Overview:

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Depression can be heritability (approximately 40%) when first-degree relatives (parents/children/siblings) have depression. Studies show one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. 

 

Depression Common Symptoms:

Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

Feeling worthless or guilty

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Changes in appetite

Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions

Depression Common Treatment:

Your doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms of depression, such as:

 

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)