Everyone has periods in their lives when they feel sad or blue. When these feelings persist and even interfere with your ability to function, it is time to consider that you might be experiencing clinical depression. In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. Symptoms may include:
These symptoms may co-exist with or even be caused by physical illnesses.
Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.
It is very important to talk with a professional to determine the causes of your symptoms. A psychologist can help to diagnose depression, recommend appropriate medical consultations when necessary, and treat the emotional components of depression. Research has shown that psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for depression.
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