Depression is sometimes considered the common cold of mental health problems. It strikes the rich and poor, the young and old, and people of all ethnic backgrounds. Someone that is depressed may not enjoy life or may feel hopeless about the future. Depression is a serious disorder that is different from the normal periods of sadness that everyone can sometimes experience; depression lasts longer and usually does not go away on its own. There are two main types of depression:

• Situational depression has an apparent cause, even though the reaction to it may be excessive or prolonged. Factors that may lead to situational depression include bereavement, divorce, personal or economic problems, inability to cope with a life transition, an illness, side effects from medication, or drug or alcohol abuse.

• Clinical Depression can develop for no apparent reason and without a trigger. Suddenly, or gradually over time, it can seem like there is no point to anything and as if the future is bleak, yet it is difficult to pinpoint a reason or cause of the depression. This type of depression can be so severe that all one thinks about is suicide, or it can include a state of mania, as is common in people with bipolar disorder.

Even mild depression stifles spontaneity and creativity and can affect relationships with family and friends, as well as job performance. If it persists long enough, it almost inevitably produces physical symptoms such as weight loss or gain, poor appetite, fatigue, irritability, stomach problems, impotence or lack of sex drive, and insomnia. Depression is now understood to be mediated by brain chemistry and is not different from any other chemically caused and remediable illness. It is highly treatable, primarily through psychotherapy and medications, but in order to benefit from therapy, one must first realize that he or she is depressed and seek treatment.

Defining Depression

The American Psychiatric Association's definition of depression states that it must consist of at least five of the symptoms listed below that last for a prolonged length of time:

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly everyday
• Loss of pleasure in daily activities
• Excessive crying
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Change in mobility or activity levels either by slowing down and experiencing fatigue or exhibiting nervous and agitated behavior
• Feelings of worthlessness, self reproach, and excessive guilt
• Diminished ability to concentrate
• Sleep problems, including insomnia or wanting to sleep all of the time
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or attempts at suicide

No one knows exactly why depression occurs, but it has been established that there is a clear link between brain chemistry and depression. Medical illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, thyroid imbalance, strokes, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer can also cause and increase the likelihood of depression. Other factors that may cause or contribute to depression include a history of physical abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, certain medications, genetic predispositions, serious physical illness, and substance abuse.

Women experience depression more often than men, being caught in a cycle of despair and passivity and having a lower sense of control over their lives. Children are also particularly sensitive to depression, and it is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults. Many times, children can't concentrate in school and suffer from poor grades, have low self-esteem, experience difficulty with peer relationships, or experience severe anxiety. Sorting out normal behavior versus clinical mood disorders can be more complicated in children than in adults because adults have the ability to point to and sometimes even control the factors that are causing or contributing to their depression. Children, on the other hand, may not know how they are supposed to feel and may have been sad for as long as they remember. They may have difficulty communicating their feelings, and the depression often manifests itself in physical symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches. Children also do not have control over many of the things that may be triggering their depression, especially divorce, death, or parental neglect. Therefore, identifying, understanding, and treating children with depression are often the responsibility of important adults in their lives.