. It usually lifts during spring and summer. Not ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html - Health Topics
  4. Depression Interactive Tutorial (Patient Education Institute)  
    ... you love who may be suffering from depression. Depression Feeling blue or sad is a normal reaction ... Last reviewed: 9/1/2010 2 Causes of Depression Combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors can ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/.../tutorials/depression/htm/index.htm - Videos and Tutorials
  5. Major depression 
    Depression - major; Unipolar depression; Major depressive disorder ... The exact cause of depression is not known. Many researchers believe it is caused by chemical changes in the brain. This may be due to ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  6. Major depression with psychotic features 
    Psychotic depression; Delusional depression ... is unknown. A family or personal history of depression or psychotic illness makes you more likely to ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000933.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  7. Postpartum depression 
    Depression - postpartum; Postnatal depression ... Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007215.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  8. Dysthymia 
    Neurotic depression (dysthymia); Dysthymic disorder; Chronic depression; Depression - chronic ... dysthymia will also have an episode of major depression at some point in their lives. Dysthymia in ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000918.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  9. Depression (Major Depression) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)  
    ... may be reprinted for personal, noncommercial use only. Depression (major depression) By Mayo Clinic staff Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175 Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Complications Preparing ...
    www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/METHOD=print - External Health Links
  10. Depression - elderly 
    Depression in the elderly ... of life changes can increase the risk for depression, or make existing depression worse. Some of these changes are: A move ...
    www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001521.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
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