Inc. All Rights Reserved. Depressive feelings such as discouragement or sadness are perfectly normal if they do not become too severe or last too long. Depression becomes a clinical problem if a person s mood becomes too depressed or if the episode lasts more than two weeks. Similar to other illnesses, such as heart problems, asthma, or diabetes, depression can become severe and disabling.
Depression tends to occur in families.
If someone is depressed, it is at least twice as likely that a close relative has had or will have depression. Anyone, male or female, can get depressed. However, in the United States, women become depressed about twice as often as men. Depression can strike a person at any age. Even small children can become depressed if they experience a serious loss such as the death of a parent.