Depression

What is depression?

Feelings of sadness and a lost of interest that

interferes with your daily life.

Where to seek help

Dealing with depression can be very isolating.

But if youre having a hard time handling your
depression alone, there are many organizations
that can help you. If youre thinking of harming
yourself or others, seek help right away. In the
U.S., dial 911 or contact the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Many
cities and states also have local support lines
and can put you in touch with professionals who
can help you.

Symptoms of Depression

Fatigue and decreased energy

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or
helplessness
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or
excessive sleeping
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once
pleasurable, including sex
Overeating or appetite loss
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details,
and making decisions
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps,
or digestive problems that do not ease even with
treatment.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Always talking or thinking about death
A sudden switch from being very sad to being

very calm or appearing to be happy

Clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of
interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets
worse
Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking
risks that could lead to death, such as driving
through red lights
Losing interest in things one used to care about
Making comments about being hopeless,
helpless, or worthless
Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends,
changing a will
Saying things like "It would be better if I
wasn't here" or "I want out"
Talking about suicide (killing one's self)
Visiting or calling people one cares about

11 Facts About Depression

1 in 4 young adults will suffer an episode of
depression before age 24.
Women are 2 times as likely to suffer from

depression than men.

People who are depressed are more prone to
illnesses like colds than non-depressed
people.
Continuous exposure to violence, neglect,
abuse, or poverty may make people who
are already susceptible to depression all the
more vulnerable to the illness.
Roughly 20 million people in the United
States suffer from depression every year.
There are interrelationships between
depression and physical health. For example,
cardiovascular disease can lead to depression
and vice versa.
Depression affects all people regardless of age,
geographic location, demographic, or social
position.
The World Health Organization estimates that
depression will be the 2nd highest medical
cause of disability by the year 2030, 2nd only
to HIV/AIDS.
Many creative individuals experienced

depression, including Ludwig van Beethoven,

John Lennon, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain,
Georgia OKeefe, Vincent van Gogh, Ernest
Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Sylvia
Plath.
Over 8% of adolescents in the United States
suffer from depression at a given time.
Depression is a common mental disorder.
Globally, more than 350 million people of all
ages suffer from depression.