Depression is a health condition that causes you to feel prolonged periods of sadness or hopelessness. Approximately 14.8 million American adults suffer from depression, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Causes

Some people with depression suffer from imbalanced of certain chemicals in the brain, while others develop the condition after a life event, such as loss of a loved one or diagnosis of a chronic disease. There is also a genetic link to depression causes the condition to run in families, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of depression include loss of interest in everyday activities, unprovoked crying spells, sleeping more or less than usual, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, irritability, restlessness, feeling weak, decreased libido and thought of suicide or self-harm.

Time Frame

Doctors define depression as a period that lasts continuously for more than two weeks.

Treatments

Doctors often prescribe antidepressant medications for the treatment of depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or MAO inhibitors. Counseling or psychotherapy also helps patients with depression explore the causes for their feelings and learn to cope with depression.

Risks

Untreated depression often results in drug or alcohol abuse, problems at work or school and strains on personal relationships. People who suffer from depression are also more likely to develop certain conditions like heart disease, warns the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Depression

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Statistics

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Depression