Major Depressive Disorder
An abnormal behavior:
What is major depression?
Major depression, aslo called clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is a constant sense of hopelessness and despair. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life isn't worth living. Depression isn't a weakness, or something that you can simply "snap out" of.
Facts About Depression
- More than 20 million people in the United States suffer from depression in a given year.
- At some point in their lives, about one in four Americans will experience depression.
- As many as 15% of those who suffer from some form of depression take their lives each year.
- Approximately 80% sufferers of depression are not receiving treatment.
- Depression often presents itself in four ways: mood changes, cognitive changes, physical changes, and behavioral changes.
- The color blue can actually trigger depression.